8.The final adjustment would be to set the Trailing Link by adjusting the jam nuts on the threaded link. Loosen the jam nuts and tighten the inner nut to achieve the correct length and belt tension. See Fig. 6-6.

9.In many cases it will be necessary to adjust deck height using both eyebolt adjustments and pitch adjustment to achieve the correct blade-to-ground heights. If you remember that the front right blade tip adjustment is fixed and you level to that height, adjusting the decks will be simplified.

Adjusting the Belt Tension

To tighten or loosen the tension on the belt, tighten or loosen the jam nuts on the U-rod, see Fig. 6-7, until a ten-pound pull with a spring scale deflects the belt about 1⁄2”.

Brakes

NOTE: The parking brakes normally do not need to be adjusted.

To adjust either brake individually, loosen the jam nuts on the cable near the brake arm on the transaxle. Adjust the nuts so that the brake cable becomes shorter.

Repair: The mower is equipped with internal gear/pawl brakes and will not normally require maintenance. If they are not working properly, please contact your service center.

Adjusting the Gauge Wheels

Warning! Keep hands and feet away from the discharge opening of the cutting deck.

NOTE: The deck gauge wheels are an anti-scalp feature of the deck and are not designed to support the weight of the cutting deck.

The mower deck cutting height can be set using the tractor’s deck lift pedal. The deck heights range from 1” to 4”. The deck gauge wheel position should be approximately 1⁄4 to 1⁄2” above the ground when the deck is set in the desired height setting.

Using the lift pedal, set the deck in the desired height setting, then check the gauge wheel distance from the ground below. If necessary, adjust as follows:

1.Visually check the distance between the front gauge wheels and the ground. If the gauge wheels are near or touching the ground, they should be raised. If more than 1⁄2” above the ground, they should be lowered.

2.Remove the lock nut securing one of the front gauge wheel shoulder screws to the deck. Remove the gauge wheel and hex screw. Refer to Fig. 6-7.

Lock Nut

Deck Wheel

Washer

Hex Screw

Wheel Spacer

Figure 6-7

3.Insert the hex screw into the one of three index holes in the front gauge wheel bracket that will give the gauge wheel a 1⁄4” to 1⁄2” clearance with the ground.

4.Note the index hole of the just adjusted wheel, and adjust the other gauge wheels into the respective index holes of the other gauge wheel brackets on the deck.

28Section 6— Maintenance & Adjustments