Wright 27543 User Manual

Page 1
HYDRO PISTOL GRIP
Commercial Mower Owner’s Manual

WARNING: READ THIS MANUAL BEFORE USING

Revised 06/2007
For your safety and for proper operation and maintenance read
carefully and keep readily available for future reference.
Additional replacement owner’s manuals as well as illustrated parts lists are available from your authorized Wright Dealer for a nominal charge. Also check www.wrightmfg.com most up to date product literature. Please note the model number and serial number of your
Wright product.
For reference please note the following information at the time of purchase:
SERIAL #: ______________________________ MODEL #: ______________________________
DATE OF PURCHASE: ____________________
for the
Wright Manufacturing Inc.
Page 2
Foreword
Welcome to the progressive group of mowing professionals who use Wright mowers. We are focused on giving you advanced engineering and quality construction in each mower we build.
This manual explains the features and promotes safer use of the mower. Please read it and follow the instructions carefully so you can have many years of productive mowing.
For service, remember that your Wright dealer knows your mower best and is interested in your satisfaction. He can provide you with quality maintenance and other assistance you may need.
Please give this manual to anyone who may use the mower for them to study before they operate it. Give the manual to anyone to whom you may sell the mower in the future. It is important for the next owner to receive this information also.
As Wright Manufacturing, Inc. is constantly seeking ways to improve its products, the mower you have may differ slightly from the information and specifications in this manual. Because of our continuous product improvement, Wright reserves the option to make changes at any time without notice.
Wright Manufacturing, Inc.

SAFETY ALERT

This is the safety alert symbol. It is used throughout this manual and on the mower’s
safety labels to alert you to potential personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages
that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death. Read these instructions
carefully. It is essential that you read the instructions and safety precautions before you
attempt to work on or use this unit.

WARNING

This symbol with the word “WARNING” indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION

This symbol with the word “CAUTION” indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
©2005 Wright Manufacturing, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or copied, in whole or part, without written permission from Wright Manufacturing, Inc. Grass Gobbler, Gobbler, Leaf Gobbler, Turbo10, Velke, Pro 1, X2 and Velke Mower are trademarks of Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
Page 3
Table of Contents
PRE-DELIVERY SERVICE OF MOWER BY DEALER..............................................................1
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS..........................................................................................................3
I
NTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................3
GENERAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ...............................................................................................3
SER EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS ....................................................................................3
U U
SER CLOTHING .......................................................................................................................4
INSPECT MOWER BEFORE EACH USE..........................................................................................4
WORK AREA CONDITIONS & INSPECTION.....................................................................................4
INITIAL OPERATING SAFETY GUIDELINES .....................................................................................5
OPERATION ON SLOPES ............................................................................................................5
PERATION IN REVERSE ............................................................................................................6
O O
PERATION IN FORWARD DIRECTION ..........................................................................................7
FUEL SAFETY............................................................................................................................7
HYDRAULIC SAFETY...................................................................................................................7
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS ..................................................................................................8
BASIC OPERATION.....................................................................................................................8
MOWER OPERATION..................................................................................................................8
HOW TO STOP AND PARK THE MOWER........................................................................................9
HOW TO DRIVE THE MOWER OVER A CURB .................................................................................9
MOWING ON VARYING TERRAIN ..................................................................................................9
HOW TO ADJUST THE SPEED.......................................................................................................9
HOW TO PERFORM THE NEUTRAL AND TRACKING ADJUSTMENT ....................................................9
STRAIGHT LINE TRACKING ADJUSTMENTS..................................................................................10
HOW TO TEST/USE THE BLADE CLUTCH/BRAKE SWITCH.............................................................10
HOW TO TEST THE OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL (OPC) SWITCH ..........................................10
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS....................................................................................................10
Tire Maintenance and Pressure ........................................................................................10
Hydraulic Motor Support Adjustment.................................................................................10
Blade Adjustments and Height-of-Cut ...............................................................................10
Belt Tension Adjustment....................................................................................................11
Moving the Mower with the Engine Off..............................................................................11
Bleeding Air from the Hydraulic System............................................................................11
Battery Service (if electric start version)............................................................................12
Cleaning the Mower ..........................................................................................................12
MAINTENANCE INTERVAL CHART.......................................................................................13
MAINTENANCE RECORD.......................................................................................................14
Page 4
* * This Page Intentionally Left Blank * *
Page 5

