Not for
Reproduction
26
To Adjust the Spring Pre-Load:
This procedure details the process for adjusting the spring
pre-load of the rear shocks.
To adjust the spring pre-load
of the front shocks only steps #1 and #4 are required.
1. Park the machine on a flat, level surface. Disengage the
PTO, stop the engine, and engage the parking brake.
2. Chock the front wheels to prevent the machine from
rolling. Raise the rear of the machine and secure with
jack stands.
3. Remove the rear drive tires.
WARNING
Spring loaded components can kick back causing injury.
Use two hands when adjusting the shock springs. This will
prevent the wrench from slipping while pressure is being
applied.
4. Using the supplied spanner wrench (p/n 5106539) (B,
Figure 28), insert the tip of the wrench into the notch in
the pre-load adjuster (C). 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.
5. Re-install the rear drive tires. Torque the lug bolts to
85-95 ft.lbs. (115-129 Nm). Remove the jack stands from
under the machine.
Note:
If a collection system is installed on the unit it is
recommended that the rear suspension be adjusted stiffer
due to the added weight of the collection system.
To Adjust the Upper Mounting Position (Rear
Shocks):
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 jack
stands. The jack stands must under the bumper. Chock
the front wheels to prevent the machine from rolling.
3. Position the jack under the transmission cradle 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 28). 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 transmission cradle.
7. Remove the jack stands from under the machine.
Storage
Temporary Storage (30 Days or Less)
Remember, the fuel tank will still contain some gasoline, so
never store the unit indoors or in any other area where fuel
vapor could travel to any ignition source. Fuel vapor is also
toxic if inhaled, so never store the unit in any structure used
for human or animal habitation.
WARNING
Never store the unit, with gasoline in engine or fuel tank,
in a heated shelter or in enclosed, poorly ventilated
enclosures. Gasoline fumes may reach an open flame,
spark or pilot light (such as a furnace, water heater, clothes
dryer, etc.) and cause an explosion.
Handle gasoline carefully. It is highly flammable and
careless use could result in serious fire damage to your
person or property.
Drain fuel into an approved container outdoors away from
open flame or sparks.
Here is a checklist of things to do when storing your unit
temporarily or in between uses:
• Keep the unit in an area away from where children
may come into contact with it. If there’s any chance of
unauthorized use, remove the spark plug (s) and put in a
safe place. Be sure the spark plug opening is protected
from foreign objects with a suitable cover.
• If the unit can’t be stored on a reasonable level surface,
chock the wheels.
• Clean all grass and dirt from the mower.
Long Term Storage (Longer Than 30 Days)
Before you store your unit for the off-season, read the
Maintenance and Storage instructions in the Safety Rules
section, then perform the following steps:
1. Drain crankcase oil while engine is hot and refill with a
grade of oil that will be required when unit is used again.
2. Prepare the mower deck for storage as follows:
a.) Remove mower deck from the unit.
b.) Clean underside of mower deck.
c.) Coat all bare metal surfaces with paint or light coat of
oil to prevent rusting.
3. Clean external surfaces and engine.
4. Prepare engine for storage. See engine owner’s manual.
5. Clean any dirt or grass from cylinder head cooling fins,
engine housing and air cleaner element.
6. Cover air cleaner and exhaust outlet tightly with plastic or
other waterproof material to keep out moisture, dirt and
insects.
7. Completely grease and oil unit as outlined in the
Lubrication
section.
8. Clean up unit and apply paint or rust preventative to any
areas where paint is chipped or damaged.
9. Be sure the battery is filled to the proper level with water
and is fully charged. Battery life will be increased if it is
removed, put in a cool, dry place and fully charged about
