CONGRATULATIONS on the purchase of a new
collection system. It has been designed, engineered
and manufactured to give you the best possible
dependability and performance.
Should you experience any problem you cannot easily
remedy, please contact the nearest authorized service
center/ department. They have competent, welltrained technicians and the proper tools for service
and repairs.
Please read and retain this manual. The instructions
will enable you to assemble and maintain the
collection system properly. Always observe the
SAFETY RULES.
KNOW YOUR BLOWER SYSTEM
READ THIS OPERATION MANUAL AND SAFETY
RULES BEFORE ASSEMBLING OR OPERATING THE
BLOWER SYSTEM. Compare the illustrations with the
carton contents and become familiar with the parts
before starting the assembly. Study the operating
instructions and safety precautions thoroughly to
insure proper functioning of the Grass Catcher and to
prevent injuries. Save this manual for future reference.
CAUTION
BEFORE ASSEMBLING GRASS
CATCHER TO MOWER:
• Set parking brake.
• Place motion control levers in
NEUTRAL position.
• Turn ignition key OFF and remove
key.
• Make sure the blades and all moving
parts have completely stopped.
CAUTION
• DO NOT operate mower with grass
catcher partially installed.
• Disengage blades and stop engine
before leaving mower seat to empty
containers, unclogging chutes, etc.
• Close cover before starting.
• Disengage mower blades when
crossing driveways or gravel
surfaces and other areas where
thrown objects could be a hazard.
• DO NOT attempt to vacuum cans
or other potentially hazardous
projectiles.
CAUTION
The operation of any mower can result
in foreign objects thrown into the eyes,
which can result in severe eye damage.
ALWAYS wear safety glasses or eye
shields before starting the mower and
while mowing. Standard safety glasses
are recommended or a wide vision safety
mask for over spectacles.
CAUTION
Do not leave grass in bagger containers.
Empty containers after each use and
before storing. Failure to do so may
result in spontaneous combustion which
could develop into a fire.
CAUTION
Grass catcher components are subject
to wear, damage and deterioration,
which could expose moving parts or
allow objects to be thrown. Frequently
check components and replace with
manufacturer’s recommended parts,
when necessary.
MOUNT, GUARD, BELT ...................................18
TOOLS REQUIRED
7/16" Wrench or ratchet and socket
9/16" Wrench or ratchet and socket
½" Wrench or ratchet and socket
¾" Wrench or ratchet and socket
7/8" Socket
Torque Wrench
Phillips Head Screwdriver
Hacksaw
Pliers
Drill and 3/8" drill bit
NOTE: When the terms RH (right hand) or
LH (left hand) are used, it refers to when the
operator is seated on the mower.
CONTAINER CONTENTS
• Blower/Bagger Assembly • Drive Pulley
• Belt Shield • Belt
• Mounting Brackets • Bag of Hardware
Page 4
SAFETY RULES
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES FOR RIDE-ON MOWERS
GENERAL OPERATION
• Read, understand and follow all instructions in the
manual and on the machine before starting.
• Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar
with the instructions, to operate the machine.
• Clear the area of objects such as rocks, stones,
toys, wire etc., which could be picked up and
thrown by the blades.
• Be sure the area is clear of all people and pets
before mowing. Stop the machine if anyone enters
the area.
• Never carry passengers or children even with
blades off.
• Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely
necessary. Always look down and behind before
and while backing.
• Do not operate the mower without either the entire
grass catcher or the guard in place.
• Slow down before turning.
• Stop engine before removing grass catcher or
unclogging chute.
• Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
• Do not operate the machine while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.
• If the collection system has front weights
included, DO NOT operate mower with the grass
catcher unless the front weights are installed.
• Keep machine free of grass, leaves or other
debris buildup which can touch hot exhaust/
engine parts and burn. Do not allow the mower
deck to plow leaves or other debris which can
cause buildup to occur.
• Allow machine to cool before storage.
SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and
tip-over accidents, which can result in severe injury or
death. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot
back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not
mow it.
DO
• Use extra care with grass catchers or other
attachments. These can change the stability of
the machine.
• Mow up and down slopes (10° Max.), not across.
• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain
could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide
obstacles.
• Use slow speed. Choose a low speed so that you
will not have to stop while on the slope.
• Keep all movement on the slopes slow and
gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed
or direction.
• Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires
lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed
slowly straight down the slope.
DO NOT
• Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then,
turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
• Do not mow near drop-off, ditches, or
embankments. The mower could suddenly turn
over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff or ditch,
or if an edge caves in.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction
could cause sliding.
• Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your
foot on the ground.
SERVICE
• The operation of any mower can result in foreign
objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in
severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses
or eye shields while operating the mower or
performing any adjustments or repairs. Wide
vision safety mask over spectacles or standard
safety glasses are recommended.
• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade attachment
bolts, tight and keep equipment in good
condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check there
proper operation regularly.
• Grass catcher components are subject to wear,
damage, and deterioration, which could expose
moving parts or allow objects to be thrown.
Frequently check components and replace
with manufacturer’s recommended parts, when
necessary.
4
Page 5
ASSEMBLY
DRIVE PULLEY
1
1. Remove the discharge chute from the deck
by removing the side hardware from the chute
bracket. Retain the hardware for reuse if the
collection system is removed.
2. Lower deck to the lowest cutting position.
3. Remove the right hand (discharge side) belt cover
from the deck.
Belt Cover
Discharge
Chute
Hardware
4. Relieve the tension from the deck belt and remove
the belt from the center deck pulley.
(See Operator Manual if necessary)
5. Remove the nut securing the right hand deck
pulley to the spindle.
6. Install drive pulley included in collection system
kit on top of the current deck pulley.
7. Reinstall the nut on the spindle and torque to 5575 ft/lbs.
8. Reinstall the deck belt.
Drive Pulley
TRIMMING BLOWER
2
1. Place blower assembly on secure table or stable
surface.
2. Remove the bolts securing the rear mount
bracket.
3. Using the hacksaw, trim the blower housing along
the recessed grooves.
4. Reinstall the rear mount bracket with previously
removed bolts.
Mount Bracket
Rear
Trim Line
MOUNTING BLOWER ASSEMBLY
3
1. Position blower over the discharge tabs on the
deck and set blower onto the deck.
2. Install the front mount bracket to the deck with the
pin and hairpin cotter supplied with the kit.
Outer Pulley Cover
Pin
5
Page 6
ASSEMBLY
DRIVE BELT
4
1. Make sure the tension release lever is forward
(disengaged).
2. Place the belt over the pulley on the deck. Refer
to illustration for proper routing.
3. Move the tension release arm to the rear and
engage in the latch.
Outer Pulley
BELT COVERS
5
1. Place the deck belt shield on the deck over the
drive pulley and secure with hardware removed
from steel belt shield.
2. Place retainer on the outer pulley cover.
3. Align the tab end of the belt cover into the slot on
the deck belt shield and the other end over the
end of the outer pulley cover.
4. Secure with knob.
Knob
Deck Belt Shield
Belt Cover Tab
Middle Chute
Latch
Idler Pulleys
Belt Twist
Outer Pulley
Cover
Retainer
6
Page 7
BAGGER MOUNT
6
ASSEMBLY
1. Using 1¾" round head shoulder bolts and nuts,
attach the mount hitch to the mount tube as
illustrated. Make sure the elbowed arm of the tube
is on the right side, with the mount hitch installed
to the front.
2. Attach the support bracket to the tube assembly
with two 1¾" round head shoulder bolts and nuts.
3. With a 1" hex bolt and nut, secure the lower mount
hitch to the frame.
FRONT
Spacer Plate
Support Bracket
4. Install the mount straps (bends are to the inside)
on the outside of the mount tube using 2" hex
bolts and nuts. The front side of the mount straps
are secured to the fuel tank brackets with 1" round
head shoulder bolts and nuts.
5. To prevent contact of the left hand strap with
the EFM (Electronic Fuel Management) box on
the engine, place the foam strip on the inside of
the strap, next to the box. (Illustration location is
approximate.)
6. It may necessary to drill holes into the rear
guard to accept the hardware for the support
bracket and spacer plate. Using the bracket as a
template, drill 5/16" holes.
7. Slip the spacer plate between the support bracket
and the rear guard and attach both to the rear
guard with ¾" hex bolts and nuts as illustrated.