Pre-Delivery Service Of Mower By Dealer

If you are not completely familiar with the Safety Instruction Manual read it now before proceeding with the Pre-Delivery
WARNING
The Wright Mower is shipped completely assembled and has been adjusted and tested at the factory. However, due to the jostling of the shipping process and the delivery time lapse, the following items need to be repeated again before starting the mower. After you have uncrated the mower, follow these procedures in the order indicated:
Remove spark plug wire from spark plug(s).
Inspect the mower for any damage, unusual conditions or missing parts.
Inspect the mower for all of its decals, especially the warning decals. There should be one blade
warning decal on each side of the deck, the “shield missing” decal under the blade belt cover, and the dash decal.
Check to ensure belt guard is in place before operation.
Check (and fill if necessary) engine oil level according to the engine manufacturer’s recommendation.
Check (and fill if necessary) hydraulic fluid level. The level should be about 1-2” below the top of the
oil fill. Use fully SYNTHETIC oil: Mobil-1 15W-50.
Check tire pressures. Adjust to recommended pressure. It should be even on both sides but the recommended pressures are generally different for the front and rear tires. Higher pressures will help keep the caster tires on their rims when impacted from the side but give a stiffer ride. Some Front Casters are equipped with non-pneumatic tires and do not require any air.
Remove the blade belt cover and check (and tighten if necessary) all belt tensions according to specifications discussed later in this manual. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.
Rotate the blade pulleys slightly to see if they all turn together. (Note: Clutch Brake will create some resistance.)
Lubricate all moving parts
Reinstall the blade belt cover.
Remove battery (if electric start version) from machine and fully charge (if necessary) in an open,
well-ventilated area according to the recommendations of the battery charger manual. The battery is 12 volts. After fully charged, install on mower and attach battery cables, positive first (from starter motor) and negative last (from ground).
Fill fuel tank with regular unleaded gasoline. Open fuel valve under gas tank.
DO NOT START THE ENGINE AT THIS TIME. FOLLOW THE NEXT PROCEDURE BEFORE
STARTING. The hydraulic system MUST be checked for proper operation before allowing wheels to operate on the ground.
Set the rear of the machine on jack stands or blocks to raise rear wheels off the ground two or three inches and check to be sure that the mower will not fall off the supports you devise. The stand(s) must be able to secure the mower from rolling off or away during the next procedures. Check under the mower deck for any debris or unusual conditions.
With hand controls and speed control in the neutral position, apply the parking brake.
Open the manual bypass valve on top of each pump a half-of-a-turn counterclockwise.
Reattach spark plug wires to spark plugs.
Before starting the engine be ready to stop it if the wheels begin to turn with the brake on. (If this
happens, check that the manual bypass valve on top of each motor are open at least a half-of-a­turn counterclockwise.)
Start the engine according to the engine manufacturer’s recommendation. Let the engine run at low RPM for several minutes to get the hydraulic fluid circulating through the pumps, etc. Release the parking brake. Now gradually close the manual bypass valve on top of each pump one at a time,
Service of the mower. Only your authorized Wright Mower dealer should perform the Pre-Delivery Service of the mower
1
Page 6
and see if the wheels start to move. If the wheels move when the hand controls are in neutral position, adjust the neutral adjustment allen screw located on each pump until they stop. The manual bypass valve on top of each pump should now be firmly closed. Now try moving the hand control levers, one at a time, to make the wheels move in forward and backward rotation. Check to see if the wheels move forward and backward according to position of the levers. If not, service the hand control system. If the wheels stop when the hand controls are in the neutral position the parking brake should now be applied. Now check if the parking brake locking system (if applicable) prevents the unit from being driven while engaged. If not, service the parking brake locking system.
Before testing the blade clutch/brake operation, make sure the area is clear and there is nothing vulnerable to possible thrown objects from under the mower. No one should be near the mower deck or in its line of discharge at this or at any time. The discharge chute deflector should be in the down position. Move the engine throttle control to its highest RPM speed setting.
Turn on the blade clutch switch. Run blades for a minute or so. Try engaging and disengaging the blades a few times about 10 seconds apart. If the blades do not start and stop in a few seconds each time, service the blade brake system. With the blades on, now try disengaging the OPC switch to test the Operator Presence Control switch (OPC). The engine should die and the blades should stop in several seconds. If not, service the OPC system. Try this a couple of times.
Disengage the blades, shut off the engine and remove the mower from the stand(s).
Drive the mower around on a level parking lot. It is recommended that the slower setting of the Speed
Adjustment be used. (See further in this manual for information on Speed Adjustment.) Check that the mower drives in a straight line when both hand controls are at the full speed position. If not, see further in this manual for information on tracking adjustment.
As you drive the mower, listen for any unusual noises and test for irregular operation and adjust or service as necessary. Next, go over the safety information and operating procedures in this manual with the customer. Instruct the customer in proper operation and observe the customer during their initial operation on a level parking lot. Make sure the customer is familiar and comfortable with the basic operation and use of the mower.
Dealer: Please fill out and follow the instruction the customer fill out his part of the form. After the Product Registration Card is filled out and signed by the customer and a representative from your dealership, please mail or fax it immediately (within 14 days from date of retail purchase) to your Wright Commercial Products Distributor according to the directions on the Card. Then give the customer his copy of the registration form and then keep your copy and mail the remaining copies of the form to your Wright Manufacturing Products Distributor. The limited warranty is not valid unless the mower is registered and all of the above steps are taken. Remember, the purchaser is both your and our customer and his satisfaction is very important. Thank you for supporting our products.
The mower is now ready for delivery to your customer.
on the Product Registration Form and have
2
Page 7

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

or serious
esult
oderate
This symbol with the word “WARNING” indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death
The Velke Mower is built to the highest standards in the industry. However, carelessness or operator error may result in serious bodily injury or death. Accident and hazard prevention are dependent upon the awareness, concern, wisdom, and proper training of the personnel involved in the operation, transport, maintenance, and storage of the equipment. Make sure every operator is properly trained and thoroughly familiar with all of the information in this manual before operating the equipment.
The Velke Mower is designed with your safety in mind. It has the following safety systems with which you should be familiar:
The warning decals on the mower including the instrument panel warning
The blade switch must be “off” before starting the engine
You must engage the OPC switch in order to engage the blades
You must engage the OPC switch in order for the engine to run if the blades are engaged
If the OPC switch becomes disengaged while the blades are running the engine will stop and the blades will brake in seconds
Spring loaded chute deflector helps reduce trajectory of thrown objects
Belt/pulley covers on cutter deck and at rear under pump pulleys
WARNING
injury.

TO WRIGHT MOWER USERS & OWNERS: READ THIS

WARNING
MANUAL BEFORE USING. PLEASE BE CAREFUL!

