27
Troubleshooting, Adjustment & Service
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.
4. See Figure 26. 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.
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.
WARNING
Use two hands when adjusting the shock springs.
This will prevent the wrench from slipping while
pressure is being applied.
4. Remove the upper shock mounting hardware and
pivot the shock to the position #2 (see Figure 26).
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.
Figure 26. Rear Suspension Adjustments
POSITION #1
(FACTORY SET)
POSITION #2
