FORM NO. 3319–776GB Wheel Horse 38” Side Discharge Mower for Lawn & Garden Tractors Model No. 78218 – 8900001 & Up Operator’s Manual IMPORTANT: Read this manual carefully. It contains information about your safety and the safety of others. Also become familiar with the controls and their proper use before you operate the product.
Introduction We want you to be completely satisfied with your new product, so feel free to contact your local Authorized Service Dealer for help with service, genuine replacement parts, or other information you may require. Whenever you contact your Authorized Service Dealer or the factory, always know the model and serial numbers of your product. These numbers will help the Service Dealer or Service Representative provide exact information about your specific product.
Contents Page Safety and Instruction Decals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Installing Discharge Chute and Tension Spring 3 Installing the Mower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Transport Height Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Side-to-Side Mower Leveling . . . . . . . . . . 6 Front-to-Rear Blade Slope . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Removing the Mower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Safety and Instruction Decals Safety decals and instructions are easily visible to the operator and are located near any area of potential danger. Replace any decal that is damaged or lost. ON MOWER CENTER (Part No. 93–6679) ON MOWER LEFT SIDE (Part No. 93–7319) UNDER GRASS DEFLECTOR (Part No. 93–7009) ON GRASS DEFLECTOR AND ON MOWER RIGHT SIDE (Part No.
Installation Installing Discharge Chute and Tension Spring 1. Locate items show (Fig. 1). 2. Slide rod, non-rib end, through rear discharge chute bracket. 3. Place spring, with end wires down, between discharge chute brackets, and slide rod through second discharge chute bracket. POTENTIAL HAZARD • Without the grass deflector, discharge cover, or complete grass catcher assembly mounted in place, you and others are exposed to blade contact and thrown debris.
Installation 1 Installing the Mower 1. Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the power take off (PTO), set the parking brake, and turn the ignition key to “OFF” to stop the engine. Remove the key. 4 2 2. Turn the front wheels fully to the left and raise attachment lift lever all the way to the latched position; refer to tractor Operator’s Manual. 3 1234 3. Slide the mower under the chassis from the right side (Fig. 3) and align rear mounting bushings with ends of lift arms. Figure 4 1.
Installation 10. Pull on idler pulley to relax belt tension and install mower drive belt onto the top engine drive pulley groove (Fig. 6). Note: Make sure belt is properly located in engine and deck pulleys and around idler pulley. IMPORTANT: If extreme low cut height is used install mower drive belt in bottom engine pulley groove.
Installation Side-to-Side Mower Leveling The mower blades must be level from side to side. Check the side-to-side level any time you install the mower or when you see an uneven cut on your lawn. Before you level the mower, set the air pressure in the front and rear tires to 12 psi (.85 kPa). 4. Loosen adjustment bolt on one side and rotate hanger bracket to raise or lower mower (Fig. 9). 5. After adjusting, tighten bolt and check side-to-side level.
Installation Front-to-Rear Blade Slope 3/4” to 3” Height-of-Cut Range When the mower height-of-cut is set to the 3/4” to 3” range the gage wheels contact the ground. There is a second side-to-side adjustment for this height range. 1. Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the power take off (PTO), set the parking brake, and turn the ignition key to “OFF” to stop the engine. Remove the key. 2. Set Dial-a-Height to the middle of the height-of-cut range; refer to Setting Height-of-Cut page . 3.
Installation 6. To adjust front-to rear blade level loosen jam nut on front adjustable link. (Fig. 12). 7. Rotate the bolt on front adjustable link to change front-to rear blade level (Fig. 12). Note: To raise the front of the mower, shorten the adjustable link by turning bolt clockwise. 2 1 3 1227 Figure 12 1. Adjustable link 2. Jam nut 3. Bolt 8. When front-to-rear slope is correct, tighten jam nut. Recheck side-to-side mower level; refer to Side-to-Side Mower Leveling, page 6. 9.
Installation Removing the Mower 1. 2. 3. 4. 1 Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the power take off (PTO), set the parking brake, and turn the ignition key to “OFF” to stop the engine. Remove the key. 3 Raise attachment lift, turn Dial-a-Height knob counterclockwise, all the way, and lower the attachment lift lever to the mounting position; refer to tractor Operator’s Manual. Pull on idler pulley to relax belt tension and remove mower drive belt from engine drive pulley.
Operation Operating the Power Take Off (PTO) POTENTIAL HAZARD • Without the grass deflector, discharge cover, or complete grass catcher assembly mounted in place, you and others are exposed to blade contact and thrown debris. WHAT CAN HAPPEN • Contact with rotating mower blade(s) and thrown debris will cause injury or death. The power take off (PTO) engages and disengages power to the electric clutch.