Introduction

General Safety Instructions

CAUTION
This symbol with the word “CAUTION” indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could r
in minor or m
Owner/User Notice
The owner’s/user’s obligation is to instruct themselves and all potential users in the safe operation of this equipment and be sure they read and follow the instructions in this safety manual and other material provided by Wright Manufacturing, Inc. before using or allowing others to operate the equipment. Do not operate this unit unless you carefully read, understand and follow the assembly, installation, and safety instructions contained in this manual and the warning decals provided on the unit. Do not allow other persons to use this unit unless you make sure they carefully read, understand and follow these instructions. Never allow children to operate or play on the unit.
User Experience and
This product is designed for use by physically fit, experienced, professional commercial mower operators who have a minimum of 160 hours of experience operating twelve horsepower and greater industrial mowers. Operators must be 18 years or older. They must have read and understood this manual. DO NOT allow children to operate the mower. Do not allow adults to operate the mower without proper instruction mentioned above. Never allow passengers on the mower.
injury.
WARNING
WARNING
Qualifications
3
Page 8
WARNING

User Clothing

DO NOT operate the mower while wearing sandals, tennis shoes, sneakers or shorts. Always wear long non-baggy pants. Wear high­top leather work boots with thick, textured tread, soft-rubber soled at all times. Hard or smooth soled shoes are too slippery for a good footing the Velke™ or sulky. NEVER wear loose-fitting clothing which could get caught in moving parts or jacket pockets that can get caught to the handlebars or control levers of any mower you drive. Wearing safety glasses, ear protection and safety shoes is advisable and required by some local ordinances and insurance regulations.
WARNING

Inspect Mower Before Each Use

DO NOT use the mower if any parts are not maintained in good operating condition. Examine the moving parts prior to each use. Look for excessive wear, bald or worn tires, cracks in parts, loose or missing bolts, cotter, linchpin or “hair” pins or cable yoke pins and replace before operating the mower. Make sure all safety equipment provided with the mower is in good operating order, including all the warning decals and the required operator­presence device which stops the engine and blades when the hand-operated Operator Presence Control (OPC) switch is released. (To test the OPC, follow instructions in the
Operating Instructions section of this manual.)
Be sure that all parts of the hand-operated transmission control system are tight and secure. This is to reduce the possibility that the mower could have a loss of control or safety.
WARNING
Regular Mower Safety
Maintenance
Replace worn tire(s) with less than 3/32” of any tread groove left. Use tires with the tread pattern specified by Wright Mfg., Inc. only.
4
Grease all fittings daily. DO NOT change the engine governor settings or over-rev the engine contrary to engine manufacturer specifications. Keep the Wright mower in good operating condition, and keep safety devices and shields in place and in working condition. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition. Check the blade mounting bolts for proper tightness every eight (8) hours of operation. Check the blades for excessive wear and sharpness every four to eight (4-8) hours of operation. Replace excessively worn blades. Sharpen dull blades. The mower should not be used after the blades or other part of the mower strikes a foreign object, until conducting a thorough inspection and any damage is repaired. See the instructions in the Recommended Maintenance section of this manual for other items of required maintenance.
WARNING
Work Area Conditions &
Inspection
Prior to operating the unit, carefully inspect all lawn/ground areas where you plan to use the mower for hidden, hard-to-see objects or uneven ground that may be hidden in the grass. Clear the work area of movable objects such as wires, rocks, glass, etc. that might be picked up by the mower and dangerously thrown. Remove, if possible, or mark the location of all immovable objects or irregular areas and be sure not to hit them with any part of the mower, its deck or the blades. Obstacles such as holes, abrupt changes in ground contour, tree trunks, stumps or roots, stub pipes protruding from the ground, paving edges, etc. in the path of operation can abruptly turn or stop the mower. This could throw you off the Velke™ or sulky or into and possibly over the handles causing serious injury or death. The faster you are moving the more potential there is for injury. Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light. Keep away from drop-offs, the edges of ponds, streams, pools, etc. especially at the bottom of slopes. Do not mow when children or others are around. When the Wright mower is in use, never direct the grass discharge toward bystanders, traffic, cars or buildings nor allow anyone near the machine while in operation.
Page 9
Thrown objects can pass through glass windows and some walls of buildings. There is extreme risk of danger from thrown objects or being cut by the blades of the mower or being run over if you lose control. Never operate the mower in an enclosed area without good, approved ventilation. Exhaust fumes are dangerous.
WARNING

Initial Operating Safety Guidelines

Read and understand the warning on the
instrument panel of the mower.
Keep a firm hold on the handles at all times.
Know the controls and how to stop quickly.
Before attempting to start the engine, follow
all starting instructions below and in the engine operator’s manual.
Look behind before backing up and STEP
OFF of the Velke sulky prior to backing up. NEVER stand on the sulky while backing up.
Before leaving the operator’s position, even
momentarily, turn off the blade clutch engagement switch, place the speed control lever in the neutral position and apply the parking brake. Keep others from coming near the mower. Return to the operator position as soon as possible.
When leaving the Wright mower unattended,
turn off the blade clutch engagement switch, place the speed control lever in the neutral position, apply the parking brake, stop the engine and remove the key. Never leave the machine unattended on a slope. If the parking brake becomes disengaged, the mower could roll which would be hazardous.
When transporting, driving onto transport
vehicles, into buildings, across parking lots or otherwise not mowing grass, turn off the blade clutch engagement switch to reduce risk of thrown objects and rotating blade hazard. After coming to a stop place the speed control lever in the neutral position, apply the parking brake, stop the engine and remove the key.
Before performing any maintenance or repair
service, mowing height or other adjustments, disengage power to blades,
place the speed control lever in the neutral position, apply the parking brake, stop the engine, remove ignition key and spark plug wire from spark plug(s).
DO NOT allow inexperienced people to operate the mower until they have read and understood these safety instructions. Operate the mower at slower speeds while becoming familiar with it.
Speeding is dangerous for even an experienced operator. Sudden stops from excessive speeds may cause serious injury.
The grass discharge chute deflector must be installed at all times and in the down position except that it may be raised when the grass catcher is completely installed.
If the mower discharge clogs, turn off the blade clutch switch, place the speed control lever in the neutral position, apply the parking brakes, stop the engine and remove the key before removing obstruction.
Keep all shields and covers in place, especially grass discharge chute deflector, the blade belt cover, and the pump belt/pulley cover.
Keep hands, feet and clothing away from rotating parts, especially the rear wheels, blades, engine flywheel, belts and pulleys.
Do not touch engine or muffler while engine is running or soon after it is stopped. These areas can be so hot as to cause severe burns.
Clean grass, leaves and lubricant spills from surfaces after use to prevent fire hazard.
Be alert for traffic when crossing roads or operating near roadways.
Before crossing gravel drives, sidewalks or roads, turn off the blades and wait for them to stop.
WARNING

