SECTION 3: INSTALLING THE MULCH KIT

NOTE: Tractors with older-style cutting decks (manufactured between 1997 and 2000) do NOT have holes pre-drilled for mounting the mulch plug and deck skirts. All tractors manufactured in 2001 or later will have pre-drilled holes in the cutting deck.

Installing the Mulch Plug

The following instructions apply to both 38-inch cutting decks and 42-inch cutting decks.

Tractor’s Manufactured in 2001 or later (with pre-drilled holes)

1.Locate the square hole found in the cutting deck surface by pivoting the discharge chute upward.

2.Install the mulch plug and secure it in place with the carriage screw, bell washer and plastic wing nut as illustrated in Figure 2.

Tractor’s Manufactured Prior to 2001 (without pre-drilled holes)

1.Place the mulch plug drill guide included with this kit in place on the surface (NOT over the lip) of the mulch plug as shown in Figure 3.

2.Pivot the discharge chute upward and place the mulch plug (with the drill guide still resting in the hole on its surface) inside the discharge chute opening. The drill guide will slide smoothly over the top lip of the discharge chute opening.

3.Mark the location on the cutting deck surface through the drill guide opening with a hammer and center punch or large nail.

4.Remove the mulch plug and discard the drill guide.

5.Using a 1/8” bit, carefully drill a pilot hole into the cutting deck surface where the mark was made in the step 3.

6.Using a 9/32” bit, carefully drill out the pilot hole just made.

7.Reposition the mulch plug in place over the discharge chute opening and fasten it with the hex screw, bell washer and plastic wing nut as illustrated in Figure 4.

8.Secure the mulch plug by snugging the hex screw (NOT one of the self-tapping screws) with a 7/16- inch wrench.

Carriage Screw

Bell

Washer

Plastic Wing Nut

Figure 2

Drill Guide

Mulch Plug

Figure 3

Hex Screw

Bell

Washer

Plastic Wing Nut

Figure 4

3