CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a new Grass
Catcher. It has been designed, en gi neered and manu fac tured to give you the best pos sible de penda bil ity and
per form ance.
Should you experience any prob lems you can not easily
remedy, please contact your nearest au tho rized service
center/department. They have com pe tent, well trained tech ni cians and the proper tools to service or repair this unit.
Please read and retain this manual. The in struc tions will
enable you to assemble and main tain your Grass Catch er
properly. Always observe the "SAFETY RULES".
48” Mower
Model No.
LTGTB48A
CAUTION: BEFORE ASSEMBLING GRASS CATCHER TO TRACTOR:
• Depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake.
• Place gearshift/motion control lever in neutral (N) position.
• Place attachment clutch in "DISENGAGED" position.
• Turn ignition key "OFF" and remove key.
• Make sure the blade and all moving parts have completely stopped.
• Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug.
UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS
• Remove all parts and packing materials from carton.
• Check carton contents against list. Be sure all parts are
there.
TOOLS REQUIRED FOR LAWN TRACTOR
ASSEMBLY ONLY -
(1) 9/16" Wrench
Look for this symbol to point out
im por tant safety precautions. It means
CAU TION!!! BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.
(1) Support Assembly
for Lawn Tractor
(2) Shoulder Bolts for
Lawn Tractor Assembly
(1) Support Assembly
for Garden Tractor
PARTS IDENTIFICATION
GRASS
CATCHER
CONTAINERS
02079
COVER
UPPER CHUTE
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DUMP
BAG
INDICATOR
CHUTE LATCH
LOWER CHUTE
ATTACHING
LOWER CHUTE
STRAPS
11.11.03
Printed in U.S.A.
HANG SUPPORT ASSEMBLY ON REAR
02051
DRAWBAR
1
FOR LAWN TRACTORS
Lawn Tractors have a vertical rear drawbar. Use the support
assembly shown and the two (2) shoulder bolts supplied (See
Figs. 1A & 1B).
REMOVE AND DISCARD UPPER BOLTS
AND INSTALL SHOULDER BOLTS
SUPPLIED
MOUNT COVER ASSEMBLY TO
SUPPORT ASSEMBLY (See Fig. 2)
2
Lift and rotate to align, slide completely down onto
support assembly.
LAWN TRACTOR
SUPPORT
ASSEMBLY
LAWN TRACTOR
FIG. 1A
02530
REAR DRAWBAR
RETAINER
SPRING
FIG. 1B
Be sure support assembly is seated properly and secure
with retainer spring.
Discard the Garden Tractor support assembly shown below.
COVER
ASSEMBLY
SUPPORT
ASSEMBLY
FOR GARDEN TRACTORS
Garden Tractors have a slanted rear drawbar. Use the support
assembly shown (See Fig. 1C).
GARDEN TRACTOR
SUPPORT
ASSEMBLY
INSERT FLANGES
FIRST INTO
DRAWBAR SLOTS
02543
FIG. 1C
Be sure support assembly is seated properly and secure
with retainer spring.
Discard the Lawn Tractor support assembly and shoulder
bolts shown above in Fig. 1A.
GARDEN TRACTOR
REAR DRAWBAR
RETAINER
SPRING
02532
FIG. 2
2
ASSEMBLE CONTAINERS (See Fig. 3)
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02097
3
• Place bottom half inside of top half, as shown.
• Place one foot inside and lift top half.
• Press halves tightly together while lifting top to lock
into place.
IMPORTANT: Before locking the tabs, hooked edges
on both halves must overlap to form seal all the way
around the container - see inset.
CONTAINER
BOTTOM HALF
2089
0
CONTAINER ASSEMBLY CHECK: Squeeze sides of lower
half to see if there are any gaps between upper and lower
halves. If a gap appears, unlock tabs, separate halves and
repeat assembly.
MOUNT CONTAINERS (See Fig. 4)
4
CONTAINER
TOP HALF
39
027
CONTAINER
TOP HALF
PRESS TOGETHER
TO FORM SEAL
WHILE LIFTING
TOP HALF
• Install one container to left side fi rst with warning
to outside of unit. Center container next, then right
side.
NOTE: Right con tain er should always over lap left
con tain er at center sup ports.
• Close cover and lock latch handles over center support
tubes.
