FORM NO. 3322–624 Wheel Horse 44” Side Discharge Mower for 5xi Lawn and Garden Tractors Model No. 78444 – 8900001 & Up Operator’s Manual IMPORTANT: Read this manual, and your tractor manual, carefully. They contain 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Attach the PTO Drive Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adjusting the Mower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Removing the Mower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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 GRASS DEFLECTOR (Part No. 93–7316) (1) ON GRASS DEFLECTOR (1) ON DECK LEFT SIDE (Part No. 93–7317) NEXT TO GAGE WHEELS (Part No. 93–7282) ON MOWER REAR TOP (Part No. 98–3489) (2) ON LEVELER BAR (Part No. 93–9367) ON MOWER RIGHT SIDE (Part No. 98–3481) UNDER GRASS DEFLECTOR (Part No.
Installation Loose Parts Note: Use the chart below to identify parts used for assembly. DESCRIPTION QTY. USE Discharge chute 1 Spring 2 Bolt 3/8–24 x 3–1/2” 2 Lock nut 3/8” 2 PTO drive belt 1 Install PTO drive belt Pulley box 1 Install pulley box Operator’s Manual 1 Read before operating Install discharge chute Mower Preparation 6 Install the Discharge Chute 1 1. 2. 3. 4.
Installation Installing the Mower POTENTIAL HAZARD • Without the discharge chute or the 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 Initial Preparation The mower is most easily installed when done on a level concrete surface. Rougher dirt or lawn surfaces make installation more difficult. 1.
Installation 3 5 1 2 3 7 1 6 m–3460 Figure 5 4 2 m–3463 Figure 4 1. 2. 3. 4. Attach-A-MaticTM latches Pulley box Idler pulley Belt tension release arm 5. Belt tension adjustment knob 6. Belt tension indicators (one on each side) 7. Attach-A-MaticTM button 1. Slots in the side mounting brackets (2) 2. Belt guide 5. Start the tractor. 6.
Installation 8. After the two J–pins are seated through the mower’s mounting brackets, using the attachment lift and your hand on the right front adjustable mower wheel bracket (Fig. 7), position the mower so its attachment bar fits into the mid Attach-A-MaticTM mount. 10. Set the parking brake, lower the attachment lift, and turn the ignition key to “STOP” to stop the engine. Then remove the ignition key.
Installation 3. Release the belt tension release arm on the pulley box housing and swing it out toward you (Fig. 13). 4. Remove the tractor’s front grill by raising the hood and unscrewing the two screws and washers securing it in place (Fig. 10). Close the hood and remove the grill by pulling it out toward you. 2 3 1 m–4231 Figure 11 1. Pulley box pulley 2. PTO pulley 1 3. PTO drive belt 6. Loop the other end of the belt over the drive pulley of the mower.
Installation B. Check the tension indicators on each side of the pulley box. C. If the tension indicators are not in the same position on both the left and right sides, release the belt tension, turn the adjustment knob and repeat steps A and B until the indicators move to the same position (Fig. 13). D. Once the indicators are in the same position on both sides, swing the tension release arm into the pulley box and seat it by moving it into the position shown in Figure 13.
Installation Front 1 m–3522 2 3 4 3 2 1 m–3474 Figure 15 1. Height-of-cut lever 2. Quadrant 3. High 4. Low 4 4 Figure 16 Checking Mower Level For optimum efficiency, the level of the mower should be checked at the time of initial installation and periodically as a check, to ensure that the blades are 1/8” (3 mm) lower in the front than in the rear. The mower must be checked and adjusted on a flat level surface, preferably concrete.
Installation Equalize side–to–side cut by adjusting the two carriage bolts (Fig. 18) on the mower. Check height of blade at outside blade tips as shown (Fig. 16). 3 4 2 5 1 6 1 m–3518 Figure 19 m–3459 Figure 18 1. Side–to–side adjustment bolts Adjusting the Blade Slope for Transport Because the attachment lift is used when the PTO drive is engaged, blade slope in transport must be adjusted to extend PTO drive belt life. This adjustment also provides for adequate transport height.
Installation 8. POTENTIAL HAZARD • The “scissor” formed by the mower mounting brackets and the attachment lift arm is dangerous. WHAT CAN HAPPEN • Hands and fingers can get caught between the mower parts and the tractor and be injured. HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD • Keep hands away from moving parts while operating the attachment lift. • Set the parking brake, lower the attachment lift, turn the ignition key to “STOP” to stop the engine, and remove the ignition key before making any adjustments. 3.
Installation 9. Press the button of the mid Attach-A-MaticTM and twist the lever clockwise to release the mower (Fig. 22). 2 3 1 m–3458 Figure 20 1. Belt tension release arm 2. Belt tension adjustment knob 3. Belt tension released 2 1 m–3457 Figure 22 7. Remove the belt from around the PTO pulley (Fig. 21). Additional belt slack can be obtained (if needed) by turning the belt tension adjustment knob. 1 Attach-A-MaticTM 1. Mid button 2. Mid Attach-A-MaticTM lever 10.