8. Tighten all hardware.
Foam Strip
Mount Straps
Mount Tube
Lower Mount Hitch
Support Bracket and
Spacer Plate
7
Page 8
ASSEMBLY
CHUTE SUPPORT
7
1. Position upper chute support against bagger inlet,
flush at outer edges. See Illustration.
2. Using support as a template, drill two 3/8 holes into
bagger hood.
Upper Chute Support
COVER ASSEMBLY
8
NOTE: For ease of assembly, you may wish
assistance from another person for mounting
the cover assembly to mower.
1. Position cover assembly on ground behind
mower.
2. Lift and rotate cover to align the cover brackets
with support assembly tubes.
3. Slide the cover down over the support tubes until
secure.
Cover Assembly
3. Secure upper chute support to hood with hex
bolts, washers and nyloc nuts.
Flex Trim
MIDDLE CHUTE
9
1. Place middle chute over the top end of the blower
assembly, lining up the blower latch and the
acorn nut on the middle chute.
2. Stretch bungee latch up onto acorn nut to secure.
Middle Chute
Chute Latch
8
Page 9
ASSEMBLY
UPPER CHUTE ASSEMBLY
10
1. Slide upper chute onto middle chute, lining up the
middle chute latch and the acorn nut on the upper
chute.
2. Stretch bungee latch up onto acorn nut to secure.
Upper Chute
CHUTE / HOOD INSTALLATION
11
Push upper chute through the gasketed opening in
the cover assembly.
Cover Inlet
9
Page 10
ASSEMBLY
WEIGHT ASSEMBLY
12
1. Remove the foot plate knob and foot plate. Set
aside for later reuse.
2. Remove and reserve the three rubber grommets
from the foot rest.
3. Remove the foot rest for replacement. Retain
hardware for reuse.
Foot Plate
Foot Rest
6. Fasten the three weight plates to the weight
brackets.
4. Install the three rubber grommets to the new foot
rest and fasten the assembly to the frame with the
hardware from the old foot rest.
5. Reinstall the foot plate and secure with the knob.
Replacement Foot Rest
10
7. Secure the weight plate assembly to the front
frame of the mower between the caster wheels.
Weight Plate
Assembly
Page 11
OPERATION
TIPS FOR IMPROVED BAGGING
• Follow the mower operation instructions in you
mower operator manual.
• When operating the grass catcher on a lawn
where grass and leaf bagging equipment has
not been used, thatch and debris that has
accumulated for long periods of time is picked
up. The amount collected and the total time of
operation may be greater than experienced with
regular use of the grass catcher.
• Always run throttle at full speed when bagging.
• Select a speed low enough to give good mower
cutting performance, good quality cut and good
bagging performance.
NOTE: It may be necessary to overlap width of
cut to suit conditions.
• If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed
twice. The first time relatively high, the second
time to desired height.
• Use left hand side of mower for trimming.
• Plastic trash bags (3.0 mil, 30 gallon) can be
inserted inside grass catcher containers for ease
of debris disposal. To remove the plastic trash
bags when full:
a. Disengage blades, shift into neutral, engage
the parking brake and stop the engine.
b. Unlatch and raise cover.
c. Remove one container at a time by grasping
container handles and pulling toward the rear,
off of the tube rails.
d. With the container resting on the ground, close
and secure the top of the plastic lawn bag.
e. Tip the container on its side and slide the filled
bag from the container.
f. Install a new plastic lawn bag with the edges
of the bag draped over upper lip of the
Container.
g. Repeat for other containers.
h. Reinstall containers making sure center
containers overlap at center supports.
i. Close cover and secure latches over center
support tubes.
• Avoid cutting wet grass or in the morning while the
dew is still heavy. Grass clippings collected under
these conditions tend to be sticky and adhere to
the walls of the flow path causing clogging.
• If the grass catcher fails to pick up cut grass
or leaves, it is an indication that clogging has
occurred in the system or that the grass catcher
containers are full.
a. Disengage blades, place motion control levers
in neutral position.
- Unlatch and raise cover.
- Slide out containers and dispose of
clippings.
- Replace containers, close cover, and latch.
b. Unlatch chutes and check for clogging.
- Remove all debris in chute.
- Reassemble and latch chutes.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Always observe safety rules when performing any
maintenance. Before each use check for loose
fasteners. Clean unit thoroughly after each use.
BLADE CARE
For best results mower blades must be kept sharp.
Replace bent or damaged blades.