COVER LATCH
HANDLES
CONTAINER
WARNING
CONTAINER
BOTTOM
HALF
LOCKING
TAB
FIG. 3
CENTER
SUPPORT
CONTAINER
HANDLE
TUBES
CONTAINER
WARNING
FIG. 4
3
ATTACH LOWER CHUTE (See Fig. 5)
0
2
101
02100
5
• Raise defl ector shield and place slot in chute over tab
on mower deck.
• Position chute over mower opening and hook rear and
front latches.
CAUTION: Do not remove defl ector
shield from mower. Raise and hold
shield when attaching lower chute
and allow it to rest on chute while in
operation.
INSTALL UPPER CHUTE
(See Figs. 6A & 6B)
6
• Insert curved end into hole in back of cover.
NOTE: Be carefully so as not to damage dump bag in di ca tor.
• Align bosses on lower chute with slots on upper chute
and slide together.
• Hook rubber latch over latch pin.
TAB
DEFLECTOR
SHIELD
OPTIONAL FRONT
GAUGE WHEEL
COVER
UPPER
CHUTE
DUMP BAGGER
INDICATOR
FIG. 6A
ALIGNMENT
SLOT
HANDLE
LOWER
CHUTE
LATCH PIN
FRONT
02552
REAR LATCH
FIG. 5
LATCH
BOSSES
FIG. 6B
LEVEL MOWER DECK
7
Be sure deck is properly leveled for best mower per for mance.
See your tractors owner's manual for instructions.
RUBBER
LATCH
4
TIPS FOR IMPROVED BAGGING
OPE RA TION:
Follow the mower operation instructions in your tractor
owner's manual.
If you have 3-in-1 mulch blades on your mower, it is not
necessary to change the blades. However, high lift blades are
available at your nearest Sears store or service center.
When operating your grass catcher on a lawn where grass
and leaf bagging equipment has not been used, you are
picking up thatch and debris that has accumulated for long
periods of time. The amount collected and the total time
of operation may be greater than you will experience with
regular use of your grass catcher.
• Always run throttle at full speed when bagging.
• Select a gear low enough to give good mower cutting
performance, good quality cut and good bagging
per for man ce.
NOTE: It may be necessary to overlap width of cut to suit
your conditions.
• If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice. The
fi rst time relatively high, the second time to desired
height.
• Use left hand side of mower for trimming.
• Plastic trash bags 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, en ga ge the
par king brake and stop the engine.
b. Raise seat. Unlatch and raise cover.
c. Remove one container at a time by grasping
con tai ner 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 fi lled 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 right con tai ner
overlaps left container at center supports.
j. Close cover and secure latches over center suppor t
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 fl ow path causing clogging.
• Your bagger is equipped with a dump bag indicator. As
the bags become full, the fl ow indicating ball will drop
down in its slot, indicating that the bags are full or the
chutes have become clogged. Care should be taken
not to damage the parts and that the ball moves freely
at the beginning of each use.
NOTE: To help prevent clogging of chutes, check/empty
bags when ball begins to drop down in the slot. Experience
will teach you the best time to empty the bags.
• 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, shift into neutral, en ga ge the
parking brake and stop the engine.
- Raise seat. 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 chutes.
- Reassemble and latch chutes
c. Check to insure dump bag indicator has not become
clogged.
- The air passage hole must be clear of debris.
Gently insert a small twig or wire into pas sage way
to clear.
CAUTION
• Do not operate mower with grass catch er
par tial ly installed.
• Disengage blades and stop engine be fore
leav ing tractor seat to empty con tain ers,
un clog ging chutes, etc.
• Close cover before starting.
• Disengage mower when crossing drive ways
or gravel surfaces and other areas where
thrown objects could be a hazard.
• Do not attempt to vacuum up cans or other
potentially hazardous pro jec tiles.
5
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Always observe safety rules when performing any main te nance.
• Before each use check for loose fasteners.
• Clean unit thoroughly after each use.
BLADE CARE
For best results mower blades must be kept sharp. Re place
bent or damaged blades.
• See BLADE CARE instructions in your tractor owner's
manual.
CAUTION: BEFORE PERFORMING ANY
MAIN TE NANCE, SERVICE OR AD JUST MENTS:
• Depress clutch brake pedal fully and
set parking brake.
• Place gearshift/motion control lever in
"NEU TRAL" position.
• Place clutch control in "DIS EN GAGED"
po si tion.
• Turn ignition key to "OFF" position.
• Make sure blades and all moving parts
have completely stopped.
• Disconnect spark plug wire(s) from
spark plug(s) and place wire where it
cannot come in contact with plug.
