S
ection
6 — M
aintenance
& a
djuStMentS
25
Adjusting the Front Gauge Wheels
WARNING!:
Keep hands and feet away from the
discharge opening of the cutting deck.
The front gauge wheels on the mower deck are an anti-scalp
feature, and should not ride on the ground. The front gauge
wheels should be approximately 1⁄
4”
to 1⁄2
” above the ground
when the deck is set in the desired height setting.
Using the lift handle, set the deck in the desired height setting,
then check the gauge wheel distance from the ground below. If
necessary adjust the front gauge wheels as follows:
1.
Visually check the distance between the front gauge
wheels and the ground. If the gauge wheels are near or
touching the ground, they should be raised. If more than
1⁄2
” above the ground, they should be lowered.
2.
Remove the lock nut securing one of the front gauge wheel
shoulder screws to the deck. Remove the gauge wheel and
shoulder screw. See Fig. 6-7.
3.
Insert the shoulder screw into the one of four index holes
in the front gauge wheel bracket that will give the gauge
wheel a 1⁄
4”
to 1⁄2
” clearance with the ground.
4.
Note the index hole of the just adjusted wheel, and adjust
the other front gauge wheel into the respective index hole
of the other front gauge wheel bracket.
Front to Back Leveling.
1.
The front of the deck should be approximately 1⁄
4”
lower
than the rear of the deck. Adjust if necessary as follows:
2.
With the deck raised off of the ground, rotate the outer
blades so that they are parallel to the frame of the tractor.
3.
If the side to side leveling was done correctly, measuring
just the right blade should be acceptable to attain the
correct back to front pitch of the deck.
4.
Measure the distance from the front tip of the blade to the
ground and the distance from the rear tip to the ground.
The front distance should be approximately 1⁄
4”
less than
the rear. If it is not, proceed to the next step.
5.
From the front of the tractor, loosen the outer hex nuts on
the deck front hanger rod and turn them away from the
inner nuts. Refer to Fig. 6-6.
6.
If the front of the deck was too low, turn the inner hex nuts
clockwise against the hanger bracket to shorten the front
hanger rod and raise the front of the deck. Refer to Fig. 6-6.
7.
If the front of the deck was too high, turn the hex nuts
counterclockwise to lengthen the front hanger rod and
lower the front of the deck.
NOTE:
The deck front hanger rod should be at the front of
the slots of the front deck bracket. If one side of the rod is
not at the front of its slot, turn the inner hex nut on that
side until rod just touches the front of the slot. Then re-
measure and re-adjust the front hanger rod as necessary.
8.
When the correct pitch of the deck is acquired, secure the inner
hex nuts with a wrench and tighten the outer hex nuts against
the inner hex nuts to lock them in the adjusted position.
Inner
Hex Nut
Outer
Hex Nut
Front Hanger
Rod Bracket
Front Hanger Rod
Figure 6-6
Lock
Nut
Front Gauge
Wheel
Shoulder
Screw
Gauge Wheel
Bracket
Index Holes
Figure 6-7
