Operating Instructions
41
General Information
The Grass Handling System (GHS) consists of a
rear discharge, collection mower deck connected to
a 12.75 in. (32 cm) blower and a rear mounted grass
catcher with 7.0 bushel (246 liters) capacity. The
GHS blower operates any time the mower blade
clutch is engaged and moves grass through the rear
discharge deck chute into the grass catcher. Blower
airflow is exhausted out the back of the grass catch
er, through a filtering screen. When the grass catch
er is full and needs to be emptied, a
“full” signal
horn alerts the operator.
When the “full” signal
horn sounds, it is important to stop mowing to pre
vent overfilling and clogging of the blower system.
IMPORTANT:
Normally, the GHS blower operates
with no maintenance or cleaning required. However,
under certain operating conditions, the inside of the
blower housing may accumulate a deposit of dirt,
causing wear and binding of the blower wheel.
Normally, dirt buildup occurs when mowing
a com-
bination of dirty and damp grass,
especially in
the springtime. When operating in these condi-
tions,
check the blower wheel frequently
for
binding and clean the blower housing as required.
Refer to
CLEANING
the
GHS Blower
in
Mainte
nance Instructions
.
NOTE:
In Autumn, when using the GHS mower to
vacuum leaves, it is recommended to raise the
front
of the mower deck 2 to 3 notches [1 to 1-1/2 in.
(25 to 38 mm)]
higher than the rear.
This will avoid
“bulldozing” leaves, particularly when the leaves
are piled in a thick layer. To make this ad justment,
the hitch pins in the
two (2) front
deck support pins
are repositioned 2 to 3 notches higher while leaving
the rear pins in their original position.
DANGER
NEVER operate the GHS catcher with the
back door open. Objects may be thrown
out the back of the catcher with sufficient
force to cause serious injury to bystand ers
or property damage.
DANGER
ROTATING BLOWER BLADES
NEVER operate the GHS blower with the
blower discharge chute uncovered (grass
catcher in the dump position) since dan-
gerous projectiles may be thrown. NEVER
put hands into the blower discharge chute
for any reason. Use a stick or similar in-
strument to remove any material if clog -
ging has occurred.
CAUTION
NEVER leave grass clippings in the grass
catcher after mowing. Damp clippings
generate heat as they decompose. This
MAY cause spontaneous combustion.
Clogging Checklist
In case of clogging, there will be a
distinct change
in the sound
of the blower, i.e., the blower sound
will stop. Also, the mower deck will begin to leave a
trail of grass clippings. When this occurs, stop the
engine, disconnect the spark plug wire, and make
sure
all movement has stopped before attempt-
ing to unclog.
DANGER
NEVER place hands under the mower deck
or in the GHS blower discharge chute.
Use a stick or similar tool to remove any
clogged material.
Normally, any clogging will first develop at the back
of
the mower deck in the discharge opening into the
blower chute. Clogging at this point
does not indi-
cate a particular problem in this part of the sys-
tem, but is a symptom of something restrict ing
the flow of material
throughout the entire system.
The following list of items should be checked if a
pattern of clogging begins to develop. All of these
items are capable of causing clogging at the back of
the deck.