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.
CAUTION: Do not leave grass in bagger
containers. Empty containers after each
use and before storing. Failure to do so
may result in spontaneous com bus tion
which could develop into a fi re.
CAUTION: Tow only the attachments
that are recommended by and comply
with specifi cations of the ma nu fac tu rer
of your tractor. Use common sense
when towing. Operate only at the
lowest possible speed when on a slope.
Too heavy of a load, while on a slope,
is dangerous. Tires can lose traction
with the ground and cause you to lose
control of your tractor.
CAUTION: Do not coast down a hill
in neutral, you may lose control of the
tractor.
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.
6
SAFETY RULES
Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers
IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROWING OBJECTS. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE
FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
I. 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, toys, wire, etc., which
could be picked up and thrown by the blade.
• Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop
machine if anyone enters the area.
• Never carry passengers.
• Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. Always look
down and behind before and while backing.
• Be aware of the mower discharge direction and do not point it at
anyone. Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass
catcher or the guard in place.
• Slow down before turning.
• Never leave a running machine unattended. Always turn off blades, set
parking brake, stop engine, and remove keys before dismounting.
• Turn off blades when not mowing.
• Stop engine before removing grass catcher or unclogging chute.
• Mow only in daylight or good artifi cial light.
• Do not operate the machine while under the infl uence of alcohol or
drugs.
• Watch for traffi c when operating near or crossing roadways.
• Use extra care when loading or unloading the machine into a trailer
or truck.
• Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and above, are involved in
a large percentage of riding mower-related injuries. These operators
should evaluate their ability to operate the riding mower safely enough
to protect themselves and others from serious injury.
Keep machine free of grass , leaves or other debris build-up which
can touch hot exhaust / engine parts and burn. Do not allow the
mower deck to plow leaves or other debris which can cause build-up
to occur. Clean any oil or fuel spillage before operating or storing
the machine. Allow machine to cool before storage.
II. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to loss-of-control and tipover 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.
III. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children.
Children are often attracted to the ma chine and the mowing activity.
assume that children will remain where you last saw them.
• Keep children out of the mowing area and under the watchful care of
another responsible adult.
• Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area.
• Before and when backing, look behind and
• Never carry children. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere
with safe machine operation.
• Never allow children to operate the machine.
• Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other
objects that may obscure vision.
IV. SERVICE
• Use extra care in handling gasoline and other fuels. They are fl ammable
and vapors are explosive.
- Use only an approved container.
- Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow
engine to cool before refueling. Do not smoke.
- Never refuel the machine indoors.
- Never store the machine or fuel container inside where there is an
open fl ame, such as a water heater.
• Never run a machine inside a closed area.
• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade attachment bolts, tight and keep
equipment in good condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation
regularly.
• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean oil
or fuel spillage. Allow machine to cool before storing.
• Stop and inspect the equipment if you strike an object. Repair, if necessar y,
before restarting.
• Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine running.
• 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.
• Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves,
and use extra caution when servicing them.
• Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service as required.
down
for small children.
Never
DO:
• Mow up and down slopes, not across.
• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could overturn the
machine.
• Use slow speed. Choose a low gear so that you will not have to
stop or shift while on the slope.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel weights or
counterweights to improve stability.
• Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These
can change the stability of the machine.
• Keep all movement on the slopes
sudden changes in speed or direction.
• Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage
the blades and proceed slowly
DO NOT:
•
Do not
gradually downhill, if possible.
•
Do not
could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff or ditch,
or if an edge caves in.
•
Do not
•
Do not
ground.
•
Do not
Tall grass can hide obstacles.
slow
and
gradual
. Do not make
straight
down the slope.
turn on slopes unless necessary, and then, turn slowly and
mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments. The mower
mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding.
try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the
use grass catcher on steep slopes.
• Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop machine
if anyone enters the area.
• Never carry passengers or children even with the blades off.
• Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary. Always look down
and behind before and while backing.
• Never carry children. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere
with safe machine operation.
• Keep children out of the mowing area and under the watchful care of
another responsible adult.
• Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area.
• Before and when backing, look behind and down for small children.
• Mow up and down slopes (15° 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 gear so that you will not have to stop or
shift while on the slope.
• Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the
blades and proceed slowly straight down the slope.
• If machine stops while going uphill, disengage blades, shift into reverse
and back down slowly.
• Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then, turn slowly and
gradually downhill, if possible.