3-Bushel Bagger

The safety-alert symbol (Figure 1) shown in this manual and on the machine identifies important safety messages that you must follow to prevent accidents.

Figure 1

Safety-alert symbol

The safety-alert symbol appears above information that alerts you to unsafe actions or situations and is followed by the word DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION.

DANGER indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.

WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.

This manual uses two other words to highlight information. Important calls attention to special mechanical information and Note emphasizes general information worthy of special attention.

1. Park the machine on a level surface.

2. Disengage the drives and engage the parking brake.

3. Shut off the engine and remove the ignition key.

4. Wait for all moving parts to stop.

5. Allow machine components to cool before performing maintenance.

6. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

7. If applicable, lower the platform.

8. Lift and lock the thigh pad into place.

Parts needed for this procedure:

1. Remove the side-discharge deflector from the deck (Figure 2).

   Important: Retain all removed hardware.

   

   Figure 2

   Danger

   An uncovered discharge opening will allow objects to be thrown in an operator’s or bystander’s direction. Also, contact with the blade could occur. Thrown objects or blade contact can cause serious injury or death.

   Never operate the mower with the discharge deflector raised, removed, or altered unless there is a grass collection system or mulch kit in place and working properly.

2. Assemble the side-discharge adapter as shown in Figure 3.

   Note: Do not completely tighten the fasteners securing the latch; the latch should be able to rotate freely.

   

   Figure 3

   1. Hex-head bolt (3/8 x 1-1/4 inches)
   2. Locknut (3/8 inch)
   3. Adapter hanger
   4. Washer (3/8 inch)
   5. Side-discharge adapter
   6. Latch

3. Lower the side-discharge adapter into the hole welded into the rear of the deck. Secure using a carriage bolt and locknut through the side of the deck (Figure 4).

   

   Figure 4

   1. Side-discharge adapter
   2. Mounting hole
   3. Locknut (5/16 inch)
   4. Carriage bolt (5/16 inch)

4. Rotate the latch from step 2 downward and tighten securely to hold the adapter in place.

Parts needed for this procedure:

1. Install the left and right catcher latches to the sides of the side-plate assembly using Phillips head screws, spring washers, and locknuts as shown in Figure 5.

   Note: Do not completely tighten the fasteners; the latches should be able to move up and down freely.

   

   Figure 5

   1. Phillips-head screw
   2. Spring washer (1/4 inch)
   3. Locknut (#10)
   4. Catcher latch
   5. side-plate assembly
   6. Locknut (3/8 inch)
   7. Front latch
   8. Carriage bolt (3/8 x 1-1/4 inches)

2. Install the front latch to the side plate using a carriage bolt (3/8 x 1-1/4 inches) and a locknut (3/8 inch) as shown in Figure 5.

   Note: Do not completely tighten the fasteners; the latch should be able to rotate freely.

3. Secure the anti-blowout bracket and the support channel to the side plate using 5 carriage bolts (1/4 x 5/8 inch) and 5 flanged locknuts (1/4 inch) as shown in Figure 6.

   

   Figure 6

   1. Flanged locknut (1/4 inch) [5]
   2. Anti-blowout bracket
   3. Support channel
   4. Carriage bolt (1/4 x 5/8 inch) [5]
   5. Support shaft
   6. Mounting pin

4. Insert the support shaft into the support channel and secure with the mounting pin (Figure 6).

1. Lower the side plate into the tube on the adapter (Figure 7).

   

   Figure 7

2. Insert the front pin of the side plate into the slot in the adapter. Rotate the front latch downward to lock the bagger in place (Figure 7).

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 8).

   

   Figure 8

   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 hex-head 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 9.

   

   Figure 9

   1. Handle
   2. Hex-head bolt (1/4 x 1 inch)
   3. Washer (1/4 inch)
   4. Locknut (1/4 inch)

1. Insert the lower pins of the bagger frame into the holes on the back plate (Figure 10).

2. Lift the latches and slide the frame side pins into them (Figure 10).

3. Lower the latches to secure the bagger.

   

   Figure 10

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

Important: If the grass catcher is removed from the machine, reinstall and flip down the discharge deflector before using mower for side discharge.

1. Disengage the machine PTO, move the motion control levers to the neutral locked position, and set the machine 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 mower.

5. Lower the grass deflector back into place.

1. Disengage the PTO, bring the machine to neutral position, and set 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 10).

5. Lift the latches and slide the frame side pins into them (Figure 10).

6. Lower the latches to secure the bagger.

1. Disengage the PTO, move the motion control levers to the neutral locked position and set 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 mower.

5. Insert the lower pins of the bagger frame into the holes in the back plate (Figure 10).

6. Lift the latches and slide the frame side pins into them (Figure 10).

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 mower. 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 bags.

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.