FORM NO. 3322–457 Wheel Horse 44” Vac–Bagger for 5xi Lawn and Garden Tractors Model No. 79305 – 8900001 & Up Operator’s Manual IMPORTANT: Read this manual, and all related equipment manuals, 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preparing the Tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preparing the Mower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Installing the Vac-Bagger onto the Tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Removing the Bagger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Removing the Vac–Bagger from the Tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. INSIDE EDGE OF BAGGER TOP (PART NO. 92–7113) ON TOP OF DECK (LEFT SIDE) (PART NO.
Installation Loose Parts Note: Use the chart below to identify parts used for assembly. DESCRIPTION QTY.
Installation DESCRIPTION 4 QTY.
Installation Preparing the Tractor Remove the Transaxle Cover Install New J–Pin Remove the transaxle cover from the back of the tractor (Fig. 2). Note: Before you can install the bagger, you must first install a bagger–compatible J–pin in the attachment lift arm on the right side of the tractor. This is most easily done on a level concrete surface. Rougher dirt or lawn surfaces make installation more difficult. 1. Remove the mower; refer to Mower Operator’s Manual for instructions. 2.
Installation Preparing the Mower POTENTIAL HAZARD • Open holes in the mower expose you and others to thrown debris. Remove the Recycling Baffles If you have a recycling mower deck, you must remove the recycling baffles to use the vac bagger. WHAT CAN HAPPEN • Debris thrown out of holes in the mower can cause injury. 1. Thoroughly clean the mower. 2. Remove the knobs and washers from the right side baffle and the nuts and washers from the left side baffle (Fig. 4). Lift the baffles from the deck.
Installation Remove the Discharge Chute Install the Grass Baffles 1. 1. Place the front grass baffle inside the front edge of the mower. The baffle plate should rest on the front edge of the mower. The right tab on the baffle should extend 1/8” (3 mm) outside of the right edge of the mower (Fig. 6). Use a clamp to hold the baffle in place. 2. Mark where the holes in the baffle are and remove the clamp and grass baffle. Drill (4) 11/32” holes (Fig. 6). 3.
Installation 4. Attach the rear grass baffle to the grass ring with (2) 5/16 x 7/8” (22 mm) carriage bolts and (2) 5/16” locknuts (Fig. 7). Install the Mower Deck Counterweight (Use these instructions for decks with washout port) 5. Install the rear grass baffle and grass ring inside the discharge chute area. Secure the rear grass baffle to the mower with a 5/16 x 7/8” (22 mm) carriage bolt and a 5/16 x 2–1/2” (64 mm) carriage bolt. Add the latch tube above the deck and secure with (2) 5/16” locknuts.
Installation 6 2 4 1 3 5 4 3 m–4330 1 Figure 8 1. Washout port 2. Nut (2), 1/4–20 3. Flat washer (2), 1/4” 4. Bolt (2), 1/4–20 x 3/4” (19 mm) 4 8 7 3 2. Using one of the two bolts, washers and nuts from the washout port, install the cover plate to the deck (Fig. 9). Place the bolt up through the deck (head to underside of deck) in the hole closest to the rear of the deck. Install one end of the cover to the bolt and secure loosely with the nut and flat washer. 2 m-4298 Figure 9 1.
Installation 8. An extra decal is included with the bagger because the counterweight covers the original decal. Clean the mower deck surface and place this decal on the mower deck near, but not under the counterweight (Fig. 9). Install the Mower Deck Counterweight (Use the instructions for decks without washout port) 1. 2. 3. Position the mower deck counterweight on the left–hand side of the mower so that the it fits snuggly against the side of the mower (Fig. 10).
Installation Installing the Vac-Bagger onto the Tractor 1 2 Assemble the Bagger 1. 2. Install the “full-bag” indicator rod through the hole in the rubber seal and the slot in the bagger cover (Fig. 8). Mount the full-bag indicator rod against the bagger cover using two clips, 1/4 x 3/4” (19 mm) screws, and 1/4” locknuts(Fig. 12). Screw the jam nut completely onto the indicator rod (Fig. 8). Then screw the handle (Fig. 8) close to the jam nut so you can read the decal from the operator’s position.
