FORM NO. 3319-567 Wheel Horse 52” Mowers for Lawn & Garden Tractors Model No. 78280– 8900001 & Up Model No. 78285– 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 Safety and Instruction Decals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loose Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mower Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tractor Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Installing the Mower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Transport Height Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . Side-to-Side Mower Leveling . . . . . . . . . . Front-to-Rear Blade Slope . . . . . . . . . .
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. 93–1122) ON MOWER LEFT AND DISCHARGE CHUTE (Part No. 92–7108) NEXT TO GAGE WHEELS (Part No. 93–7282) UNDER GRASS DEFLECTOR (Part No. 92–7109) ON MOWER LEFT SIDE (Part No. 94–2543) 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. 2. Attach gage wheels to the outside of arms on rear carrier assembly. Grease fitting on wheel must face out (Fig. 1). 5. Rotate adjustable links so bolt heads are up and place between brackets, as shown, on front of the mower (Fig. 3). 6. Secure to brackets with 1/2” washers and 1” (26 mm) cotter pins (Fig. 3). Secure with shoulder bolt and 3/8” lock nut, with internal locking patch on threads (Fig. 1). Note: 1 Grease wheels. 4 5 4 1 3 1. Adjustable link 2.
Installation 7. Place springs into brackets on mower with hooked ends over raised back (Fig. 4). 8. Align grass deflector with holes in brackets and spring straight ends in space under hinge and above deflector (Fig. 4). 9. Secure deflector to bracket with 3/8–3-1/2 (89 mm) bolts through grass deflector, springs and brackets. Secure with 3/8” lock nuts (Fig. 4).
Installation Tractor Preparation 1. 9. Park the machine on a level surface and lower attachment lift to the full “DOWN” position. Refer to Operation: Attachment Lift page 14. Note: Slide lift rod into hole and secure with previously removed washer and E-ring (Fig. 6). 10. Check that stop is 0”–1/8” (0–3 mm) away frame when fully assembled and lift in the full “UP” position. Turn Dial-A-Height control to allow lift to go to full “MOUNTING” position. 5 4 2.
Installation Installing the Mower 9. 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. Turn the front wheels straight ahead and raise attachment lift lever all the way to the latched position; refer to tractor Operator’s Manual. 3. Slide the mower under tractor from right side, turning front wheels as necessary. Align rear mounting bushings with ends of lift arms. 4.
Installation Transport Height Adjustment Transport height should be properly adjusted after Tractor Preparation, page 6; however if the rear brackets contact the footrest or up–stop contacts the top of mower in the raised position, adjustment is required. 1. Adjust by turning transport height nut, (Fig. 10) on lift mechanism, clockwise to raise or counterclockwise to lower mower. 2. Adjust nut until there is 1/4” (6 mm) clearance between rear brackets and footrest and up–stop and mower.
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. 12). 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. 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. 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. 3. Remove mower drive belt from engine pulley. 4.
Installation Removing Recycling Baffle Installing Recycling Baffle Model 78285 only. Model 78285 only. 1. 1. Thoroughly clean the mower. 2. Remove lock nuts from top and discharge side and center flange of mower (Fig. 17). Slide baffle into discharge opening and raise into mower so pin on center flange engages left baffle. 3. Secure with previously removed 5/16–5/8” (16 mm) bolts and 5/16” lock nuts in top, discharge side and center flange holes of baffle (Fig. 17).
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. 19) is used to raise and lower various attachments. The attachment power lift (optional on some models) (Fig. 20) 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. 20). 2. Pull attachment lift lever rearward until latch locks.
Operation Adjusting Dial-A-Height Adjusting Anti-Scalp Wheels The Dial-A-Height control (Fig. 19) 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 wheels must be adjusted in the proper hole location for each height-of-cut position. 1. 2. Raise the attachment lift lever: Refer to Raising Attachments. In the raised, position the Dial-A-Height knob (Fig.
Operation Tips for Mowing Grass Fast Throttle Setting Ground 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 25 Hours X X Grease–Mower spindles, wheels Chipped Surfaces—paint Spring Service Notes X X Belts—check for wear/cracks Mower Housing—clean 50 Hours X X 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 22 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. 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 stiffener and bolt (Fig. 26). IMPORTANT: The curved part of the blade must be pointing toward the inside of the mower to assure proper cutting. 2. Tighten the bolt to 80-100 ft–lb (109-136 Nm).
Maintenance Greasing and Lubrication Blade Drive Belt Service Interval/Specification Removing the Blade Drive Belt Grease the mower 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 11. 2. Remove pulley cover mounting screws and pulley covers from both blade pulleys. 3. Loosen idler spring and remove the belt from the pulleys (Fig. 29).
Maintenance 2. Adjust idler spring tension until length between hooks is 5-1/2” (140 mm) (Fig. 29). Power Take Off (PTO) Belt Removing PTO Belt 2 1. Remove the mower; refer to Removing the Mower, page 11. 2. Remove left pulley cover mounting screws and pulley cover. Remove PTO belt (Fig. 30). Installing the PTO Belt 1 1. Install the new belt around the blade pulley and the idler pulleys. 2. Install left pulley cover with previously removed mounting screws (Fig. 30). 3.
Maintenance Storage 1. Scrape heavy buildup of grass and dirt from the underside of the mower. Then wash the mower with a garden hose. 2. Check the condition of the blade(s); refer to Cutting Blade, page 18. 3. Check the condition of the blade drive belt. 4. Grease the mower deck; refer to Greasing and Lubrication, page 20. 5. Check and tighten all bolts, nuts, and screws. Repair or replace any part that is damaged or defective. 6. Paint all scratched or bare metal surfaces.
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.