Operation On Slopes

DO NOT operate on steep slopes. Do not operate the mower on slopes steeper than you can feel secure about the traction of the tires and the stability of the mower. Do not operate the mower on slopes at all when the grass is wet. There is a danger of suddenly sliding
5
Page 10
sideways or down the hill. When operating on a slope, travel across the grade whenever possible, not in an up or down pattern. Reduce speed and exercise extreme caution on slopes and in sharp turns to prevent tipping or loss of control. Be especially cautious when changing direction on slopes.
The Wright mower is capable of greater traction on slopes than typical riding mowers because of the benefits of a lower center of gravity. It is essential for you to know more about the handling characteristics of the mower so that you can enjoy more efficient mowing techniques and for increasing your safety.
The Wright mower handles differently at different angles of attack on a slope. It is important to understand the following differences so that you can use or avoid using the mower at different angles for the best advantage. Be aware that if the following orientations to a slope and must handle the mower accordingly. As you use the mower you will gain the technique to mow more lawn than ever before.
When pointing up a slope, the mower has the most weight on the drive wheels and therefore the most traction at the tires. However, this is the angle that it has the most tendency to tip back (“pop-a-wheelie.”) This is the preferred angle for mowing small areas of steeper slopes.
Recommendations for this angle:
Do not accelerate quickly to avoid “popping-a­wheelie.”
If backing down the hill, do not stop suddenly but slow down gradually and maintain an upward force on the handles to keep the front of the mower on the ground.
When pointing down a slope, the mower has the least weight on the drive wheels and therefore the least traction at the tires. This is the angle that the mower has the most tendency to slide. However, this is the angle that it has the least tendency to tip back. Avoid this angle, as it has the least advantage for the mower.
Recommendations for this angle:
Do not change speed suddenly to minimize the tendency of going into a slide.
Accelerate and slow down gently. If you ever go into an uncontrolled slide while pointing down a slope, the recommended procedure is to let go of the handles and move up-hill from the mower. Otherwise, control the mower gently and stay off slopes that tend to make the wheels slide at this orientation.
When crossing a slope sideways, the mower has the average amount of weight on the drive wheels versus the front wheels, similar to level ground. However, this angle leaves the least weight on the higher side drive wheel, tending to make it slip. This is the preferred angle for mowing large areas of gentle slopes.
Recommendations for this angle:
Do not accelerate quickly to minimize the tendency of “popping-a- wheelie”. Accelerate gently.
Note: Excessively worn tire tread is dangerous. Replace tire(s) with less than 3/32” of any tread groove left. Use tires with the tread pattern recommended by Wright Mfg., Inc. only. Keep the tire pressure in the drive tires at the recommended level. Higher pressures will cause the tires to have less traction, which will force you to go slower and with less safety.
WARNING

Operation in Reverse

Use extreme caution when operating in reverse. DO NOT operate this mower in reverse while standing on the Velke or other sulky. Always keep a firm grip on the mower handles with both hands. Operate the mower very slowly, inching it backward until you become familiar with how the mower operates. Always operate slowly if in an awkward location or position. While backing up never place your foot or feet on the ground near the back edge of the mower to prevent serious personal injury if mower were to run over you. Look behind you before backing to prevent injuring yourself or anyone behind you. Operate at slow speeds in forward and reverse if not completely familiar with mower operation. See the “How to change the Speed Adjustment” section of this manual.
6
Page 11
WARNING

Operation In Forward Direction

Always keep a firm grip on the mower handles with both hands. Operate the mower slowly until you become familiar with how the mower operates. Do not operate the mower faster than conditions allow. For example, hills, wet or bumpy ground, dim light or high grass would all be conditions where you should work slower than normal. Never operate the mower at the highest speed unless you are on level, wide, open areas of clearly visible ground or transporting on paved areas. Speeding with any mower is dangerous, and so is traveling faster than conditions should permit on this mower. Sudden stops from excessive speed or becoming detached from the mower may cause serious injury or death. See the “How to change the Speed Adjustment” section of this manual.
WARNING

Fuel Safety

Handle gasoline with care – it is HIGHLY FLAMMABLE. Do not smoke while handling gasoline. Use an approved gasoline container. Never remove the fuel cap or add gasoline to a running or hot engine or an engine that has not been allowed to cool for several minutes after running. Never fill the tank indoors and always clean up spilled gas. NEVER store the equipment with gasoline in the tank inside a
We want you to be as safe as possible. Please read the above again and again until you fully
understand the methods to promote the safest operation possible.
REMEMBER – YOUR MOWER CAN BE ONLY AS SAFE AS THE OPERATOR.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW SAFE OPERATING PRACTICES MAY RESULT IN
SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure. The quality of fuel will diminish over time and can create problems throughout the fuel delivery system. Always use fresh and clean fuel.
WARNING

Hydraulic Safety

Keep body and hands away from pin-holes or fittings that eject hydraulic fluid under high pressure. Use paper or cardboard and not hands to search for leaks. Hydraulic fluid escaping under high pressure may have sufficient force to penetrate skin and cause serious injury. If foreign fluid is injected into the skin, it must be surgically removed within a few hours by a doctor familiar with this form of injury or gangrene may result. Seek medical attention immediately. Make sure all hydraulic fluid connections are tight and all hydraulic hoses and lines are in good condition before starting the Wright mower. Hydraulic fluid is under high pressure. If you need service on your hydraulic system, please see your authorized Wright dealer.
Replacement Parts
Use of parts other than specified parts supplied by Wright Manufacturing, Inc. may compromise the safe use of the mower and are not recommended. Please check with your Dealer or our website for the latest Owner’s Manuals and Parts Manuals.
7
Page 12

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

If you are not completely familiar with the Safety Instruction Manual, read it now before proceeding with the operation of
WARNING
Inspect Mower Before Each Use
Do not use the mower if any parts are not maintained in good operating condition. Examine all moving parts prior to each use. Look for excessive wear, bald drive tires or worn out front tires (normally smooth), cracks in parts, loose or missing bolts, cotter, linchpin or “hair” pins and replace before operating the mower. Make sure all safety equipment provided with the mower is in good operating order, including all warning decals and the operator-presence device, which stops the engine and blades when the hand-operated Operator Presence Control (OPC) switch is released. To test the OPC, follow the instructions further down in this manual. Ensure that all parts of the hand-operated transmission control system are tight and secure. This is to reduce the possibility that the mower could have a loss of control or safety.

