MTD 500 Series Operator's Manual page 10

Rotate the axle shaft until first tab on the right side
of the axle shaft clears the hole in the tight pivot
bar. Rotate further until second tab on the right side
of the axle shaft locks into the hole in the same
pivot bar. The tab on the left side of the axle shaft
should hit on the sudace of the left pivot bar.
Place one spacer on the rear axle, then one wave
washer.
• Piece wheel assembly on end of axle. Secu re with
one flat washer and one hex jam nuL Tighten
securely.
Repeat above steps to assemble the other wheel
and then place all four height adjusters in the same
relative position.
AttachingStruts(If Equipped)
Bolt
_" Saddle
Lock Washer
Strut
Nut
Bell
Hex Screw_
Figure 10
Once the upper handle is secured, removed the
wing nut from one side of the of the handle and
discard. See Figure 10.
• Holding the carriage bolt that is already placed on
the handle, place saddle washer, and then strut
over the carriage bolt.
Place the lock washer and the hex nut over the bolt
threading only a few turns, just enough to hold the
handle.
• Repeat on other side.
Attach the other end of struts as follows:
Attach End of
Figure 11
Place one flat washer over carriage bolt.
• Insert carriage bolt up through hole in deck beside
the engine and through the strut. Secure with lock
washer and hex nut from the hardware pack.
Repeat step on the other side. See Figure 11.
Tighten all nuts and bolts on both ends of the strut
securely.
Removing ChuteRetainer
The chute deflector on your mower is held in an upright
position by a retainer for shipping purposes only.
Remove the retainer, following steps below, before
running the mower for the first time.
• Push the chute deflector up and towards the
engine. Holding the deflector in this position,
remove the retainer. See Figure !2.
Lower the chute deflector carefurly to itsoperating
position keeping your fingers out of the way.
Deflector
Retainer
&
Figure 12
WARNING: The chute retainer must be
removed and discarded before operating
the mower,
Installing Mulching Baffle
If your mower is equipped with the optional mulching
baffle, install it following instructions below.
• Insert the mulching baffle so that the notches at the
bottom of the baffle sit firmly on the lip of the deck
opening. See Figure 13.
• Slide the hooks of the baffle over the hinge pin on
the discharge chute. Make sure that the hooks
snaps into place, locking the mulching baffle firmly
on to the mower.
Release the chute deflector.
Mulching
Baffle
Baffle
Hook Hinge
on Top of Lip Pin
Figure 13
10