Initial Adjustments, Check the fluid levels and tires

C.Initial Adjustments

1.Check the fluid levels and tires:

Note: These checks should be made daily, before starting the engine.

a.Fuel: Using a good grade of unleaded, regular gasoline (for a gasoline engine), fill the fuel tank (beside the engine on the left or right side of the mower). When the fuel reaches one inch from the top of the tank, stop. DO NOT OVERFILL. Space must be left for expansion.

b.Engine Oil: (Filled at the factory before shipment.) Pull out the oil dipstick, wipe it off and reinsert it. Pull it out again and read the oil level. If it is below the operating range, add oil through the fill tube using a funnel to bring it up to the top of the operat- ing range.

Note: Gasoline Engine: Use SAE 10W30 or SAE 10W40 engine oil, rated for service SJ. Shell Rimula 15W40 is also recommended and provides service SL and CI-4 plus.

c.Hydraulic Oil: (Filled at the factory before shipment.) The hydraulic oil tank is located beneath the operator’s seat. Always wipe off the area around the oil tank fill neck before checking the oil level to prevent dirt from contaminating the oil. Remove the cap and make sure the oil level is a 1/4” below the oil tank fill neck. If the oil level is low, fill with Shell Rimula 15W40 or equiva- lent oil. Equivalent oil should meet GM Alli- son C-4.

d.Tires: 8-10 psi Rear, 20-25 psi Front Caster Tires

Note: New tires are overinflated in order to

the procedures below to set the appropriate angle to the mowing deck.

a.Park the mower on a flat paved surface, engage the parking brake, shut off the engine, remove the key from the ignition switch, remove connection of the spark plugs and using the transport lever, lower the mowing deck into the cutting position.

b.Using a ruler, pencil and paper, measure and note the distance from the paved sur- face to the bottom edge of the mowing blade at the front and the back of the deck on each side of the mower. (Four dimen- sions.)

Note: The front edge of the mowing deck should be 1/8"-1/4" below the rear edge of the deck so that the blades are cutting grass in only the front half of their circular path. This decreases friction and reduces the drive power required.

c.If the dimension at the front of the mowing deck is 1/8"-1/4" lower than the dimension at the rear of the deck on each side of the mower, do not adjust. If not, you will need to adjust the Deck Lift Spring Assist (See Figure 5). You may also need to adjust the Deck Links (See Figure 5).

Deck Lift Spring inner nut

properly seat the bead to the rim. The normal working pressure for the traction tires is 8-10 psi. The front caster wheels should be inflated to 20-25 psi.

Figure. 5

Deck Links

2.Check that all Nuts, Bolts and Screws are Tight.

3.Check the tension of the deck drive belts.

a.Remove the deck cover

b.The tension of the deck drive belts are maintained by a spring mechanism that adjusts for wear and stretch.

c.Examine the belts for cuts, fraying, and excessive wear. Replace if any of these are detected.

d.Replace the deck cover.

4.Adjust the Mowing Deck: The cutting height is set anywhere in the range of 1-1/2" to 5". You may need to adjust the mowing deck to achieve the proper angle for mowing. Follow

d.Lower the mower deck to the cutting posi- tion. With a wrench loosen the inner rear nut on the Deck Lift Spring Assist. To adjust the deck up or down, use a wrench and with a few turns, adjust clockwise or counter clockwise the outer rear nut of the Deck Lift Spring Assist. Repeat this proce- dure on the opposite side of the Mower. Once the deck is adjusted, retighten bolts.

e.With the deck still in the cutting position, adjust the Deck Links. With a wrench loosen the top inner bolt of the Deck Link. To adjust the side of the deck up or down turn the top bolt clockwise or counter clockwise a few turns. Adjust both front and rear Deck links as necessary. Retighten nuts.