Basic Operation

The following procedures are to guide you through the basic operation of the mower. You should be a qualified mower operator according to the safety section of this manual. If this is your first time, operation should only be done with the assistance of your dealer on a level area. You should go through each step, in the order indicated, every time you start the mower.
Unusual Noises or Irregular Operation
As you drive the mower listen for any unusual noises and test for irregular operation and adjust or service as necessary. It is normal for the clutch to make noises and squealing sounds when engaged and possibly when disengaged.

Mower Operation

Read and understand the safety instructions before attempting to operate your machine.
Use caution when operating this piece of equipment. Practice operating the mower at low speeds and without the blades engaged until familiar with the operation of the controls.
the mower. REMEMBER THERE ARE CERTAIN PRECAUTIONS LISTED IN THIS MANUAL THAT YOU MUST
NOW TAKE BEFORE STARTING THE MOWER.
Before starting the engine:
Check the oil level in the engine and the hydraulic reservoir
Fill the fuel tank with clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline (use gasoline with an octane of 87 or greater)
Ensure the fuel valve is in the full open position.
The blade clutch (PTO) switch must be in the OFF position
Position the speed adjustment lever to NEUTRAL
Position the neutral latches in the neutral lock position
Engage the parking brake
Ensure the hydraulic pump bypass valves
are fully closed (turn clockwise until snug)
Start the engine – choke as needed Engage the blades (parking brake must be off) by
first engaging the operator presence device and then pulling up on the blade clutch (PTO) switch. Push the switch down to disengage the cutting blades. ** For best equipment life, engage the blades between ¾ and full engine throttle.
Release the parking brake and move the speed adjustment lever to the desired ground speed setting.
While squeezing the steering brake levers with both hands, release both neutral latches (one on each handle). Slowly release the levers to travel forward. To make a right turn, squeeze the right hand lever. To make a left turn, squeeze the left hand lever. To travel in reverse, squeeze the levers up beyond the neutral point.
To STOP the mower, squeeze both levers up to the neutral point, engage the neutral latches and move the speed adjustment lever to the neutral position.
8
Page 13

How to Stop and Park the Mower

Come to a complete stop. Make sure the steering brake levers are in the neutral position with the neutral latches engaged with the levers. If the blades are on, turn them off using the switch on the instrument panel. Place the speed control lever in the neutral position, set the parking brake, reduce the engine speed to idle, shut off the ignition switch to stop the engine and then remove the key from the ignition switch. The mower is now parked. Do not leave unit parked unattended without engaging the parking brake and do not leave the unit parked unattended on a sloped surface.

How to Drive the Mower Over a Curb

To climb a curb, first see the Safety Instructions section of this manual, especially the parts on:
Initial Operating Safety Guidelines
Operation In Reverse
Operation In Forward Direction To drive up and over a curb turn the blades OFF and then proceed forward to the curb, lift the front wheels off the ground by pushing down on the handlebar and move slowly forward allowing the front wheels to rest on the ground beyond the curb. Then proceed slowly while driving the rear wheels over the curb. To drive over and down a curb proceed slowly forward to the curb and allow the front wheels to slowly roll off of the curb and down to the ground below the curb. Then move slowly forward until the rear wheels roll over the curb and down to the ground below. NEVER stand on the Velke (sulky) while driving over a curb.

Mowing on Varying Terrain

See the Safety Instructions section of this manual, especially the parts on:
Initial Operating Safety Guidelines
Operation On Slopes
Operation In Reverse
Operation In Forward Direction
Operation During Zero-Radius Turns

How to adjust the Speed

Set the desired travel speed by moving the control lever forward or backwards.
How to Perform the Neutral and
Tracking Adjustment
Find a secure location away from bystanders to perform the drive adjustments (preferably face the mower towards a wall).
Raise the drive wheels off the ground and stabilize the mower.
Start the engine as described in the “Mower Operation” section and let it warm up for a few minutes.
Have a helper hold the OPC down so that both your hands are free to make the adjustments.
Release the parking brake and set the speed control lever to a forward speed greater than 2. This ensures that the pump control bearing is not contacting the speed adjustment cam.
The control levers should remain locked in the neutral position via the thumb locks.
Observe the drive wheels. If either wheel rotates, loosen the upper and lower
steering control rod jam nuts for that side and adjust the rod longer or shorter until the wheel stops. Find the midpoint adjustment in the range that the wheel remains stopped. Retighten the rod jam nuts.
Now set the speed control lever to neutral (first pulled back position).
Release the control levers via the thumb locks. If the right wheel rotates, loosen the upper and
lower speed control rod jam nuts and adjust the rod in or out until the right wheel stops. Find the midpoint of the range that the speed control rod can be adjusted as the right wheel remains stopped. Tighten the jam nuts.
Now if the left wheel rotates, adjust the tracking control knob in or out until the left wheel stops. The tracking control knob is located on the left pump control plate.
The wheels should now go to a neutral position if the steering control levers are locked using the thumb locks and/or the speed control lever is in neutral.
9
Page 14

