Safety Chain Kit

Tow-Behind Products

Model No. 139-3179-Serial No. and Up

Installation

Getting the Machine Ready

Preparing the Machine

Model 31905

  1. Connect the machine to the tow vehicle; refer to the Operator's Manual for the machine.

  2. Lower the mower decks; refer to the Operator’s Manual for your machine.

  3. Engage the parking brake for the tow vehicle, shutoff the engine, remove the key, and wait for all moving parts to stop before leaving the operator’s seat.

  4. Chock the tires of the machine.

  5. Lower the jack and support the machine; refer to the Operator's Manual for the machine.

    Important: You must fully support the weight of the machine with the jack.

  6. Disconnect the machine from the tow vehicle.

Preparing the Machine

Models 07053, 07055, 07068, 44507, 44701, 44552, 44552TE, 44554 and 44751

  1. If connected to a tow vehicle, engage the parking brake for the tow vehicle, shutoff the engine, remove the key, and wait for all moving parts to stop before leaving the operator’s seat.

  2. Chock the tires of the machine.

  3. If the machine is not connected to a tow vehicle, support the machine so that the tongue is clear of the ground; refer to the Operator's Manual for the machine.

Installing the Safety Chains

Parts needed for this procedure:

Safety chain2
Capscrew (1/2 x 5-1/2 inches)1
Washer4
Flange bushing (Models 07053, 07055, 07068, 44507, 44701, 44552, 44552TE, 44554 and 44751)2
Flange locknut (1/2 inch)1

Assembling the Safety Chains to the Machine

Model 31905

  1. Remove the flange locknut (1/2 inch), washer (1/2 inch), and capscrew (1/2 x 4-1/2 inches) that secures the clevis to the hitch tube as shown in Figure 1.

    g280662

    Figure 1

    1. Capscrew (1/2 x 4-1/2 inches)
    2. Washer (1/2 inch)
    3. Flange locknut (1/2 inch)
    4. Clevis

  2. Assemble the 2 safety chains to the clevis (Figure 2) with the 2 capscrews (1/2 x 5-1/2 inches), 4 washers (1/2 inch), and the flange locknut.

    g280660

    Figure 2

    1. Safety chain
    2. Washer (1/2 inch)
    3. Flange locknut (1/2 inch)
    4. Capscrew (1/2 x 5-1/2 inches)
    5. Clevis

  3. Torque the locknuts and capscrews to 67 to 83 N∙m (91 to 113 ft-lb).

Assembling the Safety Chains to the Machine

Models 07053, 07055, 07068, 44507, 44701, 44552, 44552TE, 44554 and 44751

  1. Insert a flange bushing into the bottom hole at each side of the tongue channel (Figure 3).

    g286827

    Figure 3

    1. Flange bushing
    2. Tongue channel

  2. Assemble the chains, washers to the tongue channel (Figure 4) with the capscrew (1/2 x 5-1/2 inches) and flange locknut (1/2 inch).

    g286826

    Figure 4

    1. Flange locknut (1/2 inch)
    2. Washers
    3. Capscrew (1/2 x 5-1/2 inches)
    4. Chains

  3. Torque the locknuts and capscrews to 67 to 83 N∙m (91 to 113 ft-lb).

Operation

Connecting the Safety Chains to the Tow Vehicle

  1. Assemble the mower to the tow vehicle; refer to the Operator’s Manual for the mower.

  2. Assemble the spring hook of the right safety chain to the safety chain anchor point at the left side of the tow vehicle (Figure 5).

    Important: The safety chains must cross each other below the hitch.

    g280661

    Figure 5

    1. Safety chain anchor point (D-rings shown)
    2. Spring hook (safety chains)

  3. Assemble the spring hook of the left safety chain to the safety chain anchor point at the right side of the tow vehicle (Figure 5).