•Rotate the axle shaft until first tab on the right side of the axle shaft clears the hole in the right pivot bar. Rotate further until second tab on the right side of the axle shaft locks into the hole in the same pivot bar. The tab on the left side of the axle shaft should hit on the surface of the left pivot bar.
•Place one spacer on the rear axle, then one wave washer.
•Place wheel assembly on end of axle. Secure with one flat washer and one hex jam nut. Tighten securely.
•Repeat above steps to assemble the other wheel and then place all four height adjusters in the same relative position.
Attaching Struts (If Equipped)
Carriage
Bolt
Lock | Saddle | |
Washer | ||
Washer | ||
| ||
| Strut | |
Hex | Hex Nut | |
| ||
Nut |
|
Bell
Washer
Hex Screw 
Figure 10
•Once the upper handle is secured, removed the wing nut from one side of the of the handle and discard. See Figure 10.
•Holding the carriage bolt that is already placed on the handle, place saddle washer, and then strut over the carriage bolt.
•Place the lock washer and the hex nut over the bolt threading only a few turns, just enough to hold the handle.
•Repeat on other side.
Attach the other end of struts as follows:
Attach End of |
Struts Here |
Figure 11
•Place one flat washer over carriage bolt.
•Insert carriage bolt up through hole in deck beside the engine and through the strut. Secure with lock washer and hex nut from the hardware pack.
Repeat step on the other side. See Figure 11.
•Tighten all nuts and bolts on both ends of the strut securely.
Removing Chute Retainer
The chute deflector on your mower is held in an upright position by a retainer for shipping purposes only. Remove the retainer, following steps below, before running the mower for the first time.
•Push the chute deflector up and towards the engine. Holding the deflector in this position, remove the retainer. See Figure 12.
•Lower the chute deflector carefully to its operating position keeping your fingers out of the way.
Raise Chute |
Deflector |
Remove |
Retainer |
Figure 12
WARNING: The chute retainer must be removed and discarded before operating the mower.
Installing Mulching Baffle
If your mower is equipped with the optional mulching baffle, install it following instructions below.
•Insert the mulching baffle so that the notches at the bottom of the baffle sit firmly on the lip of the deck opening. See Figure 13.
•Slide the hooks of the baffle over the hinge pin on the discharge chute. Make sure that the hooks snaps into place, locking the mulching baffle firmly on to the mower.
•Release the chute deflector.
| Hinge Pin | ||
|
| Chute | |
|
| Deflector | |
Baffle | Insert Notches | Baffle | |
Hook | |||
Hook | |||
| on Top of Lip | ||
|
| ||
Figure 13
10