Straight Line Tracking Adjustments

Verify that both rear tires are inflated to the proper PSI.
Find a wide open flat area away from bystanders and objects.
Drive the mower with the speed control set to the most used position.
If the mower pulls to one side, return the speed control lever to neutral and shut off the engine.
If the mower pulled to the left, turn the tracking adjustment knob counterclockwise (left) ½ turn.
Repeat driving the mower and making incremental adjustments after shutting the engine off until the mower tracks straight.
Conversely, if the mower pulls right, turn the tracking adjustment knob clockwise (right).
How to Test/Use the Blade
Clutch/Brake Switch
Before testing the blade clutch/brake operation, make sure the area is clear and there is nothing vulnerable to thrown objects from under the mower. No one should be near the mower deck or in its line of discharge. The discharge chute deflector should be in the down position. Move the engine throttle to ¾ speed setting. (When mowing, the engine speed should always be at its highest setting. The engine governor will regulate the engine according to the different mowing conditions at that setting.) Engage the OPC switch and turn on the blade clutch switch. Run blades for a minute or so. Try engaging and disengaging the blades a few times about 10 seconds apart. If the blades do not start and stop in a few seconds each time, service the blade brake system or contact your local Wright dealer. Under mowing load, the clutch’s longevity will be the greatest at the highest RPM setting.
How to Test the Operator Presence
Control (OPC) Switch
Before beginning this test, secure a large open area that is free of obstacles or hazards. To test the OPC switch start the engine using the normal starting procedures, release the parking brake and place the speed control in the slowest
speed setting. While engaging the OPC lever(s) engage the blades by pulling up on the PTO blade clutch switch. Allow the mower to start moving forward and then release the mower handles. If the engine doesn’t stop, then service the OPC system.
WARNING

Service and Adjustments

Tire Maintenance and Pressure

Excessively worn tire tread is dangerous on all hills. Replace drive tires with less than 3/32” of any tread groove left. Use tires with the tread pattern recommended by Wright Mfg., Inc. only. Keep the tire pressure at the proper level. Higher pressures will cause the tires to have less traction which will force you to go slower, with less safety and give you a harder ride. Higher pressures will help keep the front caster tires on their rims when impacted from the side but give a harder ride. They do not have any tread but should be replaced when excessively worn.

Hydraulic Motor Support Adjustment

The various holes in the mower frame and the hydraulic motor supports may be used to make a fine forward/rearward adjustment to the balance of the all Velke Mowers except the 32” (the 32” only moved up and down). This adjustment should always be made in combination with the coarse height-of-cut adjustment and anti-tip roller adjustment as described below. When the motor supports are set in the forward position, the Velke Mower will be balanced lighter in the front than when set in the rearward position, giving more traction to the drive tires. Heavy operators (over 250 pounds) may find that the rearward position (not available on the 32”) helps keep the front of the mower down.

Blade Adjustments and Height-of-Cut

Before Adjusting the Height-of-Cut be sure of proper air pressure in all four tires and check for even tire wear. The height-of-cut can be adjusted the following ways:
Coarse Adjustment the rear wheels, the front casters should be adjusted at the same time. Adjust the rear wheel motor supports equally in one of the
: For the coarse adjustment
10
Page 15
three settings up or down 0.75” each in a 1.5” total range.
a. Use the highest holes in tractor frame
for cutting heights of 1.75”-3.0”.
b. Use the middle holes in tractor frame
for cutting heights of 2.5”-3.75”, factory setting.
c. Use the lowest holes in tractor frame
for cutting heights of 3.25”-4.5”.
Adjust the front caster arms at their respective
support brackets equally in one of the seven settings up or down 0.25” each through a 1.5” total range. a. This should be done with two shims (or
spacers) on the bottom and one shim on the top of the caster support arm.
b. The front-to-rear leveling of the blades
should be between level (preferred) to .25” lower at the front of the blades but never higher at the front.
c. Use the lowest holes in tractor frame
for heights of 3.25”-4.5”.
Temporary Height-of-Cut Adjustment: the caster shims (or spacers) you can adjust the blades downward temporarily .5” or 1” below the original coarse setting as described above. This assumes that the blades are level with two shims (or spacers) on the bottom and one shim on the top of the caster support arm. With the blades level at this assumed starting point, you should never move all of the shims to the bottom since that would make the blades higher at the front.
The angle of attack of the blades should
always be level or lower at the front. This makes the blade cut the grass only once and saves fuel and wear on the whole mower. It also allows more efficient mowing and grass catching or dispersal. If you mow in an area of the country where the lawn is very thick and spongy you may have to set these two adjustments as they would appear on the grass and not on a hard surface due to the tires “floating” up on or “sinking” down into the lawn.
Fine Adjustment: five settings up or down 0.25” each in a 1.25” total range. The shims on the blade bolts are moved from under the spindle to the top of the spindle. If possible, leave at least one shim at the top and the bottom of the spindle shaft. Using the maximums and minimums of these methods gives you a total range of 2.75” from
Adjust the blades equally in
Using
1.75” to 4.5” in eleven distinct settings. The factory setting is 3” when measured to a hard floor surface at the front of the deck.

Belt Tension Adjustment

The pump drive belt is self-adjusting, and normally requires no adjustment, just replacement. It is spring loaded to prevent strain on the pump bearings.

