How to Perform the Tracking Adjustment

How to Change the Speed/Sensitivity

Adjustment

The controls are initially set with the Speed/ Sensitivity Adjustment in the faster, more sensitive position. If an operator is not completely familiar with mower operation the operator may desire to decrease

the ground speed approximately 25-30%. The slower setting has a corresponding decrease in the sensitivity of the controls. In other words, a given amount of movement of the control levers will cause about a 25-30% decrease in the ground speed making the controls less sensitive. After stopping the engine, the adjustment is made by removing rod ends connected to the control rods from the current holes in the control levers and reinstalling them into the alternate holes. The top holes closest to the control handles are for the faster, more sensitive setting and the bottom holes farthest from the control handles are the slower, less sensitive setting. You must then perform the Tracking Adjustment described below.

First ensure that the tire pressure is equal on both rear drive tires and equal on both front tires. Drive the mower on a level parking lot with engine at full throttle. Check that the mower drives in a straight line when both hand controls are held to the full speed position which is up against the stationary control bar. If not, park the mower and stop the engine. Before proceeding to adjusting the mower tracking, check and make sure both controls move freely through the forward and reverse range. Make sure that debris has not hindered the movement of the upper and lower control rods and linkages. If all control linkages move freely and mower tracking is off, proceed to the next step.

It is essential to start with the lower (and shorter) control rods located near the pumps. With the control levers in the neutral position, the right and left lower control rod should be adjusted to allow their respective torsion bar to remain level at the end connected to the lower control rod. Specifically, with the pump in the Return-To-Neutral position, the lower rod end should be at the same height as the rigidly fixed ball joint connected on the same end of the torsion rod. Perform this adjustment on both the right and left side. Now that the lower end of both torsion rods are level, proceed to the upper control rods connected to the control levers.

Loosen the jam nuts on both ends of the upper control rod. Note: the Speed Sensitivity setting

should be set to the fast position. See previous section. Before changing the length of the control rods several facts are important to know.

In the faster Speed/Sensitivity setting neither cable should be shortened so much that at full speed it pulls the pump control lever (on the sides of the pumps) against the pump’s internal stop. The pumps have an internal stop that is not designed to take this type of force and could eventually cause pump leakage or other damage to the pump. Therefore, to reach the maximum capable speed, the rods should be lengthened one turn at a time until you can feel in the hand control that the internal stop has been contacted with the control handles in the maximum forward position. Then shorten the cable one turn. This will enable the stationary bar to stop the control handle and protect the internal pump stop from damage. Remember, this procedure does not apply if the Speed/Sensitivity Adjustment is in the slower setting.

So, if the mower is tracking to the left, either the left side needs to go faster (by lengthening the upper control rod on the left) or the right side needs to go slower (by shortening the upper control rod on the right). If the mower is tracking to the right, either the right side needs to go faster (by lengthening the upper control rod on the right) or the left side needs to go slower (by shortening the upper control rod on the left).

The only reference point to limit the adjustment from becoming extremely off is the relative position of the pump internal stop and the stationary bar in the faster Speed/Sensitivity setting. Therefore, if everything is extremely off either because you are installing new parts or other reasons you should only use the faster Speed/ Sensitivity setting to get the tracking to be accurate. After getting the mower to track straight, readjust the neutral adjustment , if necessary. It is normal to need to make these adjustments from time to time as the linkage breaks in or wears.

How to Test/Use the Blade Clutch/Brake

Switch

Before testing the blade clutch/brake operation, make sure the area is clear and there is nothing vulnerable to thrown objects from under the mower. No one should be near the mower deck or in its line of discharge. The discharge chute deflector should be in the down position. The parking brake should now be applied. Move the engine throttle to ¾ speed setting. (When mowing, the engine speed should always be at its highest setting. The engine governor will regulate the engine according to the different mowing conditions at that setting.) Place both feet firmly on the foot platform and turn on the blade clutch switch. Run blades for a minute or so. Try engaging and disengaging the blades a few times