To Set Up Your Mower For Mulching; To Install Mulcher Plate; To Convert To Bagging Or Discharging; Install Mower And Drive Belt - Craftsman EZ3 917.272201 Owner's Manual

IMPORTANT; For shipping purposes, the
mulcher plate was preattached to your
mower. The mutcher plate must only be
used with the mulching blades that came
packed separately In the carton.
Your mower came factory equipped wfth
high performance blades, which are the
best blades tot bagging and discharging°
"l'b use your mower with the high perfor-
mance blades the mulcher plate must be
removed from the mower.
TO SET UP YOUR MOWER FOR MULCH-
ING
• Turn the mower over to allow access to
bladeso
, Remove hex bolt, lock washer and flat
washer and remove high performance
blades. Store in safe p_ace.
• Install mulcher blades with trailing
edge up towards deck as shown.
IMPORTANT; To ensure proper assembly,
center hole In blade must align with star
on mandrel assembty.
o Reassemble hex bolt, lock washer and
flat washer in exact order as shown.
° Tighten bolt securely (27-35 Ft. Lbs.
torque).
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8
HEAT TREATED.
, Install mulcher plate if previously re,.
moved, Mandrel
Asse nbly
Trailing Edge Up Center
Blade Hole
F1
Washer',
Hex Bolt
(Gra_ Star
Lock
Washer
°A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE
IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT
HEAD.
TO INSTALL MULCHER PLATE
NOTE: If you installed the muiching
blades you will need to install the
mulcher plate,
. Raise and hold deflector shield in up-
right position.
• Place front of mulcher plate over front
of mower deck opening and slide into
place, as shown°
• Hook front latch into hole on front of
mower deck,
o Hook rear latch into hole on back of
mower deck,
& CAUTION: Do not remove discharge
guard from mower, Raise and hold guard
when attaching mulcher plate and allow
it to rest on plate while in operation,
Deflector ..,_/_
Shteld _ Mulcher
Plate
/ Hooks
TO CONVERT TO BAGGING OR
DISCHARGING
NOTE: The mulcher blades will discharge
and bag grass, but for best bagging and
discharging install the high performance
blades.
° Remove mulcher plate and mulcher
blades and install high performance
blades, (see BLADE REMOVAL in the
MAINTENANCE section of this manual).
• Store mulcher blades and mutcher plate
in a safe place. "(our mower is now ready
for discharging or installation of optional
grass catcher accessory.
INSTALL MOWER AND DRIVE
BELT
Be sure tractor is on level surface and
mower suspension arms are raised with
attachment lift control. Engage parking
brake.
° Cut and remove ties securing anti-
sway bar and belts. Swing anti-sway
bar to left side of mower deck.
° Slide mower under tractor with dis-
charge guard to right side of tractor.
IMPORTANT: Check belt for proper rout,-
ing in all mower pulley grooves. Install
belt into electric clutch pulley groove.