Moving the Mower with the Engine Off

Rotate both of the manual bypass valve levers on the top of each hydraulic pump about ½ turn counterclockwise. This will release the pressure in the pumps and allow the mower to more easily be pushed or moved. Release parking brake to move mower. Tighten the valves again before starting the mower again. (Do not over tighten)

Bleeding Air from the Hydraulic System

Check (and fill if necessary) hydraulic fluid level. The level should be about 1”-2” below the top of the oil reservoir. Use fully synthetic oil: Mobil-1 15W-50. Whenever servicing the hydraulic system, it is of the utmost importance to keep any dirt or debris from getting into the system. Clean off all parts before disassembly and assembly.
Due to the effects air has on efficiency in hydrostatic drive applications, it is critical that air is purged from the system.
These purge procedures should be implemented anytime a hydrostatic system has been opened to facilitate maintenance or any additional oil has been added to the system.
Air creates inefficiency because it has compression and expansion rates that are higher than that of oil.
Entrained air in the oil may cause the following symptoms:
Noisy operation
Lack of power or drive after short-term
operation
High operation temperature and excessive expansion of oil.
Before starting, make sure the reservoir is at the proper oil level. If it is not, fill to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.
11
Page 16
The following procedures should be performed with the vehicle properly secured and the drive wheels off the ground, then repeated under normal operating conditions.
1. With the manual bypass valve open and the engine running, slowly move the directional control in both forward and reverse directions (5 to 6 times), as air is purged from the unit, the oil level will drop.
2. With the manual bypass valve closed and the engine running, slowly move the directional control in both forward and reverse directions (5 to 6 times). Check the oil level, and add oil as required after stopping engine.
3. It may be necessary to repeat Steps 1 and 2 until all the air is completely purged from the system. When the mower moves forward and reverse at normal speed purging is complete.

Battery Service (if electric start version)

Remove battery (if electric start version) from machine and fully charge in an open, well­ventilated area according to the recommendations
of the battery charger manual. The battery is 12 volts. After fully charged, install on mower and attach battery cables, positive first (from starter motor) and negative last (from ground).

Cleaning the Mower

The underside of the mower deck should be checked and cleaned twice daily, and more often if the grass being mowed is lush or wet. The entire mower should be cleaned daily at the end of the work day.
Cleaning should be done with a leaf blower or low­pressure compressed air. Wash with water only when necessary and do not use a pressure washer or nozzle as the water can enter electrical connections causing an electrical short, rust and corrosion. When washing with water, do so when the unit has cooled down. Washing a hot machine can cause various unseen system damage. If water is used for cleaning, immediately dry it with a leaf blower or low-pressure compressed air. Once the wash is complete, always lubricate and grease all applicable areas.
MAINTENANCE SERVICE INTERVALS (see chart on following page)
It is very important to keep good maintenance records. Use the hour meter on the mower to record the hour reading of each maintenance service so you will not forget how long it has been since you last did certain maintenance. The more faithful and consistent you are, the longer the mower will last and hold its value.
NOTE: THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE REQUIRED TO AVOID INVALIDATING THE WARRANTY.
12
Page 17

Maintenance Interval Chart

NOTES
*Th
diti
*
MAINTENANCE ITEM
Inspect for cracks in frame, cutter deck or other steel parts Inspect all belts for wear, adjustment and alignment Check all bolts and nuts for tightness (tighten as necessary) Lubricate hand control lever pivot shafts with waterproof grease Check hydraulic oil reservoir level and fill as needed - Use SYNTHETIC oil - Mobil1 15W-50 Grease caster wheel bearings Check tire pressure; Rear tires 18-22 psi-Front tires 30-40 psi. Some Front Casters are equipped with non-pneumatic tires and do not require any air. Check and clean engine cooling fins Lubricate Operator Presence Control pivots and control rod with waterproof grease Replace fuel filter Lubricate choke control cable (if equipped) with W D-40 Check engine and add as needed Check for fuel or oil leakage - correct as needed Check and clean air intake screen Clean engine blower screen and fins with com pressed air Clean mower with compressed air-do NOT use a pressure washer Check for loose hardware (e-clips, snap rings, nuts, etc.) Check blades for wear and sharpness (sharpen and balance or replace as necessary) Check and adjust tire pressures to no more than maximum pressure listed on tire and m a intaining good traction and comfort Clean out debris under blade belt cover Scrape clean underside of cutter deck Check blade m ounting bolts for proper tightness Check blade spindle mounting bolts for proper tightness Cl ean air cleaner f oa m element Inspect tires, replace as needed Inspect and tighten all hydraulic hoses Adjust parking brake shoes to firmly stop wheels when engaged Cl ean air clea ner paper element Clean and re-gap spark plug (replace as necessary) Change engine oil Change engine oil filter Repla ce air cleaner pa per element Replace hydraulic oil filter with Original W right filter Completely inspect for excessive wear in all parts of mow er, including control system (replace worn parts) Inspect and replace (if necessary) worn main cutter deck idler pulleys or pulley bearings (if applicable) Replace (if necessary) excessively worn caster wheels and roller bearings Remove battery an d clean battery, battery box and ba ttery cable ends (if applicable) Clean combustion chamber Ch eck and ad ju st val ve cl earance Clean and lap valve seating surface
E
S
N
I
M
G
TE
I
EN
Engine *1
Engine *1
Engine *1 Engine *1 Engine *1 Engine *1
Engine *1
Engine *1 Engine *1 Engine *1 Engine *1 Engine *1
Engine *1 Engine *1 Engine *1
TE
O
N
E
B
SE
*3
*2
W
8
O
L
E
S
R
LY
U
ST
R
I
F
XX XX X XX X XX
XX X XX X XX X XX X
XX X XX XX
XX
I
O
A
H
D
XX XX XX XX XX XX
XX
XX XX
XX XX XX XX
XX
5
2
Y
U
R
E
O
V
H
E
XX XX XX
00
1
S
R
Y
U
R
O
E
H
EV
XX
00
S
2
R
Y
U
R
O
E
H
EV
XX XX
XX
XX XX
XX
00
S
3
R
Y
R
E
H
V
E
X X X
LY
S
L
R
A
U
U
O
N
N
A
X
X
X
:
- Refer to Engine Manufacturers Owners Manual
*1
- Hydraulic fluid level should be 1"-2" below the top of the oil fill
*2
- Contact an authorized Dealer immediately if any cracks are found
*3
e service intervals indicated are to be used as a guide. Service should be performed more frequently as necessary by operating con
ons
13
Page 18