Operation Attachment Lift Lever Attachment Power Lift The attachment lift lever (Fig. 17) is used to raise and lower various attachments. The attachment power lift (optional on some models) (Fig. 18) is used to raise and lower attachments. Raising Attachments Raising Attachments 1. Depress the clutch and/or brake pedal(s) to stop the machine. 1. Turn key to the “ON” or “RUN” position (Fig. 18). 2. Pull attachment lift lever rearward until latch locks.
Operation Adjusting Dial-A-Height Adjusting Anti-Scalp Rollers The Dial-A-Height control (Fig. 17&18) is used to limit the downward travel of the attachment. The Dial-A-Height knob is rotated to change the location of this stop, up or down. The anti-scalp rollers guide the mower over uneven turf without scalping the lawn. For most cutting conditions they should be located in the lower hole. When cutting in 1-1/2” height-of-cut, or lower, move the anti-scalp rollers to the upper hole position. 1. 2.
Operation Tips for Mowing Grass Fast Throttle Setting For best mowing and maximum air circulation, operate the engine at “FAST.” Air is required to thoroughly cut grass clippings, so do not set the height-of-cut so low, as to totally surround the mower by uncut grass. Always try to have one side of the mower free from uncut grass, which allows air to be drawn into the mower.
Maintenance Service Interval Chart Service Operation Each Use Cutter Blade—check 5 Hours X Grease–Mower deck 25 Storage Hours Service X X X X Belts—check for wear/cracks Mower Housing—clean Notes X X X X Chipped Surfaces—paint Tires—check pressure Spring Service X X X X POTENTIAL HAZARD • If you leave the key in the ignition switch, someone could start the engine. WHAT CAN HAPPEN • Accidental starting of the engine could seriously injure you or other bystanders.
Maintenance Cutting Blade To assure a superior quality of cut, keep the blade(s) sharp. For convenient sharpening and replacement, you may want to have an extra blade(s). 1 2 3 POTENTIAL HAZARD • A blade that is worn or damaged could break apart and pieces could be thrown at bystanders or at you as you use the mower. WHAT CAN HAPPEN • Pieces of blade that may be thrown could 151 Figure 20 1. Cutting edge 2. Curved area 3. Wear/slot forming seriously injure or kill you or bystanders.
Maintenance Sharpening the Blade(s) Installing the Blade(s) 1. 1. Use a file to sharpen the cutting edge at both ends of the blade (Fig. 22). Maintain the original angle. The blade retains its balance if the same amount of material is removed from both cutting edges. IMPORTANT: The curved part of the blade must be pointing toward the inside of the mower to assure proper cutting. 2. 1 Install the blade, blade retainer, washer, and the blade bolt (Fig. 24).
Maintenance Greasing and Lubrication Blade Drive Belt Service Interval/Specification Removing the Blade Drive Belt Grease the machine after every 25 operating hours or once a year, whichever occurs first. Grease more frequently when operating conditions are extremely dusty or sandy. 1. Remove the mower; refer to Removing the Mower, page 9. 2. Remove the pulley cover mounting screws and pulley covers from both blade pulleys (Fig. 26). 3. Remove the belt from the pulleys (Fig. 26).
Maintenance Washing Underside of Mower 3 After each use, wash the underside of the mower to prevent grass build-up for improved mulch action and clipping dispersal. 1. 2. 2 Park the machine on a hard level surface, disengage the power take off (PTO), and turn the ignition key to “OFF” to stop the engine. 1 Screw coupling to the end of a garden hose, attach coupling to mower washout fitting, and turn water on high (Fig. 27).
Maintenance Storage 1. Clean dirt and chaff from the outside of the engine’s cylinder head fins and blower housing. Also remove grass clippings, dirt, and grime from the external parts of the entire machine, especially the engine, shrouding, and the top of the mower. IMPORTANT: You can wash the machine with mild detergent and water. Do not pressure wash the machine. Avoid excessive use of water, especially near the control panel, lights, engine, and the battery. 2.
Troubleshooting PROBLEM Abnormal vibration. Blade(s) does not rotate. Uneven cutting g height. g 20 POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTIVE ACTION 1. Cutting blade(s) is bent or unbalanced. 1. Install new cutting blade(s). 2. Blade mounting bolt is loose. 2. Tighten blade mounting bolt. 3. Engine mounting bolts are loose. 3. Tighten engine mounting bolts. 4. Loose engine pulley, idler pulley, or blade pulley. 4. Tighten the appropriate pulley. 5. Engine pulley is damaged. 5.
