STEP 10: MOWER DECK ADJUSTMENT (LEVELNESS) SIDE to SIDE and FRONT to REAR
Before making deck leveling adjustments, inflate rear tires to 12 PSI and front tires to 25 PSI. When adjusted correctly, the deck will be level side to side within 1/8”, have a low cut setting of approximately 1”
A. Place machine on a smooth level surface.
B. Check blade tips by rotating blades until tips are pointing to the sides of the deck. Check the measurement of outside blade tips to the ground on both blades. The measurement of each of the outside blade tips should be within 1/8” of each other. If measurement of the blade tips is not within 1/8”, adjustment should be made to the correct measure- ment.
C. Move deck lift lever and set the mower deck to the highest cutting position.
D. Relieve tension on deck lift assist spring by loosening nut on eyebolt.
E. Place 1” blocks
F. Set the mower deck to the lowest cutting position until deck rests on the blocks.
G. Loosen the top nuts that secure both front deck support eyebolts. Adjust bottom nuts until eyebolts are tight, then retighten top nuts.
H. Loosen the bottom nuts that secure both rear deck support eyebolts. Adjust top nuts until eyebolts are tight, then tighten bottom nuts securely.
I. Set the mower deck to the transport position and recheck side to side blade tip dimensions. The difference between the two should be 1/8” or less.
NOTE: The deck timing rod (rod that runs from front deck lift arm to rear deck lift arm) is preset at the factory and requires no adjustments.
J. The leveling blocks used in Step E should result in a prop- er deck pitch. If a pitch adjustment is required, use the two rear deck support eyebolts. Adjust up or down as required. K. Reinstall deck lift assist spring. Place deck in transport position. Tighten nut on eyebolt until
STEP 11: HYDRAULIC OIL RESERVOIR
Check the level of the fluid in both of the fluid reservoirs. The reservoirs are located underneath the operator’s seat. Wipe away all dirt and debris from around reservoir cap before removing. Oil must remain absolutely clean! Check with machine on a level surface with engine “OFF”. Fill reservoir as needed to bring level up. The reservoir is properly filled when the fluid level is 1½” below the top of the filler neck. DO NOT OVER FILL. Use clean, fresh premium automotive oil having a viscosity equivalent to SAE 20W50 API SL. The fluid should be chemically stable, incorporating rust and oxi- dation inhibitors. Make sure funnels, pouring spouts and oil can are completely clean. Reinstall reservoir cap.
IMPORTANT:
STEP 12: TRACKING ADJUSTMENT – TWIN STICK CONTROLS
Start machine. If the machine does not track straight when the Motion Control Levers are in the maximum forward speed position, perform the following adjustment. Rear tire pressure must be set to 12 PSI before making this adjustment.
A. Loosen bolts that secure adjustment plates and slide plates all the way forward. Retighten bolts.
B. Start machine and drive in smooth flat open area at maximum forward speed.
C. If machine tracks to the right, loosen bolts that secure the left adjustment plate. Move plate rearward to slow the left wheel. Retighten bolts.
D. If machine tracks to the left, loosen bolts that secure the right adjustment plate. Move plate rearward to slow the right wheel down. Retighten bolts. See Figure 6.
E. Drive machine again. Repeat adjustment as necessary until machine tracks straight.
LOOSEN BOLTS,
SLIDE PLATE TO
MAKE MACHINE
TRACK STRAIGHT 
RIGHT SIDE MOTION CONTROL LEVER
ADJUSTMENT
PLATE
FIGURE 6
3
