on the stops to drive straight without the operator making
minor steering adjustments with the control arms.
Reverse spring adjustment
The reverse spring (Fig. 5-4) is designed to bring the
control levers to the neutral position after they are released
from the reverse position.
To adjust:
1. Make certain the control lever neutral adjustment is
correct. If not, refer to Steering linkage section.
2. When control lever is in the reverse position the spring
should force the control lever to return to neutral after
the lever is released.
3. Adjust the top nylock nut (Fig. 5-4) on the spring
linkage until the control lever returns to the neutral
position from the reverse position properly.
Tightening the nylock nut will cause the control lever
to travel forward less before stopping. Loosening the
nylock nut will allow the control lever to travel further
forward.
4. Check the length of the reverse spring when the
control lever is in the neutral position. This dimension
should be 1.9”. If it is not, adjust the lower nylock nut
(Fig. 5-4) until the dimension is achieved.
5. Repeat for other side.
Steering dampener
Hustler Z Models
The steering dampeners (Fig. 5-5) are incorporated into
the unit to provide some resistance when the control levers
are moving forward or rearward. To set the steering
dampeners in the correct operating position follow these
steps:
1. Place the control lever in the neutral position.
2. Check the center distance from the dampeners front
mounting hole to the rear mounting hole. This
dimension should be 8.54”. If it is not, loosen the front
ball stud and slide the dampener in the mounting slot
until this dimension is attained. Re-tighten front ball
stud.
NOTE:
The dampener must not bottom out when the
pump lever is fully stroked in either direction.
Super Z Models
This steering dampener (Fig. 5-6) is spring loaded to
return the control levers to the neutral position from the
reverse position. This gives the operator a sense of neutral
during operation.
To set the steering dampeners in the correct operating
position follow these steps:
1. Place the control lever in the neutral position.
2. Loosen the steering dampener’s front ball stud.
3. Pull the dampener spring housing pass the point that
the internal spring is engaged.
4. Release the dampener spring housing and allow the
internal spring to bring the housing back to the neutral
position.
5. Tighten the nut on the steering dampener’s front ball
stud.
Control lever adjustment
The control levers can be adjusted for operator comfort.
By loosening the cap screws that attaches the upper control
lever to the lower lever (Fig. 5-7), the upper control lever
can be pivoted to fit the operator’s personal preference.
The control levers should be adjusted so that they align
with each other when in the neutral position.
350157 Rev 11/02
5-3
Figure 5-7
Cap screw
U
Up
pp
pe
err
c
co
on
nttrro
oll
lle
ev
ve
err
Lower control
lever
Figure 5-5
8.54”
Steering
dampener
Figure 5-6
S
Sp
prriin
ng
g
h
ho
ou
us
siin
ng
g
Front ball
stud