FORM NO. 3319–721GB Wheel Horse 48” Side Discharge Mower for Lawn & Garden Tractors Model No. 78268 – 7900001 & 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 Safety and Instruction Decals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loose Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mower Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Installing the Mower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Transport Height Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . Side-to-Side Mower Leveling . . . . . . . . . . Front-to-Rear Blade Slope . . . . . . . . . . . . . Removing the Mower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. 2 ON GRASS DEFLECTOR (Part No. 93–7317) ON GRASS DEFLECTOR (Part No. 93–7316) NEXT TO GAGE WHEELS (Part No. 93–7282) ON MOWER REAR CENTER (Part No.
Installation Loose Parts Note: Use the chart below to identify parts used for assembly. DESCRIPTION QTY.
Installation Mower Preparation 1. Place spring short end into small hole in the grass deflector (Fig. 1). 2. Position spring and grass deflector over post on rear of deck and secure with cotter pin (Fig. 1). 3. Slide rubber bushing and plastic washer over stud at front of mower. 4. 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 5. Place rear link on mower rear bracket and secure with 1/2” (13 mm) washer and cotter pin (Fig. 2). 6. Place adjustable links on mower brackets and secure with 1/2” (13 mm) washers and cotter pins (Fig. 3). 4 3 1 4 3 3 4 1 2 2 1 mĆ2438 Figure 2 1. Rear link 2. Bracket 3. Washer 1/2” (13 mm) 4. Cotter pin mĆ2437 2 Figure 3 1. Adjustable link 2. Bracket 3. Washer 1/2” (13 mm) 4.
Installation Installing the Mower 1. 7. Install front adjustable links to front lift arms with washers and small hairpin cotters (Fig. 5). 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 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.
Installation 8. Pull on idler pulley to relax belt tension and install mower drive belt into 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 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 0–3/8” (0–9.5 mm) lower than the rear blade tip, adjust the blade slope using the following instructions: 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.
Installation Removing the Mower 1. 2. 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. 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. 5. Remove small hairpin cotter and washer from rear link and remove from attachment lift (Fig. 13). 6.
Operation Side Discharge 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. HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD • NEVER remove the grass deflector from the mower because the grass deflector routes material down toward the turf. If the grass deflector is ever damaged, replace it immediately.
Operation Attachment Lift Lever Attachment Power Lift The attachment lift lever (Fig. 15) is used to raise and lower various attachments. The attachment power lift (optional on some models) (Fig. 16) is used to raise and lower attachments. Raising Attachments Raising Attachments 1. Depress the brake pedal to stop the machine. 1. Turn key to the “ON” or “RUN” position (Fig. 16). 2. Pull attachment lift lever rearward until latch locks.
Operation Adjusting Dial-A-Height Adjusting Anti-Scalp Rollers The Dial-A-Height control (Fig. 15) 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” (38 mm) height-of-cut or lower move the anti-scalp rollers to the upper hole position. 1. 2.
Operation Adjusting Gage Wheels The gage wheels (on certain models) must be adjusted in the proper hole location for each height-of-cut position. 1. After adjusting height-of-cut. raise the attachment lift lever: Refer to Raising Attachments. 2. Remove hairpin cotter and pin to change hole location (Fig. 18). 3. Select a hole position so the gage wheel is 3/8” (9.5 mm) off the ground for the height-of-cut to be used (Fig. 18). 4. Insert pin and secure with hairpin cotter. 5.
Operation Tips for Mowing Grass Fast Throttle Setting Cutting Speed To improve cut quality, use slower ground speed. 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 m–151 Figure 19 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. 21). 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 washer, blade, flat washer, and the blade nut (Fig. 23).
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 10. 2. Remove the pulley cover mounting screws and pulley covers from both blade pulleys (Fig. 25). 3. Remove the belt from the pulleys (Fig. 25).
Maintenance Washing Underside of Mower After each use, wash the underside of the mower to prevent grass build-up for improved mulch action 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. g height. g Uneven cutting 22 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.