Soft Side Bagger

1. Park the machine on a level surface.

2. Disengage the PTO and engage the parking brake.

3. Shut off the engine, remove the key, and wait for all moving parts to stop before leaving the operating position.

Parts needed for this procedure:

1. Install the support on the back plate using 4 bolts (1/4 x 5/8 inch) and 4 locknuts (1/4 inch); Figure 1.

   

   Figure 1

   1. Back plate
   2. Locknuts (1/4 inch)
   3. Support
   4. Bolts (1/4 x 5/8 inch)

2. Install the mounting bracket to the back plate with 3 bolts (1/4 x 5/8 inch) and 3 locknuts (1/4 inch); Figure 2.

   Note: For 36-inch and 48-inch decks, an adapter kit is needed. Order Part no. 121-7515.

   

   Figure 2

   1. Bolts (1/4 x 5/8 inch)
   2. Mounting bracket
   3. Back plate
   4. Locknuts (1/4 inch)

3. Install the clamp to the bagger and adapter with a bolt (3/8 x 3/4 inch) and locknut (3/8 inch); Figure 3.

   

   Figure 3

   1. Locknut (3/8 inch)
   2. Clamp
   3. Bolt (3/8 x 3/4 inch)

4. Install the latches to both sides of the back plate using 4 phillips-head screws, 4 lock washers, and 4 locknuts (#10); Figure 4.

   Important: Do not completely tighten the nuts; the latches should be able to move up and down.

   

   Figure 4

   1. Left latch
   2. Phillips-head screw
   3. Lock washer
   4. Right latch
   5. Locknut (#10)

Parts needed for this procedure:

1. Slide the upper curved portion of the bagger frame into the bag and the long straight rod down toward the pan.

2. Snap the J-strips over the frame rods (Figure 5).

   

   Figure 5

   1. Rod
   2. J-strip

3. Arrange the bag around the frame.

4. Place the handles over the slots on each side of the frame.

5. Push 2 bolts (1/4 x 1 inch) through each handle and the fabric from the outside, and secure them with 4 washers (1/4 inch), and locknuts (1/4 inch) as shown in Figure 6.

   

   Figure 6

   1. Handle
   2. Bolt (1/4 x 1 inch)
   3. Washer (1/4 inch)
   4. Locknut (1/4 inch)

Parts needed for this procedure:

Note: For 48-inch and 54-inch decks use the rounded-edge-discharge baffle; for 36-inch and 60-inch decks use the square-edge-discharge baffle (Figure 7).

Figure 7

1. Rounded-edge-discharge baffle
2. Square-edge-discharge baffle

1. Remove the 2 bolts and 2 nuts securing the existing discharge baffle to the deck and remove the discharge baffle (Figure 8).

   Note: Retain the baffle and corresponding hardware for converting back to side discharge.

   

   Figure 8

   54-inch deck shown

   1. Nut
   2. Cutoff baffle
   3. Bolt

2. For 36-inch and 60-inch decks: Install the square-edge-discharge baffle with appropriate hardware as shown in Figure 9.

   

   Figure 9

   1. For 36-inch decks: Bolt (5/16 x 1 inch); for 60-inch decks: Carriage bolt
   2. For 36-inch decks: Bolt (3/8 x 1 inch); for 60-inch decks: Button-head bolt
   3. Nut (5/16 inch)
   4. Square-edge-discharge baffle
   5. For 36-inch decks: Locknut (3/8 inch); for 60-inch decks: Nut (5/16 inch)

3. For 48-inch and 54-inch decks: Install the rounded-edge-discharge baffle and bagger guard with appropriate hardware as shown in Figure 10.

   

   Figure 10

   1. Carriage bolt
   2. Bolt (3/8 x 1 inch)
   3. Bagger guard
   4. Nut (5/16 inch)
   5. Rounded-edge-discharge baffle
   6. Locknut (3/8 inch)

1. Remove the cotter pin (Figure 11).

   Retain the pin for use in Step 4 in Installing the Bagger onto the Machine.

2. Disengage the spring from the notch in the deflector bracket and slide the rod out of the welded deck brackets, spring, and discharge deflector (Figure 11).

