Attaching Rear Lift Rod Assembly

NOTE: The forward end of the rear lift rod assemblies should already have been attached to the subframe lift arms. If not yet attached, refer to the instructions at the beginning of this section to attach the forward ends of the rod assemblies.

The rearward end of the rear lift rod assemblies must be connected to the just installed RH and LH lift bracket assemblies. The lift rod assemblies were pre-adjusted at the factory, but will require additional adjustment after installation.

To connect the lift rod assemblies to the lift bracket assemblies, proceed as follows:

•Check that the LH and RH subframe rear lift arms are pinned up in their respective lockout brackets on the subframe assemblies (Refer to Figure 9). If the lift arms are not locked in the up position, manually pivot the rear lift arms forward and upward until each arm is up inside the lockout bracket on the subframe. Remove the lockout pin from the storage holes in each subframe assembly and insert the lockout pin fully through the lockout bracket, beneath the rear lift arm, to secure the lift arm in the up position. See Figure 9.

Storage

Hole

Clevis Pin

LH Subframe

Rear Lift Arm

Lockout

Bracket

Figure 9

•From the back of the tractor, check that the two lower 3-point hitch links are level side to side and that both are held inward by the sway chains and spring. If the hitch links are not level, follow the instructions in the tractor operator’s manual to adjust the RH lift link to level the hitch links.

WARNING!: Follow all warnings and procedures provided in the tractor operator’s manual for safely starting the tractor engine.

•Start the tractor engine and use the 3-point hitch control lever (refer to the tractor operator’s manual) to raise the lower 3-point hitch links to their highest position. Stop the engine.

NOTE: If the 3-point hitch links move very slowly, refer to the tractor operator’s manual and check the tractor hydraulic flow control/stop knob adjustment.

•Working at either the right, or left, rear of the tractor, grasp the rear lift rod assembly and pull the rod as necessary to align the ball joint hole with the hole at the bottom of the lift bracket. Refer to Figure 10.

NOTE: If a lift rod assembly is too short to align the ball joint and lift bracket holes, refer to “Adjusting the Rear Lift Rod Assemblies” below and turn the rod as shown in Figure 11 to lengthen the rod assembly as needed to connect to the lift bracket.

•Slide a flat washer (7) onto the hex screw (6) and insert the hex screw through the ball joint. Slide a second flat washer

(7) onto the hex screw, and insert the screw through the lift bracket. Secure with the hex lock nut (8). See Figure 10.

 

Lift Bracket

 

Assembly

 

Rear

 

Lift Rod

Hex

 

Lock Nut

 

Flat Washer

Flat Washer

 

RH Thread

Hex screw

Ball Joint

 

Figure 10

•Move to the other side of the tractor and repeat the previous instructions to connect the rear lift rod to the lift bracket on the other side of the tractor.

Adjusting the Rear Lift Rod Assemblies

Proper adjustment of the lift rod assemblies is attained when, with the deck not installed and the tractor 3-point hitch links raised to their highest position, the subframe rear lift arms almost contact the upper surface of their respective subframe lockout brackets (Refer to Figure 9). To correctly adjust the rear lift rods, proceed as follows:

•Make certain the tractor 3-point hitch arms are raised to their highest postion.

•Working from the rear of the tractor, loosen the jam nut from against the right hand thread ball joint by turning the jam nut clockwise as shown in Figure 11. Turn the nut away from the ball joint.

Rear Lift

 

Bracket

Use 9/16" Wrench

 

 

on Rod Flats

 

Rear Lift Arm

 

Lengthen

 

Rod

 

Shorten

 

Rod

RH Thread

Loosen

Ball Joint

Jam Nut

 

 

Figure 11

10