FORM NO. 3319–558 Wheel Horse 38” Mower for Lawn and Garden Tractors Model No. 78216 – 8900001 & Up Model No. 78226 – 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 Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Loose Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Installing Discharge Chute and Tension Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Installing Discharge Cover (Mulching Model(s) Only) . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Installing the Mower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Transport Height Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . .
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 LEFT SIDE (Part No. 92–7110) UNDER GRASS DEFLECTOR (Part No. 92–7109) ON GRASS DEFLECTOR AND ON MOWER RIGHT SIDE (Part No. 93–1122) 2 ON MOWER CENTER (Part No.
Assembly Loose Parts Note: Use the chart below to identify parts used for assembly. DESCRIPTION QTY.
Assembly Installing Grass Deflector and Tension Spring 1. Locate items shown in Fig. 1. 2. Slide rod, non-rib end, through rear grass deflector bracket. 3. 4. POTENTIAL HAZARD • Without the grass deflector mounted in place, you and others are exposed to blade contact and thrown debris. WHAT CAN HAPPEN • Contact with rotating mower blade(s) and Place spring on rod, with end wires down, between grass deflector brackets, and slide rod through second grass deflector bracket.
Assembly Installing Discharge Cover Installing the Mower (Recycling Model(s) Only) 1. Park the tractor on a flat 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. 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. Slide the mower under the chassis from the right side (Fig.
Assembly 5. Place rear guide bushings, first left side then right, onto lift arms then slide deck left into position (Fig. 5). 8. 6. Secure deck to rear lift arms with washers and (2) 3–3/8” hairpin cotters (Fig. 5). Install adjustable link between front bracket and lift arm with (2) 3/8” washers, a 2–9/16” hairpin cotter, and a 1” cotter pin (Fig. 7). 3 2 1 4 1 2 m–3165 Figure 7 3 1234 1. Adjustable link 2. Washer (3/8”) 3. Hairpin cotter (2–9/16”) 4. Cotter pin (1”) Figure 5 1. Lift arm 2.
Assembly Transport Height Adjustment Side-to-Side Mower Leveling Transport height is set at the factory and should not need adjustment; however if the belt covers contact the footrest in the raised position, adjustment is required. 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). 1. 2.
Assembly 4. Loosen adjustment bolt on one side of tractor and rotate hanger bracket to raise or lower mower (Fig. 11). 5. After adjusting, tighten bolt and check side-to-side level. 3. Carefully rotate blade(s) side to side (Fig. 10). Measure between the outside cutting edges and the flat surface (Fig. 10). If both measurements are not within 3/16” (4.762mm), an adjustment is required. 4. Raise attachment lift lever to release pressure on the gage wheels.
Assembly Front-to-Rear Blade Slope Check the front-to-rear blade slope any time you install the mower. Before checking the slope, set air pressure in the front and rear tires to 12 psi (.85 kPa). If the front blade tip is not 0–1/8” (0–3.2 mm) lower than the rear blade tip, adjust the blade slope using the following instructions: 1. 6. To adjust front-to rear blade level loosen jam nut on front adjustable link. (Fig. 14). 7.
Assembly Removing the Mower 1. 2. 3. 4. 1 Park the tractor on a flat 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 Side Discharge or Recycling Grass Operating the Power Take Off (PTO) The power take off (PTO) engages and disengages power to the electric clutch. POTENTIAL HAZARD • Without the grass deflector, discharge cover, or bagger attachment 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.
Operation Attachment Power Lift Attachment Lift Lever The attachment power lift (on some models) (Fig. 19) is used to raise and lower attachments. The attachment lift lever (on some models) (Fig. 20) is used to raise and lower attachments. Raising Attachments Raising Attachments 1. Turn key to the “ON” or “RUN” position (Fig. 19). 1. Depress the clutch and/or brake pedal(s) to stop the machine. 2. Push the lift switch in the “UP” direction to raise the attachment lift (Fig. 19).
Operation Adjusting Dial-A-Height Adjusting Anti-Scalp Rollers The Dial-A-Height control (Fig. 20) 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 and Recycling 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 25 Hours X X Grease–Mower deck Notes X X X X X Chipped Surfaces—paint Tires—check pressure Storage Service X X Belts—check for wear/cracks Mower Housing—clean 50 Hours 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 ensure a superior quality of cut, keep the blade(s) sharp. For convenient sharpening and replacement, you may want to have an extra blade(s). 2 1 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 seriously injure or kill you or bystanders. HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD • Periodically inspect the blade for wear and damage.
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. 24). Maintain the original angle. The blade retains its balance if the same amount of material is removed from both cutting edges. Install the blade, blade retainer, washer, and the blade bolt (Fig. 26). IMPORTANT: The curved part of the blade must be pointing up to ensure proper cutting. 2. Tighten the blade bolt to 45–60 ft–lb (61–81 Nm). 1 4 Figure 24 3 2 1.
Maintenance Greasing and Lubrication Blade Drive Belt Service Interval/Specification Removing the Blade Drive Belt Grease the machine after every 50 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 10. 2. Remove the pulley cover mounting screws and pulley covers from both blade pulleys (Fig. 28). 3. Remove the belt from the pulleys (Fig. 28).
Maintenance Washing Underside of Mower 3 After each use, wash the underside of the mower to prevent grass build-up for improved recycling and clipping dispersal. 1. 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. Spread petroleum jelly on washout fitting o-ring to make coupling slide on easier and protect o-ring. 3. Lower the mower to the lowest height-of-cut. 4. Sit on the seat and start the engine.
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 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.