   

   Figure 11

   1. Rod
   2. Cotter pin
   3. Deflector
   4. Spring
   5. Deck brackets
   6. Spring installed over the rod

3. Remove the discharge deflector.

   Warning

   An uncovered discharge opening could allow the machine to throw objects at you or bystanders and result in serious injury. Also, contact with the blade could occur.

   Never operate the machine unless you install a mulch plate, discharge deflector, or grass collection system.

1. Position the front and rear tab on the bagger mounting bracket onto the machine as shown in Figure 12.

2. Install the spring onto the straight end of the rod.

3. Position the spring on the rod as shown so that the shorter spring end is coming from under the rod before the bend and going over the rod as it returns from the bend.

4. Install the previously removed rod and corresponding cotter pin; refer to Figure 12.

   

   Figure 12

   1. Mounting bracket front tab
   2. Chute pin
   3. Hairpin
   4. Mounting bracket rear tab

5. If you are installing the bagger for the first time or are moving it to a machine of a different size, move the bagger clamp to the appropriate hole in the back plate for your machine size.

   Note: Do not remove or install the clamp to remove or install the back plate when using the bagger on a machine of the same size. Lift the back plate off of the machine.

6. Insert the lower pins of the bagger frame into the holes on the back plate (Figure 13).

7. Lift the latches and slide the frame side pins into them (Figure 13).

8. Lower the latches to secure the bagger.

   

   Figure 13

   1. Back plate holes
   2. Frame pin
   3. Latch
   4. Lower pin

• Become familiar with all operating and safety instructions in the Operator's Manual for your machine before using this attachment.

• Before doing any of the following procedures or leaving the operator’s position:

  • Disengage the PTO and engage the parking brake.

  • Shut off the engine, remove the key, and wait for all moving parts to stop.

• Do not remove the bag while the engine is running.

• Always shut off the engine, wait for all moving parts to stop, and remove the key before clearing an obstruction from the bagging system.

• Do not do maintenance or repairs while the engine is running.

1. Disengage the PTO and engage the parking brake.

2. Shut off the engine, remove the key, and wait for all moving parts to stop before leaving the operating position.

3. Lift the latches and remove and empty the grass bag.

4. Lift the back plate off of the machine.

1. Disengage the PTO and engage the parking brake.

2. Shut off the engine, remove the key, and wait for all moving parts to stop before leaving the operating position.

3. Lift the latches and remove and empty the grass bag.

4. Insert the lower pins of the bagger frame into the holes in the back plate (Figure 13).

5. Lift the latches and slide the frame side pins into them (Figure 13).

6. Lower the latches to secure the bagger.

1. Disengage the PTO and engage the parking brake.

2. Shut off the engine, remove the key, and wait for all moving parts to stop before leaving the operating position.

3. Lift the latches and remove and empty the grass bag.

4. Use a stick or similar object, not your hands to remove and clear the obstruction from the machine.

5. Insert the lower pins of the bagger frame into the holes in the back plate (Figure 13).

6. Lift the latches and slide the frame side pins into them (Figure 13).

7. Lower the latches to secure the bagger.

1. Inspect all the fasteners and latches; replace any that are missing or damaged.

2. Inspect the bag for damage and replace any damaged parts.

3. Tighten all hardware.

   Warning

   You or bystanders could be severely injured by flying debris or thrown objects that may pass through torn, worn, or deteriorated grass bags.

   • Check the grass bags for holes, rips, wear, and other deterioration.

   • If the bag has deteriorated, install new grass bags supplied by the manufacturer of this bagger attachment.

Clean the bagger after each use.

1. Remove the bag and wash the back plate and the underside of the machine. Use a mild automotive detergent to remove stubborn dirt.

   Important: Do not pressure wash the bagger.

2. Remove matted grass from all parts.

3. After washing, let all parts dry thoroughly.

   Note: Do not wash the grass bag.

1. Clean the bagger; refer to Cleaning the Bagger.

2. Inspect the bagger for damage; refer to Inspecting the Bagger.

3. Ensure that the bag is empty and dry.

4. Store the bagger in a clean, dry place, out of direct sunlight. This extends the life of the bagger. If you must store it outside, cover it with a weatherproof cover.