Cub Cadet PRO Z 772 L Operation Manual - Page 29

PRODUCT CARE 4. Start the engine and allow to idle for a few minutes to ensure engine is operating properly. 5. Drive the mower without a load to make certain all the mower systems are functioning properly. ADJUSTMENTS WARNING Shut the engine off, remove the ignition key, and engage the parking brake before making adjustments. Protect your hands by using heavy gloves when handling the blades. Deck Leveling NOTE: Check the mower's tire pressure before performing any deck leveling adjustments. Refer to Tires for information regarding tire pressure. Always level the deck side-to-side before front-to-rear. SIDE-TO-SIDE LEVELING 1. Park the mower on a flat paved surface, engage the parking brake, shut off the engine, remove the key from the ignition switch and disconnect the spark plug wires. Using the deck lift pedal position the mowing deck into the 4" height of cut position (The 4" height of cut position is recommended in order for one to see and obtain a measurement. Any height of cut position is acceptable as long as a proper measurement can be taken.) and rotate both outside blades so that they are perpendicular with the mower. 2. Measure the distance from the outside of the left blade tip to the ground and the distance from the outside of the right blade tip to the ground. Both measurements taken should be equal. If they are not, proceed to the next step. 3. Adjust the eyebolt (a) at the left front of the deck so that the blade-to-ground height at the right outside blade tip matches that of the left outside blade tip. This is done by loosening the jam nuts (b) on the eyebolt (a) and tightening the upper jam nut (b) to raise the deck and loosening the jam nut (b) to lower the deck. The right outer blade tip height is fixed by the right, front eyebolt (a) so you must adjust the left outer tip to match it (Figure 52). b b a Figure 52 4. Once the proper adjustment is made, re-tighten the jam nuts (b) (Figure 52). FRONT-TO-BACK LEVELING 1. Park the mower on a flat paved surface, engage the parking brake, shut off the engine, remove the key from the ignition switch and disconnect the spark plug wires. Using the deck lift pedal position the mowing deck into the 4" height of cut position (The 4" height of cut position is recommended in order for one to see and obtain a measurement. Any height of cut position is acceptable as long as a proper measurement can be taken.) and rotate both outside blades so that they are parallel with the mower. 2. Measure the blade-to-ground height at the right rear blade tip. Again be sure to measure the blade tip at the rear of the right blade when aligned along the mower centerline. The blade-to-ground height at the rear of the blade tip should be 1/8" to 1/4" higher than the front tip. This is referred to as blade pitch. The same height difference should be true for the left blade, measured front and back. The pitch should not exceed 1/16" if cut height is below 1-1/2". 3. Loosen the jam nuts (b) at the rear left and right of the deck eyebolts (a) (Figure 52). 4. Start at the rear right to raise the rear of the deck, tighten the upper jam nut (b) to raise the deck or loosen the upper jam nut (b) to lower the rear of the deck (Figure 52). 5. Adjust the jam nut (b) at the rear left to take the "slack" out of the threaded rod (Figure 52). 6. Tighten both lower jam nuts (b) to secure the deck adjustment (Figure 52). 7. The final adjustment would be to take the "slack" out of the left rear linkage if the rear of the deck was raised by adjusting the jam nuts (b) on the eyebolt (a). Loosen the jam nuts (b) and tighten the upper jam nut (b) to remove "slack" (Figure 52). 8. In many cases it will be necessary to adjust deck height using both eyebolt (a) adjustments and pitch adjustment to achieve the correct blade-to-ground heights. If you remember that the front right blade tip adjustment is fixed and you level to that height, adjusting the decks will be simplified (Figure 52). Adjusting the Front Gauge Wheels WARNING Keep hands and feet away from the discharge opening of the cutting deck. The front gauge wheels on the mower deck are an anti-scalp feature, and should not ride on the ground. The front gauge wheels should be approximately 1/4-1/2" above the ground when the deck is set in the desired height setting. Using the deck lift handle, set the deck in the desired height setting, then check the gauge wheel distance from the ground below. If necessary adjust the front gauge wheels as follows: 1. Visually check the distance between the front gauge wheels and the ground. If the gauge wheels are near or touching the ground, they should be raised. If more than 1/2" above the ground, they should be lowered. 2. Remove the lock nut (a) securing one of the front gauge wheels (b) to the deck. Remove the front gauge wheel (b), hex screw (c) and spacer (d) (Figure 53). NOTE: There are a pair of front gauge wheels on the nose of the 54" and 60" decks. b a d e c Figure 53 29