Poulan 178500 To SET UP Your Mower for Mulching See Fig, Install Mulcher Plate See Fig

I M P O R T A N T : F O R S H I P P I N G P U R P O S E S , T H E MULCHER PLATE WAS PREATTACHED TO YOUR MOWER. THE MULCHER PLATE MUST ONLY BE USED WITH THE MULCHING BLADES THAT CAME PACKED SEPARATELY IN THE CARTON.

YOUR MOWER CAME FACTORY EQUIPPED WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE BLADES, WHICH ARE THE BEST BLADES FOR BAGGING AND DISCHARGING. TO USE YOUR MOWER WITH THE HIGH PERFORMANCE BLADES THE MULCHER PLATE MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE MOWER (SEE FIG. 5).

TO SET UP YOUR MOWER FOR MULCHING (See Fig. 5)

•Turn the mower over to allow access to blades.

•Remove hex bolt, lock washer and flat washer and remove high performance blades. Store in safe place.

•Install mulcher blades with trailing edge up towards deck as shown.

IMPORTANT: TO ENSURE PROPER ASSEMBLY, CENTER HOLE IN BLADE MUST ALIGN WITH STAR ON MANDREL ASSEMBLY.

•Reassemble hex bolt, lock washer and flat washer in exact order as shown.

•Tighten bolt securely (27-35 Ft. Lbs. torque).

IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED.

•Install mulcher plate if previously removed.

BLADE

CENTER

HOLE

FLAT

WASHER

LOCK

WASHER

*A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE

IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD.

FIG. 5

INSTALL MULCHER PLATE (See Fig. 6)

NOTE: Ifyouinstalledthemulching blades youwillneed to install the mulcher plate.

•Raise and hold deflector shield in upright position.

•Place front of mulcher plate over front of mower deck opening and slide into place, as shown.

•Hook front latch into hole on front of mower deck.

•Hook rear latch into hole on back of mower deck.

CAUTION:Donotremovedeflectorshield from mower. Raise and hold shield when attaching mulcher plate and allow it to rest on plate while in operation.

MULCHER

DEFLECTORPLATE SHIELD

LATCH

HOOKS

FIG. 6

TO CONVERT TO BAGGING OR

DISCHARGING

NOTE: The mulcher blades will discharge and bag grass, but for best bagging and discharging install the high performance

blades.

•Remove mulcher plate and mulcher blades and install high performance blades, (see BLADE REMOVAL in the Maintenance section of this manual)

•Store mulcher blades and mulcher plate in a safe place. Your mower is now ready for discharging or installation of optional grass catcher accessory.

INSTALL MOWER AND DRIVE BELT (See Figs. 7 and 8)

Be sure tractor is on level surface and mower suspension arms are raised with attachment lift control. Engage parking brake.

•Cut and remove ties securing anti-sway bar and belts. Swing anti-sway bar to left side of mower deck.

•Slide mower under tractor with deflector shield to right side of tractor.

IMPORTANT: Check belt for proper routing in all mower pulley grooves.

•If equipped, turn height adjustment knob counterclock- wise until it stops.

•Lower mower linkage with attachment lift control.

•Install belt into electric clutch pulley groove.

•Place the suspension arms on inward pointing deck pins. Retain with double loop retainer spring with loops down as shown.

•Install front plate assembly to tractor suspension brack- ets and retain with single loop retainer springs as shown.

•Position front plate assembly between front mower brackets. Raise deck and plate assembly to align holes and insert flanged pins. Secure pins with double loop retainer springs between the plate and mower brackets.

NOTE: To assist in locating hole in flanged pin, the hole in pin is inline with notch on head of pin. If necessary, move mower side-to-side to give space between plate and mower brackets.