FORM NO. 3319–347GB Wheel Horse 48” Side Discharge Mower for 5xi Tractors Model No. 78448 – 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adjusting the Mower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Removing the Mower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Side Discharge . . . . .
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) NEXT TO FRONT WHEELS (Part No. 93–7282) ON MOWER RIGHT SIDE (Part No. 98–3481) 2 (1) ON DECK RIGHT SIDE (1) ON DECK LEFT SIDE (Part No. 93–7317) (2) ON LEVELER BAR (Part No. 93–9367) ON MOWER REAR TOP (Part No.
Installation Loose Parts Note: Use the chart below to identify parts used for assembly. DESCRIPTION QTY. USE Discharge chute 1 Nylon washer 3/8” 2 Spring 1 Rubber bushing 1 Flat washer 1/2” 1 Lock nut 3/8” 1 Cotter pin 3/4” 1 PTO drive belt 1 Install PTO drive belt Pulley box 1 Install pulley box Operator’s Manual 1 Read before operating Install grass deflector Mower Preparation IMPORTANT: The discharge chute must be spring loaded in the down position.
Installation Installing the Mower POTENTIAL HAZARD • Without the grass deflector 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 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 6 1 4 2 Attach–A–Matic latches Pulley box Idler pulley Belt tension release arm Figure 5 m–3463 Figure 4 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Belt tension adjustment knob 6. Belt tension indicators (one on each side) 7. Attach–A–Matic button 1. Slots in the side mounting brackets (2) 2. Belt guide 2. Make sure the mower wheels are set for low height of cut.
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–Matic mount. 10. Set the parking brake, lower the attachment lift, and turn the ignition key to “STOP” to stop the engine. Then remove the key.
Installation 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. 3 4 1 2 m–3470 Figure 11 1. Pulley box pulley 2. Belt tension release arm 1 3. PTO pulley 4. PTO drive belt 6. Loop the other end of the belt over the drive pulley of the mower. Additional belt slack can be obtained (if needed) by turning the belt tension adjustment knob (Fig. 12). 7.
Installation Adjusting the Mower Adjusting the Height of Cut 4 2 3 1. 1 m–3458 Figure 12 1. Belt tension release arm 2. Belt tension indicator (2) 3. Belt tension adjustment knob The rear gauge wheels are adjusted in different hole locations for 1–1/2—4–1/2” (4–11 cm) heights of cut. 4. Seating position for tension arm Start the tractor, apply the parking brake, and raise the deck. Get off the tractor. Pull the height–of–cut lever out to disengage it from the height–of–cut plate.
Installation 1. Disengage the power take off (PTO), set the parking brake, lower the attachment lift, and turn the ignition key to “STOP” to stop the engine. Remove the key. 2. Carefully rotate one of the blades so it is facing front and rear (Fig. 15). 3. Measure the distance from the front tip of the blade (Fig. 15) to the flat surface. Then carefully rotate the blade tip until it is in the rear position.
Installation Adjusting the Deck Slope for Transport To extend PTO drive belt life and provide adequate transport height, the deck slope in transport should be adjusted. Three steps accomplish this: 1) Making sure the lift arm cams are in the same position, 2) Measuring blade slope in its front and rear positions and 3) Making adjustments if the blade slope is not within specification. POTENTIAL HAZARD • The “scissor” formed by the mower mounting brackets and the attachment lift arm is dangerous.
Installation 8. Repeat steps 4–7 until the slope of the blade is approximately 1/4” (7 mm) lower in the front than it is in the rear. 6. Release the belt tension release arm on the pulley box to release the tension on the drive belt (Fig. 19). Removing the Mower The mower is most easily removed from the tractor when done on a level concrete surface. Rougher dirt or lawn surfaces make removing the mower more difficult. 1. 2 Apply the parking brake, start the tractor, and raise the attachment lift.
Installation 9. Press the button of the mid Attach–A–Matic and twist the lever clockwise to release the mower (Fig. 21). 2 2 1 3 m–3458 Figure 23 2 1 m–3457 1. Front Attach–A–Matic button (one on each side) 2. Front Attach–A–Matic latches 3. Pulley box Figure 21 1. Mid Attach–A–Matic button 2. Mid Attach–A–Matic lever 10. Pull the two spring–loaded J–pins from the deck lift arms and twist them slightly so that they stay disengaged (Fig. 22). 1 m–3456 Figure 22 1. J–pin 11.
Operation Side Discharge POTENTIAL HAZARD • Without the grass deflector or complete grass catcher assembly mounted in place, you and others are exposed to blade contact and thrown debris. it is a reminder: the implement is being powered and the starter will not crank while the PTO is engaged. Always turn off the PTO before getting off the seat. Engaging the Power Take Off (PTO) 1. Depress the brake pedal to stop the machine. 2. Move the throttle lever to FAST.
Operation Attachment Lift Lever 1 The attachment lift lever (Fig. 25 & 26) 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 25 POTENTIAL HAZARD • When the engine is off, attachments in the raised position can gradually lower. 1.
Operation Adjusting the Two Front Wheels Check for Debris Each time you use the mower, be sure to check for debris build up on and inside the rear transaxle cover (Fig. 28). Remove any build up. The two front adjustable wheels must be adjusted in the proper hole location for each time you change deck height-of-cut position. 1. After selecting height of cut, make sure the front adjustable wheels are 3/8” off the ground. 2.
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 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 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. 151 Figure 29 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) Installing the Blade(s) 1. 1. Use a file to sharpen the cutting edge at both ends of the blade (Fig. 31). Maintain the original angle. The blade retains its balance if the same amount of material is removed from both cutting edges. IMPORTANT: The sail (curved part of the blade) must be pointing up toward the inside of the mower to assure proper cutting. 2. 1 Hold the blade end using a rag or thickly padded glove.
Maintenance Greasing and Lubrication Blade Drive Belt Service Interval/Specification Removing the Blade Drive Belt Grease the mower 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 11. 2. Remove the pulley cover mounting screws and pulley covers from the blade pulleys (Fig. 35). 3. Release the spring (Fig. 35). 4.
Maintenance Washing the Underside of the Mower 9. Run the mower again for one to three minutes to remove excess water. 1 After each use, wash the underside of the mower to prevent grass build-up for improved mulch action and clipping dispersal. 1. Park the tractor on a hard level surface. 2. Apply the parking brake, start the tractor, and raise the attachment lift. 3. Get off the tractor. Place the mower height–of–cut lever in the lowest cut position. 3 2 m–3586 Figure 36 4.
Maintenance Storage 1. Clean dirt and chaff from the top of the mower. 2. Scrape heavy buildup of grass and dirt from the underside of the mower. Then wash the mower with a garden hose. Run the tractor for two to three minutes. 3. Check the condition of the blade(s); refer to Cutting Blade, page 18. 4. Check the condition of the blade drive belt. 5. Check and tighten all bolts, nuts, and screws. Repair or replace any part that is damaged or defective. 6.
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.