Maintenance Record

Date Maintenance/Service Performed
Unit
Hours
Shop/Technician
14
Page 19
WRIGHT MANUFACTURING, INC. POWER EQUIPMENT LIMITED WARRANTY
THIS WARRANTY SUPERSEDES ALL PREVIOUS ON UNITS WITH A RETAIL SALES DATE ON OR AFTER 04/01/05
Wright Manufacturing, Inc. (hereinafter: WM I) warrants to the original owner that the new WMI mower accompanying this document will be free from manufacturing defects in materials or work manship subject to the following limitations and exclusions. Any part of the WMI commercial mower manufactured by WMI and found, in the reas onable judgment of WMI, to be defective in materials or workmanship, will be repaired or replaced by an Authorized WMI Service Dealer without charge for parts and (except as excluded below) labor. This Warranty is limited to the original Owner and the mower this document was provided with and is not transferable. Deal er dem o units with less than fifty hours when first retailed shall als o be covered by this limited warranty. Proofs of Purchase, Authorized Dealer performed Pre­Deliver Service and the First Eight Hour Service will be required by the Authorized WMI Service Dealer to substantiate any warranty claims. All WMI warranty work must be performed by an Authorize d WMI Service Dealer and item must be delivered to the dealer prior to the expiration of the warranty period. This Warranty is limited to the following sp ecified periods from the date of the original retail purchase for defec ts in materials or workmanship and will commence upon the date of original retail pur chase. This warranty shall apply only if the warranty registration form has been completed and returned to Wright Manufacturing, Inc. within 30 days from the date of ori ginal retail purchase. This warranty includes only the cost of parts an d labor (when applicable).
All parts and components (except as noted below) – 2 years
Belts – 90 days
Battery – 90 days
Engine – warranty covered by engine manufacturer and handled
through the respective Authorized engine Dealers
Exclusions:
Any damage or deterioration due to normal use, wear and tear or exposure All filters, engine oil, hydraulic oil, tires and tubes Bent, fractured or broken parts occurring through impact or hard use Clutch: linings, anti-rotation failure or other failure due to improper replacement installation Cost of regular maintenance service, parts or adjustments Worn bearings (other than spindle bearings; see above) Worn bushings, cotters, clips, pins and retainers Grease fittings/zerks Paint, paint fading, cosmetic imperfections and steel surface imperfections Fabric, cushion and rubber grip wear or damage Cutting blades, light bulbs, fuses Damage due to loose pulleys on shafts Damage due to loose wheel hubs on tapered hydraulic motor shafts Fire Damage Abrasion or corrosion wear or damage

Repair Parts Replaced During Original Warranty

All repair parts (excluding wear or otherwise excluded items) installed during the warranty period are warranted until the end of the respective original period according to the categories above except in the case that the respective original warranty period expires in less than ninety (90) days after the installation of the part(s). If this happens then the parts are warranted for a total of ninety (90) days from the time of their installation.

Rental Use

The above warranty periods are limited to maximum of ninety (90) day for mowers that are used for rental purposes.
This WMI mower, including any defective part, must be returned to an Authorized WMI Service Dealer within the warranty p eriod. The expense of lost production time and delivering the mower to t he Authorized WMI Servic e Dealer for warranty work and the expense of returning it to the Owner a fter repair will be paid for by the Owner. WMI’s responsibility is limited to mak ing the required repairs and no claim of breach of warranty shall be cause for cancellation or rescission of the contract of sale of any WMI mower. This Warranty does not apply to any mower that was del ivered to an Owner prior to the Pre-Delivery Service as specified in the Owner’s Manual. This Warranty does not apply to any mower that was shipped in a crate to the Owner or delivered to the Owner by non-employees of an Authorized D ealer. For the Owner’s protection and a valid Warranty , please note: WMI does not permit Authorized Dealers to make non-face-to-face deliveries of the mower and any who are found doing so are subject to immediat e cancellation as Authorized Dealers. This Warranty does not cover an y mower that has bee n subject to misuse, neglect, negligence, burning in any fire, an accident, or that has been operated or maintained in a ny way contrary to the operating and maintenance instructions as specified in the Owner’s Manual. The Warranty does not apply to any damage to the mower t hat is the result of improper maintenance, or to any mower or parts that have not been assembled or installed as specified in the Owner’s Manual. The W arranty does not cover any mower that has been altered or modified changing performance or durability. In addition, the Warranty does not extend to repairs made necessary by normal wear, or by the use of parts or a ccessories which, in th e reasonable judgment of WMI, are either inc ompatible with the W MI mower or adversely affect its operation, performance or durabili ty. WMI reserves the right to change or improve the design of any mower witho ut assuming any obligation to modify any mower previously manufactured.
All other implied warranties are limited in duration to the two (2) year warranty period or ninety (90) days for mowers used for rental purposes. Accordingly, any such implied warranties including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or otherwise, are disclaimed in th eir entirety after the expiration for the appropriate two (2) year or ninety (90) day warranty period. WMI’s obligation under this Warranty is s trictly limited to the repair or replacement of defective parts and WMI does not assume, or authorize anyone to assume for them, any other obligation. So me states do not allow limitations on how long an impl ied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply.
WMI assumes no responsibility for incidental, consequential or other damages including, but not limited to, expense for gasoline, expense of delivering the mower to an Authorized W MI Service Dealer and expe nse of returning it to the Owner, damage by fire, mechanic’s travel time, telephone charges, rental of a like product during the t ime warranty repairs are being performed, travel, loss or damage to pers onal property, loss of revenue, loss of use of the power equipment, loss of time or inconv enience. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply.
This warranty gives you specific legal r ights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
This Warranty applies to all WMI mowers sold in the United States of America and Canada.
For the location of the Authorized WMI Service Dealer nearest you or other information, such as, Parts Lists and Owners Manuals visit our website at:
www.wrightmfg.com
Wright Manufacturing, Inc. 4600-X Wedgewood Blvd. Frederick, MD 21703
15
Page 20
4600X Wedgewood Blvd
Frederick, MD 21703
www.wrightmfg.com
Loading...