Full Product Manual

15Section 4 — Product care
Deck
Note: Check the tractor’s tire pressure before
performing any deck leveling adjustments. Refer
to Tires, in the Assembly & Set-Up section for more
information regarding tire pressure.
Front-to-Rear Levelling
It is possible to adjust the pitch of the cutting deck.
The front of the deck should be between 0” (level)
and ¼” lower than the rear of the deck. Adjust if
necessary as follows:
1. With the tractor parked on a firm, level
surface, place the deck lift lever in the
middle position and rotate the blade so that
it is aligned with the front and rear of the
tractor.
2. Measure the distance from the front of
the blade tip to the ground and the rear
of the blade tip to the ground. The first
measurement taken should be between
0” (level) and ¼” less than the second
measurement. Determine the approximate
distance necessary for proper adjustment
and proceed, if necessary, to the next step.
3. Locate the flange lock nut (a) on the front
end of the PTO lift rod (b). See Figure 4-5.
(a)
(b)
Figure 4-5
• Tighten the fla nge lock nut (a) to
raise the front of the deck.
• Loosen the flange lock nut (a) to
lower the front of the deck.
Tires
Refer to the Assembly & Set-Up section for more
information regarding tire pressure.
Service
Cutting Deck Removal
To remove the cutting deck, proceed as follows:
1. Remove power key and engage the parking
brake.
2. Lower the deck by moving the deck lift lever
into the lowest (#1) position on the right
fender.
3. Remove the bow-tie cotter pin (a) and flat
washer (b) from the deck lift assembly, and
retain for reinstallation later. See Figure 4-6.
(a)
(b)
Figure 4-6
4. Disconnect the deck motor(s) from the
adapters on the underside of the tractor.
Rotate the collar on the larger connector (a)
counterclockwise and carefully pull apart.
Repeat the procedure with the smaller
connector (b). See Figure 4-7.
(a)
(b)
Figure 4-7
5. Remove the remaining bow-tie cotter pins (a)
securing the deck to the tractor, as shown in
Figure 4-8.
(a)
(a)
Figure 4-8
6. Unplug the wire connector (a) from the safety
switch (b) at the rear of the chute opening.
See Figure 4-9.
(a)
(b)
Figure 4-9
7. Move the deck lift lever into the highest
(#5) position on the right fender to raise the
deck lift arms up and out of the way.
8. Gently slide the cutting deck (from the left
side) out from underneath the tractor.
Cutting Deck Installation
1. Raise the deck lift lever into the highest (#5)
position on the right fender to move the
deck lift arms out of the way.
2. Gently slide the cutting deck (from the left
side) back under the tractor.
3. Plug the wire connector (a) into the safety
switch (b) at the rear of the chute opening.
See Figure 4-9.
Note: Be sure to securely reconnect the wire
connector to the safety switch in Figure 4-9,
you tractor will not start or operate without
the safety switch properly connected.
4. Lower the deck lift lever to the lowest (#1)
position.
5. Secure the deck to the deck lift arms using
two bow-tie cotter pins. See Figure 4-8.
Note: The bow-tie cotter pins (a) should be
installed from the top down.
6. Reconnect the deck motors on the
underside of the tractor. Always connect the
larger connector first and then the smaller
connector. See Figure 4-7.
Note: When reconnecting the deck motors,
you must be sure that the connections are
secure.
Blade(s)
WARNING
Shut the tractor off, engage parking brake and remove power
key before removing the cutting blade(s) for sharpening or
replacement. Protect your hands by using heavy gloves when
grasping the blade.
WARNING
Periodically inspect the blade(s) and/or spindle for cracks or
damage, especially after you’ve struck a foreign object. Do not
operate the machine until damaged components are replaced.
CAUTION
If the cutting edge of the blade(s) has previously been
sharpened, or if any metal separation is present, replace
the blade(s).