Craftsman CTX 9000 Operator's Manual

Servicing the Mower BladesWARNINGFor your personal safety, do not handle the sharpmower blades with bare hands. Careless or improperhandling of blades may result in serious injury.WARNINGFor your personal safety, blade mounting capscrewsmust each be installed with a hex/spline washer andspring washer, then securely tightened. Torque blademounting capscrew to 50-60 ft-lbs (68-81 Nm).NOTE: Mower blades must be aligned perpendicular to eachother.1. Remove mower deck (see Removing the MowerDeck).2. To remove blade, use a block of wood to prevent bladerotation while loosing the capscrew (see Figure 28).3. Remove capscrew (A, Figure 29), spring washer (B)and blade.4. Use a file to sharpen blade to a fine edge. if blade isdamaged, it must be replaced.5. Balance the blade as shown in Figure 30. Place thecenter hole of the blade on a nail lubricated with a dropof oil. A balanced blade will remain level.6. Reinstall the blade (Figure 29) with the airlifts pointingup toward the mower deck as shown.7. Reinstall the spring washer (B) and capscrew (A). Usea wooden block (C) to prevent blade rotation whiletightening the capscrew (A) to 50-60 ft-lbs (68-81 Nm).LOOSENFigure 28Figure 29Figure 3027