Z Master® 8000 Series Riding Mower

Note: Ensure that the discharge tube does not catch on the crate when driving the machine off the crate (Figure 4).

1. Remove the rear caster-wheel assembly from inside the hopper.

2. Remove the bolt holding the rear-frame support to the frame (Figure 1).

   Caution

   Raising the mower deck for service or maintenance relying solely on mechanical or hydraulic jacks could be dangerous. The mechanical or hydraulic jacks may not support the machine or may malfunction, allowing the machine to fall and cause injury.

   Do not rely solely on mechanical or hydraulic jacks for support. Use adequate jack stands or equivalent support.

3. Raise the rear of the machine approximately 25.4 to 30.5 cm (10 to 12 inches) and support it with jack stands or equivalent support (Figure 1).

   

   Figure 1

   1. Rear caster fork
   2. Bolt holding the rear-frame support
   3. Place the jack stands at the arrows.

4. Remove and discard the rear-frame support, located behind the drive tires, from the machine.

5. Install the rear caster wheel to the rear caster fork with a bolt (1/2 x 13 inches) and locknut (1/2 inch) (Figure 2).

6. Torque the bolt to 90.8 to 112.5 N∙m (67 to 83 ft-lb).

   

   Figure 2

   1. Bolt (1/2 x 13 inches)
   2. Rear caster wheel
   3. Locknut (1/2 inch)

7. Carefully remove the jack stands and lower the machine.

   Important: Ensure that the mower deck is in the upright position before raising the front of the machine.

8. Raise the front of the machine and support it with jack stands or an equivalent support (Figure 3).

   Note: Lift the mower deck just enough to remove the deck support and to insert other supports into the crate opening.

   

   Figure 3

   1. Place jack stands at the arrows.

9. Remove and discard the deck support from under the rear deck rollers.

   Note: Before lowering the deck into the operating position (steps 10 through 14), ensure that the crate opening under the mower deck is fully covered.

10. Place a plywood sheet (58.4 cm x 81.3 cm or 23 inches x 32 inches), or similar support, over the opening to provide support for the deck when you drive the machine off the crate (Figure 4).

    

    Figure 4

    1. Drive tire
    2. Discharge tube
    3. Plywood sheet under the rear deck rollers

11. Carefully remove the jack stands and lower the machine.

12. While supporting the mower deck, remove and discard the 2 side struts, mounting brackets, and their hardware on both sides of the seat (Figure 5).

13. Remove and discard the strut located between the front deck-support pins (Figure 5).

    

    Figure 5

    1. Deck-support pin
    2. Strut between deck-support pins
    3. Side strut hardware

14. With the deck-locking pins pulled out in the unlock position, carefully lower the deck (Figure 6).

    

    Figure 6

    1. Deck lift handle
    2. Rotate the deck-locking pin toward the rear and pull outward to unlock
    3. Push the deck-locking pin in and rotate toward the front to lock

15. Push the deck-locking pins inward and rotate them forward to securely lock the deck in the lowered position.

16. Raise the mower deck to the highest height-of-cut position.

17. Install pieces of wood, to form a ramp, in front of the rear tire (Figure 7).

    

    Figure 7

    1. Rear tire
    2. Wood ramp

18. To form a ramp, place 2 long pieces of wood in front of each front-caster tire (Figure 8).

    

    Figure 8

    1. Front caster
    2. Rear-deck rollers
    3. Plywood between the drive wheels
    4. Wood ramp for the front casters

    Note: Ensure that the discharge tube does not catch on the crate when driving the machine off the crate (Figure 4).

    Warning

    Operating the mower without the locking pins securely latched can result in the mower deck folding up unexpectedly. The mower deck folding up unexpectedly can cause serious injury.

    Always operate the mower with the locking pins securely latched.

19. Drive the machine off the crate.

1. Remove the rear caster-wheel assembly from inside the hopper.

2. Remove the bolt holding the rear frame to the crate (Figure 11).

3. Lift the front of the hopper up.

   Note: Use care when hoisting the machine to prevent damaging the hopper.

4. Using the hoist, lift the machine at the location shown in Figure 9.

   

   Figure 9

   1. With the hopper up, lift the machine on each side here

   Caution

   Raising the mower deck for service or maintenance relying solely on mechanical or hydraulic jacks could be dangerous. The mechanical or hydraulic jacks may not be enough support or may malfunction allowing the machine to fall, which could cause injury.

   Do not rely solely on mechanical or hydraulic jacks for support. Use adequate jack stands or equivalent support.

5. Raise the rear of the machine approximately 25.4 to 30.5 cm (10 to 12 inches) and support it with jack stands or equivalent support (Figure 10).

   

   Figure 10

   1. Rear caster fork
   2. Bolt holding rear frame
   3. Place jack stands at the arrows

6. Remove and discard the rear-frame support and its hardware which is located behind the drive tires.

7. Install the rear caster wheel to the rear caster fork with a bolt (1/2 x 13 inches) and locknut (1/2 inch) As shown in Figure 11.

8. Torque the bolt to 90.8 to 112.5 N∙m (67 to 83 ft-lb).

   

   Figure 11

   1. Bolt (1/2 x 13 inches)
   2. Rear caster wheel
   3. Locknut (1/2 inch)

9. Carefully remove the jack stands and lower the machine.

10. Lower the front of the hopper.

11. Tilt the seat up.

12. Place the hoist hooks on each side of the seat as shown in Figure 12.

    

    Figure 12

    1. Lift points on each side of the seat

    Important: Ensure the mower deck is in the upright position before raising the front of the machine.

13. Raise up the front of the machine, just enough to remove and discard the deck support from under the rear deck rollers.

14. Lower the machine to the ground.

15. Lift the front of the hopper up.

16. Using the hoist, lift the machine at the locations shown in Figure 9 and Figure 12.

17. Remove the crate from under the machine.

18. Lower the machine to the ground.

19. While supporting the mower deck, remove and discard the 2 side struts, mounting brackets, and their hardware on both sides of the seat (Figure 13).

20. Remove and discard the strut located between the front deck-support pins (Figure 13).

    

    Figure 13

    1. Deck-support pin
    2. Strut between the deck-support pins
    3. Side-strut hardware

21. With the deck-locking pins pulled out in the unlock position, carefully lower the deck (Figure 14).

    

    Figure 14

    1. Deck-lift handle
    2. Rotate the deck-locking pin toward the rear and pull outward to unlock.
    3. Push the deck-locking pin in and rotate toward the front to lock.

22. Push the deck-locking pins inward and rotate them forward to securely lock the deck in the lowered position.