Installation 11. If you wish to remove the pulley box, push the latch release buttons on the front Attach-A-MaticTM (Fig. 24) and raise the latch levers to open the latches holding the pulley box. Remove the pulley box. 2 2 3 1 m–3458 Figure 24 1. Front Attach-A-MaticTM button (one on each side) 2. Front Attach-A-MaticTM latches 3. Pulley box 12. Start the tractor and raise the attachment lift to provide ample clearance to slide out the mower.
Operation Side Discharge The mower has a hinged grass deflector that disperses clippings to the side and down toward the turf. POTENTIAL HAZARD • Without the discharge chute or complete grass catcher assembly mounted in place, you and others are exposed to blade contact and thrown debris. While the ignition key is in RUN or LIGHTS position and the power take off (PTO) is engaged, the PTO indicator light will be on.
Operation Attachment Lift Lever 1 The attachment lift lever (Fig. 26 & 27) is used to raise and lower various attachments. Raising Attachments 1. Start the tractor. 2. Pull the attachment lift lever upward until the latch locks. In this position, the lift will hold the attachment in the up, or raised position. m–3258 Figure 26 POTENTIAL HAZARD • When the engine is off, attachments in the raised position can gradually lower. 1.
Operation Adjusting Anti-Scalp Rollers 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. Raise the attachment lift lever; refer to Raising Attachments. 2. Remove the cotter pin, bolt and shaft to change hole location (Fig. 28). 3.
Operation Check for Debris Cut 1/3 of the Grass Blade Each time you use the mower, be sure to check for debris build up on and inside the rear transaxle cover (Fig. 30). Remove any build up. It is best to cut only about 1/3 of the grass blade. Cutting more than that is not recommended, unless grass is sparse or it is late fall when grass grows more slowly. Mowing Direction Alternate mowing direction to keep the grass standing straight.
Operation Long Grass If the grass is ever allowed to grow slightly longer than normal, or if it contains a high degree of moisture, raise the cutting height higher than usual and cut the grass at this setting. Then cut the grass again using the lower, normal setting. When Stopping If the machine’s forward motion must be stopped while mowing, a clump of grass clippings may drop onto your lawn. To avoid this: 1. With the blade(s) “ENGAGED,” move onto a previously cut area. 2.
Maintenance Service Interval Chart Service Operation Each Use Cutter Blade—check 5 Hours 25 Hours X X X X X Mower Spindles—grease 50 Hours Belts—check for wear/cracks Mower Housing—clean Belt Tension—check Chipped Surfaces—paint Storage Service Spring Service X X X initial 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 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). 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. 151 Figure 31 1. Cutting edge 2. Curved area 3. Wear/slot forming WHAT CAN HAPPEN • Pieces of blade that may be thrown could seriously injure or kill you or bystanders.
Maintenance Sharpening the Blade(s) 1. 2. Tighten the blade bolt to 40-60 ft–lb (54-81 N m). Use a file to sharpen the cutting edge at both ends of the blade (Fig. 33). Maintain the original angle. The blade retains its balance if the same amount of material is removed from both cutting edges. 4 3 5 2 1 1 1796 Figure 35 Figure 33 1. Sharpen at original angle 2. Check the balance of the blade by putting it on a blade balancer (Fig. 34).
Maintenance Where to Add Grease 1. Lubricate the blade spindles (Fig. 36). 4 2 3 5 1 m–3458 Figure 37 m–3468 1. Belt tension release arm 2. Belt tension indicator (2) 3. Belt tension adjustment knob 4. Seating position for tension arm 5. Belt tension released Figure 36 Extending PTO Drive Belt Life Checking PTO Drive Belt Tension Check the PTO drive belt tension after 5 hours of operating with a new belt, then every 50 hours or once a year, whichever occurs first. 1.
Maintenance • Use low range or reduce ground speed when mowing in heavy conditions or when mulching or bagging. 3 1 2 2 Blade Drive Belt Removing the Blade Drive Belt 1. 2. Remove the mower; refer to Removing the Mower, page 11. 5 Release the spring (Fig. 38). 4. Remove the belt from the pulleys (Fig. 38). Installing the Blade Drive Belt m–3472 Figure 38 Remove the pulley cover mounting screws and pulley covers from the blade pulleys (Fig. 38). 3. 4 Top View 1. Pulley cover screw 2.
Maintenance 6. Sit on the seat and start the engine. Engage the power take off (PTO) and let the mower run for one to three minutes. 7. Disengage the power take off (PTO) and turn the ignition key to “STOP” to stop the engine. Remove the ignition key. Wait for all moving parts to stop. 8. WHAT CAN HAPPEN • Contact with thrown debris or blade Turn the water off and remove the hose coupling from the washout fitting. Note: 9.
Troubleshooting PROBLEM Abnormal vibration. 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. Contact Authorized Service Dealer. 1.
Troubleshooting PROBLEM PTO (cutter deck) belt comes off of pulleys,slips or fails. (continued) 26 POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTIVE ACTION 8. PTO is being engaged when cutter deck is in tall uncut grass or weeds. 8. Engage PTO only in shorter or previously cut grass. 9. Cutter deck is overloaded because mulching or bagging requires more power. 9. Reduce ground speed when mulching or bagging. 10. Cutter deck is overloaded because too much grass is being cut at a time. 10.
