48in, 52in, or 60in Recycler® Kit

1. Park the machine on a level surface.

2. Move the motion-control levers to the NEUTRAL-LOCK position.

3. Engage the parking brake.

4. Shut off the engine and remove the key.

5. Thoroughly clean the mower deck. Remove all debris to ensure that the baffles will fit properly.

6. Repair all bent or damaged areas of the mower deck and replace any missing parts.

Refer to the Operator’s Manual for instructions on removing the blades.

The recycler blades are sold separately. Contact your Authorized Service Dealer.

1. Remove the flange nuts holding the baffle in place (Figure 1).

2. Remove the bolts holding the baffle in place (Figure 1).

3. Remove the baffle and replace the nuts and bolts in the holes for the baffle (Figure 1).

4. Remove the hardware as indicated in Figure 1. Save the hardware.

Note: Save the baffle and hardware for use when changing to side-discharging mode.

Figure 1

1. Bolts
2. Baffle
3. Nuts
4. Remove the hardware before installing the baffles.

Parts needed for this procedure:

1. Install the discharge plate to the outside of the mounting bracket with 2 carriage bolts (3/8 x 1-1/4 inches) and 2 flange nuts (small flange) (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 2.

2. Install the tab to the inside of the mower deck with 1 carriage bolt (5/16 x 7/8 inch) and 1 flange nut (5/16 inch) as shown in Figure 2.

   

   Figure 2

   1. Carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch)
   2. Discharge plate
   3. Flange nut (3/8 inch)
   4. Carriage bolt (5/16 x 7/8 inch)
   5. Flange nut (5/16 inch)
   6. Ensure that the tab is positioned inside the mower deck.

Parts needed for this procedure:

Note: Loosely install the baffles to align the baffles with all holes in the mower deck (Figure 3).

1. Position the right baffle into the mower deck.

2. Loosely install the right baffle to the discharge plate with 1 carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch) and a flange nut (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 3.

3. Loosely install the right baffle to the top of the mower deck with 1 carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch) and 1 flange nut, (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 3. Refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 for the correct holes to use.

4. Loosely install the right baffle to the mower deck with 1 carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch) and 1 flange nut (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 3.

5. Position the left baffle into the mower deck.

6. Loosely install the left baffle to the top of the mower deck with 1 bolt (3/8 x 1 inch) and 1 flange nut (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 3. Refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 for the correct holes to use.

7. Loosely install the left baffle to the mower deck with 1 carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch) and 1 flange nut (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 3.

8. Loosely install the left baffle to the side of the mower deck with 1 carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch) and 1 flange nut (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 3.

   

   Figure 3

   52-inch mower deck shown

   1. Carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch)
   2. Flange nut (3/8 inch)
   3. Left baffle
   4. Right baffle
   

   Figure 4

   48-inch mower deck shown

   1. Use these holes for 48-inch mower decks
   

   Figure 5

   52-inch mower deck shown

   1. Use these holes for 52-inch mower decks

9. Position the center baffle into the mower deck.

10. Loosely install the center baffle to the left baffle with 1 carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch) and 1 flange nut (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 6. Refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 for the correct holes to use.

11. Loosely install the center baffle to the right baffle with 1 carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch) and 1 flange nut (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 6.

12. Loosely install the center baffle to the top of the mower deck with 1 bolt (3/8 x 1 inch) and 1 flange nut (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 6. Refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 for the correct holes to use.

    

    Figure 6

    1. Right baffle
    2. Carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch)
    3. Left baffle
    4. Flange nut (3/8 inch)
    5. Center baffle

Parts needed for this procedure:

Note: Loosely install the baffles to align the baffles with all holes in the mower (Figure 7).

1. Position the right baffle into the mower.

2. Loosely install the right baffle to the discharge plate with 1 carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch) and 1 flange nut (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 7.

3. Loosely install the right baffle to the top of the mower deck with 1 carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch) and 1 flange nut, (3/8 inch). Refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8.

4. Loosely install the right baffle to the mower deck with 1 carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch) and 1 flange nut (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 7.

5. Position the left baffle into the mower.

6. Loosely install the left baffle to the top of the mower deck with 1 bolt (3/8 x 1 inch) and 1 flange nut (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 7.

7. Loosely install the left baffle to the mower deck with 1 carriage bolts (3/8 x 1 inch) and 1 flange nuts (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 7.

8. Loosely install the left baffle to the side of the mower deck with 1 carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch) and 1 flange nut (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 7.

   

   Figure 7

   60-inch mower deck shown

   1. Carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch)
   2. Left baffle
   3. Flange nut (3/8 inch)
   4. Right baffle
   

   Figure 8

   1. Use these holes for 60-inch mower decks.

9. Position the center baffle into the mower.

10. Loosely install the center baffle to the left baffle with 1 carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch) and 1 flange nut (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 9.

11. Loosely install the center baffle to the right baffle with 1 carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch) and 1 flange nut (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 9.

12. Loosely install the center baffle to the top of the mower deck with 1 bolt (3/8 x 1 inch) and 1 flange nut (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9.

    

    Figure 9

    1. Carriage bolt (3/8 x 1 inch)
    2. Flange nut (3/8 inch)
    3. Center baffle
    4. Left baffle
    5. Right baffle

Refer to the Operator’s Manual for instructions on installing the blades.

The recycler blades are sold separately. Contact your Authorized Service Dealer.

1. Tighten all nuts and bolts for the baffles (Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 6, Figure 7, and Figure 9).

2. Rotate the blades and ensure that there is clearance between the blades and the baffles. If there is interference, loosen the baffle and reposition it.

Remove approximately 25 mm (1 inch) or no more than 1/3 of the grass blade when cutting. In exceptionally lush and dense grass you may need to raise the height of cut setting or convert to side discharge or bagging.

Air is required to cut and recut grass clippings in the mower housing, so do not set the height-of-cut too low or surround the housing by uncut grass. Always try to have 1 side of the mower housing free from uncut grass, allowing air to be drawn into the housing. When making an initial cut through the center of an uncut area, operate the machine slower and back up if the mower starts to clog.

Grass grows at different rates at different times of the year. To maintain the same cutting height, mow more often in early spring. As the grass growth rate slows in mid summer, mow less frequently. If you cannot mow for an extended period, first mow at a high cutting height, then mow again 2 days later at a lower height setting.

A sharp blade cuts cleanly and without tearing or shredding the grass. A dull blade tears and shreds the grass. Tearing and shredding causes the grass to turn brown at the edges, which impairs growth and increases susceptibility to disease.

To ensure optimum performance, clean the underside of the mower housing after each use. If residue builds up in the mower housing, cutting performance decreases.