Not for
Reproduction
15
the zero-turn rider’s ground speed control levers in both
forward and reverse directions (5 to 6 times), as air is
purged from the unit, the oil level will drop.
3. Stop the engine and engage the parking brake.
4. Close the transaxle’s bypass valves, start the engine,
release the parking brake, and slowly move the zero-turn
rider’s ground speed control levers in both forward and
reverse directions (5 to 6 times), as air is purged from the
unit, the oil level will drop.
5. Stop the engine. Remove the jack stands from
underneath the machine.
6. Repeat the process detailed above but with the unit's
drive wheels on the ground. The procedure should be
performed in an area free of any objects or bystanders.
It may be necessary to repeat the process detailed above
until all the air is completely purged from the system. When
the transaxles/transmissions operate at normal noise levels
and move smoothly forward and reverse at normal speeds,
then the transaxles/transmissions are considered purged.
Rear Suspension Adjustment
The shock assembly can be adjusted in two ways to allow the
operator to customize the ride according to operator’s weight
and/or operating conditions. You have the option of adjusting
the spring pre-load and/or the upper mounting position.
Items to consider before adjusting the suspension.
• Less spring pre-load should be used with light weight
operators, which will provide a softer, more cushioned
ride.
• More spring pre-load or upper mounting position #2
should be used with heavy weight operators, or when a
rear-mount grass bagger system is installed, which will
provide a stiffer, more rigid ride.
To Adjust the Spring Pre-Load:
1. Park machine on a flat, level surface. Disengage the
PTO, stop the engine and engage the parking brake.
2. Raise the rear of the machine and secure with
jackstands. Chock the front wheels to prevent the
machine from rolling.
3. Remove the rear drive tires.
WARNING
Use two hands when adjusting the shock springs. This will
prevent the wrench from slipping while pressure is applied.
4. See Figure 32. Using the supplied spanner wrench (p/n
5022853), insert the tip of the wrench into the notch in the
pre-load adjuster. While holding the wrench in place with
one hand, turn
counter-clockwise
to increase the pre-
load, turn
clockwise
to decrease the pre-load. Make sure
both shocks are set to the same amount of pre-load.
32
5. Reinstall the rear drive tires. Torque the lug bolts to 85-95
ft/lbs. (115-129 Nm). Remove the jackstands from under
the machine.
NOTE: Spanner wrench is located under the seat on the
right-hand side of the machine.
To Adjust the Upper Mounting Position:
1. Park machine on a flat, level surface. Disengage the
PTO, stop the engine and engage the parking brake.
2. Raise the rear of the machine and secure with
jackstands. The jackstands must under the bumper.
Chock the front wheels to prevent the machine from
rolling.
3. Position the jack under the cross member that ties the
suspension arms together and slowly raise the rear
suspension to relieve the pressure on the upper shock
mounting bolts.
Note:
This will require small adjustments to the jack’s
position. The shock should move freely on the mounting bolt
when the pressure is relieved.
4. Remove the upper shock mounting hardware and pivot
the shock to the position #2 (see Figure 32). Adjust the
jack to align the shock mounts to the shocks.
5. Reinstall the upper shock mounting hardware and tighten
securely.
6. Remove the jack from under the suspension cross
member.
7. Remove the jackstands from under the machine.
Parking Brake Adjustment
The parking brake mechanism consists of a two parking
brake cables, with a spring on both ends, that routes from the
transmission to the parking brake lever shaft. The position of
the parking brake cables and the compressed length of the
lower springs located by the transmissions are factory preset