See BLADE CARE instructions in the mower operator
manual.
STORAGE
When grass catcher is to be stored for a period of
time, clean it thoroughly, remove all dirt, grass, leaves,
etc. Store in a clean, dry place.
11
Page 12
BLOWER ASSEMBLY
34
REPAIR PARTS
46
65
51
18
24
16
30
56
11
12
19
53
53
44
9
13
45
50
63
14
58
8
63
41
2
58
6
32
22
60
10
61
62
58
7
33
52
32
58
43
13
66
5
17
26
49
63
1
56
40
15
28
27
55
50
64
40
54
38
37
50
23
57
25
3
4
21
59
60
48
12
47
64
48
59
20
31
42
65
35
29
Page 13
REPAIR PARTS
ITEM PART NO. QTY. DESCRIPTION ITEM PART NO. QTY. DESCRIPTION
ITEM PART NO. QTY. DESCRIPTION ITEM PART NO. QTY. DESCRIPTION
1.. 539 130344 .... 1 .... HOUSING w/DECALS
2.. 539 130293 .... 1 .... COVER, BELT
3.. 574 411501 .... 1 .... COVER, BELT
4.. 539 130292 .... 1 .... IMPELLER
5.. 539 130295 .... 1 .... HUB
6.. 539 113683 .... 1 .... PULLEY, V-IDLER
7.. 539 130324 .... 1 .... PULLEY
8.. 579 150802 .... 1 .... PULLEY, IDLER
9.. 579 137402 .... 1 .... MOUNT, UPPER BLK
10.. 579 137502 .... 1 .... MOUNT, LOWER BLK
11.. 579 137302 .... 1 .... ARM, IDLER
12.. 539 130338 .... 1 .... ARM, TENSION
13.. 539 130301 .... 2 .... BUSHING
14.. 539 132124 .... 1 .... PLATE, BACKING
15.. 539 130341 .... 1 .... PLATE, OUTER
16.. 539 104411 .... 1 .... KNOB w/ STUD
17.. 539 130323 .... 1 .... SPACER
18.. 522 909801 .... 1 .... PIN, RETENTION
19.. 539 108088 .... 1 .... LATCH, HOOD
20.. 539 115667 .... 1 .... KEY 3/16 x ½
21.. 539 125229 .... 1 .... KEY 1½
22.. 539 104763 .... 1 .... RETAINER, U TYPE
23.. 539 130316 .... 1 .... SHAFT, IMPELLER
24.. 539 976988 .... 1 .... HAIRPIN COTTER
25.. 539 130349 .... 1 .... DECAL, BELT ROUTING
26.. 539 105785 .... 1 .... DECAL, WARNING
27.. 539 106741 .... 1 .... DECAL, SEVERING
28.. 539 101977 .... 1 .... SPRING, TRACTION
29.. 522 909402 .... 1 .... TUBE, RUB
30.. 579 137602 .... 1 .... KEEPER, BELT REAR BLK
31.. 539 131085 .... 1 .... KEEPER, BELT OUTER BLK
32.. 579 137702 .... 1 .... KEEPER
33.. 539 130296 .... 2 .... BEARING
34.. 522 909602 .... 1 .... BRACKET, MOUNT
35.. 522 909502 .... 1 .... BRACKET, RETENTION
36.. 525 618302 .... 1 .... SAND LINER, TOP
37.. 522 909702 .... 1 .... SAND LINER, BOTTOM
38.. 539 990645 .... 1 .... RHSNB 3/8-16 x 1
39.. 539 990316 .... 6 .... RHSNB 5/16-18 x ¾
40.. 539 990208 .... 6 .... RHSNB 5/16-18 x 1
41.. 539 976949 .... 1 .... HCS 3/8-16 x 1¾
42.. 539 101721 .... 4 .... HCS 5/16-18 x 2¾
43.. 539 990643 .... 1 .... HCS ¼-20 x 7/8
44.. 539 990209 .... 1 .... HCS 5/16-18 x 1
45.. 539 990655 .... 1 .... HCS 3/8-16 x 1½
46.. 539 130315 .... 6 .... HCS 5/16-18 x ½
47.. 539 108461 .... 3 .... BOLT ¼-20 x ½ HWST
48.. 539 110321 .... 2 .... BOLT 3/8-24 x 1¼ HEX GR 8