Installation 3 5 1 3 6 5 7 1 2 4 m–2017 2 Figure 14 1. Pivot support 2. Carriage bolt, 5/16 x 4–1/2” (114 mm) 3. Spacer Tube 4. Carriage bolt, 5/16 x 7/8” (19 mm) 5. Locknut, 5/16” 6. Washer, 5/16” (8 mm) 7. Pivot bracket m–3593 Figure 15 1. Pivot pin 2. Pivot support 2. Install the Mower to Tractor 1. Refer to the Mower Operator’s Manual for instructions. Install the Blower and Blower Belt 1. 12 Install the blower by lowering the pivot pin into the pivot support (Fig. 15). 3.
Installation Install the Blower Belt Cover 1. Install the blower belt cover using (4) washers and (2) knobs (Fig. 18). 1 3 1 2 3 2 m–3557 2 Figure 16 1. Idler pulley bracket and pulley 2. Top side of belt against bottom pulley 3. 3. V–side of belt into top pulley m–3590 Figure 18 With the belt installed, swing the blower toward the mower until the blower latch locks over the pin at the back of the mower (Fig. 17). 1. Blower belt cover 2. Washer 3.
Installation 3. Carefully lift the bagger top and slide it onto the quick-attach bracket (Fig. 20). 1 1 2 2 m–1845 Figure 20 1. Bagger top 1373 2. Quick-attach bracket Figure 21 1. Bag frame hook 5. 2. Retaining bracket Lower the bagger top onto the bags. Then push down on both bag retainer handles until they lock on the bag frame (Fig. 22). POTENTIAL HAZARD • The hinge frame on the bagger top is spring-loaded.
Installation Mount the Discharge Tube 1. 2. Insert the upper end of the discharge tube into the bagger top. Slide the lower end of the discharge tube over the blower discharge opening (Fig. 23). 1 2 Hook the rubber latch onto the knob (Fig. 23). 1847 Figure 24 1 1. Rubber latch 2. Knob 2 Remove the Bagger 1. Tip the tractor seat forward. 2. Raise the bagger top and remove the grass bags from the bag frame (Fig. 25). 1847 Figure 23 1. Rubber latch 2.
Installation 1 1 2 3 2 m–3596 m–1845 Figure 27 Figure 26 1. Bagger top 2. Quick-attach bracket 1. Quick-attach bracket 2. Bagger hitch 6. POTENTIAL HAZARD • The hinge frame on the bagger top is spring-loaded. Move the tractor seat to its normal position. Remove Blower Belt Cover 1. Remove the blower belt cover by removing (2) knobs and (4) washers (Fig. 28).
Installation Remove the Blower from the Mower 1. Open the latch and swing the blower out away from the mower. Remove the blower belt from idler and blower pulleys (Fig. 29). Remove the Blower Pulley from the Mower 1. Remove the blower pulley. Block the blade with a piece of wood or some other device to stop it from turning while you remove the pulley. 2. Thread the spindle pulley nut onto the spindle shaft in place of the pulley (Fig. 11). Torque the nut to 50–75 ft-lbs (68–102 Nm). 3.
Installation Removing the Vac–Bagger from the Tractor Remove the Mower Deck Counterweight 1. Note: Remove the Blower Pivot Support 1. Remove the mower from the tractor; refer to Mower Operator’s Manual. 2. Remove the pivot support and pivot bracket from the mower (Fig. 32). Note: Remove the counterweight from the left–hand side of the mower (Fig. 33). Save all parts and hardware for use when installing the blower. 1 2 Save all parts and hardware for use when installing blower.
