Craftsman 486.25012 Operator's Manual page 16

BEFORE PROCEEDING, look in the fold-out sheets included with this manual
STOP to find templates for Sears mower decks. If written instructions are printed on
the template, follow those instructions instead of the instructions in this manual.
ASSEMBLING THE #62468 DECK ADAPTER
TO THE MOWER DECK
NOTE: Not all of the parts in the deck adapter hardware
package will be needed for your particular fit up.
• Remove the mower discharge deflector from your
mower deck. Save the deflector and hardware for
remounting deflector.
CAUTION: Mower deflector must be
replaced when Vac System deck adapter
is removed. Do Not operate mower
unless adapter or deflector is in place and
properly mounted.
•
Identify and cut out the template for your brand and
size mower deck. If there is no template included for
your deck size, you can make your own template by
marking around a piece of cardboard held against the
edge of the deck's discharge opening.
•
Tape the template to the face of the adapter, about
1/2" from front and 1/4" down from top for deeper
decks. For shallow decks, position template low
enough that adapter will not extend below bottom
of deck. Mark outline of template on face of adapter
using white crayon, nail or scriber. Drill a starting
hole inside the outline, then use a saber saw or key
hole saw to cut out the opening. See figure 26.
1/4" DOWN
IMPORTANT:
1/2" FROM FRONT
FIGURE 26
Keep cut-off as close to
the top edge as possible.
•
Position the adapter over the deck opening, and check
for fit of cutout as shown in figure 27. Trim cutout, if
necessary, to allow tilting of adapter, keeping the fit as
close as possible for best vacuum suction.
NOTE: Make sure adapter clears gauge
wheels on mower deck
Curl on deck may be located outside of adapter
or inside depending on deck opening design
FIGURE 27
•
Holding the adapter bracket and the deck adapter
together, position the deck adapter on the mower deck.
Keeping the edge of deck adapter as close as possible
to the offset in the adapter bracket, see if the slot in
the adapter bracket can be aligned with one or two of
the deflector holes in your mower deck's discharge
opening. If the bracket can not be located correctly
using existing holes, it will be necessary to drill one or
two 5/16" diameter holes in the deck. See figure 28.
ADAPTER BRACKET
DECK ADAPTER
Keep edge of adapter as close
as possible to offset in bracket
FIGURE 28
16
Use existing holes or drill 5/16"
diameter hole or holes.
MOWER DECK