Mulching Kit

1. Park the machine on a level surface.

2. Disengage the power takeoff and lower the attachments.

3. Engage the parking brake.

4. Shut off the engine and remove the key.

5. Wait for all movement to stop and allow the machine to cool.

6. Rotate the cutting unit into the maintenance position; refer to your machine Operator’s Manual.

7. Thoroughly clean the cutting unit. Remove all debris to ensure that the plug fits properly against the cutting unit.

1. Remove the existing wing-blade assemblies; refer to the mower-deck maintenance section in your machine Operator’s Manual.

   Set aside the bolts, spring lock washers, and curved washers for the mulching-blade installation procedure.

   Important: The right-blade assembly bolt has a left-handed thread. Turn the blade bolt clockwise to loosen it.

2. Save the existing wing-blade assemblies for use when you use the hopper for collection.

Parts needed for this procedure:

1. Raise the hopper, secure it, and remove the grass chute; refer to your machine Operator’s Manual.

   Note: Retain the chute for when you remove this kit.

2. Assemble the rod to the plug bracket using the locknut and washer as shown in Figure 1.

3. Install the plug bracket assembly to the top of the chute hole on the cutting unit as shown in Figure 1.

   

   Figure 1

   Section view shown

   1. Discharge-chute plug
   2. Plug tab
   3. Rod
   4. Plug bracket
   5. Locknut and washer

4. Align the discharge-chute plug beneath the cutting unit and hook the rod to the tab on the plug (Figure 1).

5. Tighten the locknut on the rod to secure the plug to the cutting unit.

Parts needed for this procedure:

1. Hold a blade-assembly end using a cloth or a thickly-padded glove.

2. Use the previously-removed parts from the wing-blade-assembly removal procedure (bolts, spring lock washers, and curved washers) and spacers to install the blade assemblies to their respective sides (Figure 2).

   

   Figure 2

   1. Bolt
   2. Spring washer
   3. Curved washer
   4. Mulching blade (right)
   5. Spacer
   6. Mulching blade (left)

3. Rotate the blades, by hand, to verify that the plug does not interfere with their operation; adjust the plug position as needed.

4. Torque the blade bolts to 53 N∙m (39 ft-lb).