Installation Remove the Grass Baffles 6 3 1. Remove the grass baffle inside the front lip of mower (Fig. 35). 2 Note: 1 Reinstall hardware to fill holes in mower where the baffle was installed. 4 5 5 4 2 3 m–4482 1 Figure 34 c-2332 1. Bolt, 1/4–20 x 3/4” (19 mm) 2. Flat washer, 1/4” 3. Nut, 1/4–20 4. Bolt, 3/8–16 x 3/4” (19 mm) 5. Locknut, 3/8” 6. Washout port Figure 35 1. Grass baffle 2. Carriage bolt, 5/16 x 7/8” (19 mm) 3.
Installation 3 3 Install the Recycling Baffles 5 If you have a recycling mower deck, you must install the recycling baffles to use the mower as a Recycler . 2 6 1. Thoroughly clean the mower. All debris must be removed to ensure the baffle will fit properly against the cutting chamber. 2. Remove the (2) carriage bolts, washers, and locknuts from the slotted holes of the mower (Fig. 37). 3. Thread a 5/16 x 1–1/4” (32 mm) bolt through each baffle as shown in Fig.
Installation Install the Discharge Chute 3 3 1. Install mounting brackets onto the mower with 5/16 x 3/4” (19 mm) carriage bolts and 5/16” locknuts (Fig. 38). 1. Place springs into brackets on mower with hooked ends over raised back (Fig. 38). 2. Align the discharge chute with holes in brackets and spring straight ends in space under hinge and above chute (Fig. 38). 3. Secure the chute to the bracket with bolts through the discharge chute, springs and brackets. Secure with locknuts (Fig. 38). 4.
Installation POTENTIAL HAZARD • Without the discharge chute, mulch baffle, 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 discharge chute from the mower because the discharge chute routes material down toward the turf. If the discharge chute is ever damaged, replace it immediately.
Operation 1 2 To Avoid Personal Injury: • Become familiar with all operating and safety instructions in the operator’s manual for your tractor and mower before using this attachment. • Never remove the discharge tube, bags, bagger top, or the blower while the engine is running. • Always shut the engine off and remove the ignition key before clearing an obstruction from the vac–bagging system. • Never do maintenance or repairs while the engine is running.
Operation Clearing Obstructions from the Bagger 1. Stop the tractor, set the parking brake, lower the attachment lift, and turn the ignition key to “STOP” to stop the engine. Remove the ignition key. 2. Check the grass bags and empty them if they are full. 3. Remove and separate the discharge tube and blower from the bagger top and mower. Using a stick or similar object, carefully remove and clear the obstruction from the mower, discharge tube, blower, and the bagger top. 4.
Operation POTENTIAL HAZARD • As the grass bags fill, extra weight is added to the back of the tractor. WHAT CAN HAPPEN • If you stop and start suddenly on hills, you may lose steering control or the tractor may tip. HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD • Do not start or stop suddenly when going uphill or downhill. Avoid uphill starts. • If you do stop the tractor when going uphill, disengage the PTO (stop the mower blades) by pushing the PTO control to OFF. Then back down the hill using slow reverse speed.
Maintenance Inspecting the Bagger Attachment Caring for the Grass Bags 1. Washing the grass bags is not recommended. Inspect the bagger attachment after the first ten hours of operation, and monthly thereafter. 2. To prevent rapid deterioration of bag material, store the bags so they dry completely after each use. 1. Check the blower, discharge tube and the bagger top. Replace these parts if they are cracked or broken. 2. Tighten all nuts bolts and screws. 3.
Maintenance Storing the Bagger Attachment 1. Clean the bagger attachment (refer to Cleaning the Bagger Attachment, page 26). 2. Inspect the bagger attachment for damage (refer to Inspecting the Bagger Attachment, page 26). 3. Make sure the grass bags are empty and thoroughly dry. 4. Store the bagger in a clean, dry place, out of direct sunlight. This protects the plastic parts and extends the life of the bagger. If you must store the bagger outside, cover it with a weatherproof cover.
