Recycler® Kit

Groundsmaster® 3200 or 3300 Series Traction Unit with 60in or 72in Rear Discharge Rotary Mower

Model No. 31985-Serial No. and Up

Model No. 31986-Serial No. and Up

Installation

Preparing the Machine

  1. Park the machine on a level surface.

  2. Engage the parking brake.

  3. Raise the mower deck to the TRANSPORT position; refer to your Operator’s Manual.

  4. Shut off the engine and remove the key.

  5. Rotate the mower deck to the SERVICE position; refer to your Operator’s Manual.

Removing the Plugs

60-inch Deck:

g306750

Figure 1

  1. Plugs (8 total)

72-inch Deck:

g306753

Figure 2

  1. Plugs (7 total)

Removing the Blades

For Machines with an Aluminum Spindle

  1. Place a wrench on the flat of the spindle shaft or hold the blade end using a rag or thickly padded glove.

  2. Remove the blade bolt, bushing, and blade from the spindle shaft (Figure 3).

    Retain the parts for later installation.

    g295816

    Figure 3

    1. Sail area of the blade
    2. Blade
    3. Flat of the spindle shaft
    4. Bushing
    5. Blade bolt

Removing the Existing Baffles

For 60-inch Mower Decks

Remove the existing baffles and fasteners from the mower deck as shown in Figure 4.

Retain the parts if you remove the kit in the future.

g306149

Figure 4

For 72-inch Mower Decks

Remove the existing baffles and fasteners from the mower deck as shown in Figure 5.

Retain the parts if you remove the kit in the future.

g306752

Figure 5

Installing the Recycler Baffles

Parts needed for this procedure:

Rear, right baffle1
Rear, center baffle1
Rear, left baffle1
Side kicker baffle2
Center kicker baffle1
Locknut (3/8 inch)12
Carriage bolt (3/8 x 7/8 inch)12

For 60-inch Mower Decks

  1. Loosely secure the rear, right baffle to the mower deck using 3 carriage bolts (3/8 x 7/8 inch) and 3 locknuts (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 6.

  2. Loosely secure the rear, left baffle to the mower deck using 3 carriage bolts (3/8 x 7/8 inch) and 3 locknuts (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 6.

  3. Loosely secure the rear, center baffle to the mower deck using 2 carriage bolts (3/8 x 7/8 inch) and 2 locknuts (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 6.

  4. Loosely secure the rear, center baffle to the rear, right baffle using 1 carriage bolt (3/8 x 7/8 inch) and 1 locknut (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 6.

  5. Loosely secure the 2 side kicker baffles and center kicker baffle using 3 carriage bolts (3/8 x 7/8 inch) and 3 locknuts (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 6.

    Note: The hooked end of each kicker baffle attaches to the slot in the chamber baffle.

    Note: You may need to loosen the mating baffle to allow the hooked end of the kicker baffle to fit correctly.

  6. Plug the holes using the hardware removed in procedure Removing the Plugs.

    Install carriage bolts in the square holes. Install button-head bolts in round holes.

g306197

Figure 6

  1. Side kicker baffle
  2. Carriage bolt (3/8 x 7/8 inch)
  3. Locknut (3/8 inch)
  4. Center kicker baffle
  5. Rear, center baffle
  6. Rear, left baffle
  7. Rear, right baffle

For 72-inch Mower Decks

  1. Loosely secure the rear, right baffle to the mower deck using 2 carriage bolts (3/8 x 7/8 inch) and 2 locknuts (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 7.

  2. Loosely secure the rear, left baffle to the mower deck using 2 carriage bolts (3/8 x 7/8 inch) and 2 locknuts (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 7.

  3. Loosely secure the rear, center baffle to the mower deck using 3 carriage bolts (3/8 x 7/8 inch) and 3 locknuts (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 7.

  4. Loosely secure the rear, center baffle to the rear, right baffle and rear, left baffle using 2 carriage bolts (3/8 x 7/8 inch) and 2 locknuts (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 7.

  5. Loosely secure the 2 side kicker baffles and center kicker baffle using 3 carriage bolts (3/8 x 7/8 inch) and 3 locknuts (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 7.

    Note: The hooked end of each kicker baffle attaches to the slot in the chamber baffle.

    Note: You may need to loosen the mating baffle to allow the hooked end of the kicker baffle to fit correctly.

  6. Plug the holes using the hardware removed in procedure Removing the Plugs.

    Install carriage bolts in the square holes. Install button-head bolts in round holes.

g306751

Figure 7

  1. Side kicker baffle
  2. Carriage bolt (3/8 x 7/8 inch)
  3. Locknut (3/8 inch)
  4. Center kicker baffle
  5. Rear, center baffle
  6. Rear, left baffle
  7. Rear, right baffle

Installing the Blades

For Machines with an Aluminum Spindle

  1. Install the bushing through the blade with the bushing flange on the bottom (grass) side of the blade (Figure 8).

    g255205

    Figure 8

    1. Bushing

  2. Install the bushing/blade assembly into the spindle shaft (Figure 9).

    g298850

    Figure 9

    1. Top spindle nut
    2. Flat of the spindle shaft
    3. Blade bolt

  3. Apply copper-based lubricant or grease to the threads of the blade bolt as needed to prevent seizing. Install the blade bolt finger-tight.

  4. Place a wrench on the flat of the spindle shaft and torque the blade bolt to 75 to 81 N∙m (55 to 60 ft-lb).

Tightening the Hardware

  1. Tighten all nuts and bolts for the baffles.

  2. Rotate the blades and ensure that there is clearance between the blades and the baffles. If there is not, loosen the baffle(s) until there is clearance and then secure the baffle(s).

Completing the Installation

Rotate the mower deck to the MOWING position; refer to your Operator’s Manual.

Converting Back to Rear Discharge

  1. Park the machine on a level surface.

  2. Engage the parking brake.

  3. Raise the mower deck to the TRANSPORT position; refer to your Operator’s Manual.

  4. Shut off the engine and remove the key.

  5. Rotate the mower deck to the SERVICE position; refer to your Operator’s Manual.

  6. Remove the recycler baffles.

    Retain the hardware.

  7. Replace the recycler blades with standard blades (if applicable).

  8. Install the hex-socket bolts (3/8 x 3/4 inch) and the flange nuts (3/8 inch) in the holes on top of the deck with the bolt head underneath.

    Note: You must plug all open holes not covered by belt shields or the frame to prevent sand and/or other small objects from being thrown up through the deck.