Bolens 18423 User manual

FORM NO. 552579-2
SUPERSEDES 552579-1
www.sonnysbolens.com
Sonny'a Farm& Home Supply M0 DEL 18423
17lJ North 200 West .
Portland, Indiana 473 71
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E··mail:
[email protected] ~
YOCK #I Sout'ce for All YOCK BoJens £qujpment Needs! BOLENS
MOWER ATTACHMENT
42 INCH
OWNER MANUAL
9!74

TO THE OWNER
This is an operational and general
maintenance manual only and
does not cover major repair. All
major repair work must be per-
formed by an authorized BOLENS
DEALER, or the factory guaranty
is void. Bolens equipment is care-
fully engineered to give good per-
formance if properly operated and
maintained. Keep your equipment
clean and lubricate
it as pre-
scribed in this manual. Periodically
inspect your unit and perform any
upkeep maintenance necessary.
Your dealer is
obligated by the
factory to completely assemble
and service new equipment
prior
to first delivery, and thoroughly
explain and demonstrate its oper-
ation. He will repair or replace
any parts
which fail due to de-
fective material and/or workman-
ship during the guaranty period.
IN THE EVENT OF ANY PROB-
LEM OR PARTS REQUIRED
ALWAYS CONTACT YOUR
DEALER. DO NOT RETURN
PARTS TO THE FACTORY. WE
REQUIRE PRIOR FACTORY AP-
PROVAL
ON RETURNS, AND
APPROVALS ARE ISSUED ONLY
TO BOLENS DEALERS OR .DIS-
TRIBUTORS.
GENERAL SAFETY PRE-
CAUTIONS
A PREVENTING ACCI-
DENTS IS THE RE-
CAUTION SPONSIBILITY OF
EVERY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR.
THE FOLLOWING GENERAL
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS MUST
BE FULLY UNDERSTOOD AND
FOLLOWED BY EVERY OPER-
ATOR OF THIS EQUIPMENT.
REVIEW THEM FREQUENTLY
AND NEVER TAKE CHANCES.
BE CAREFI:JL BEFORE, DURING
AND RIGHT AFTER USE OF ANY
POWERED EQUIPMENT. ACCI-
DENTS CAN BE PREVENTED.
1. Know the controls and how to
stop quickly. READ THE OWNER'S
MANUAL.
2. Do not allow children to
operate the vehicle. Do not allow
adults to operate it without proper
instruction.
3. Do not carry passengers. Keep
children and pets a safe distance
away.
4. Clear the work area of objects
which might be picked up and
thrown.
5. Disengage all attachment
clutches and shift into neutral
before attempting
to start the
engine (motor).
6. Disengage power to attach-
ment(s) and stop the engine
(motor) before leaving the
operator's position.
7. Disengage power to attach-
ment(s) and stop the engine
(motor) before making any repairs
or adjustments.
8. Disengage power to attach-
ment(s) when transporting or not
in use.
9. Take all possible precautions
when leaving the vehicle un-
attended, such as disengaging
the power-take-off, lowering the
attachment(s), shifting into
neutral, setting the parking
brake, stopping the engine, and
removing the key.
10. Do
not stop or start suddenly
when going uphill or downhill.
Mow up and down the face of
steep slopes, never across the
face.
11. Reduce speed on slopes and
·in sharp turns to prevent tipping
or loss of control. Exercise
extreme caution when changing
direction on slopes.
12. Stay alert for holes in the
terrain and other hidden hazards.
13. Use care when pulling loads
or using heavy equipment.
a. Use only approved drawbar
hitch points. ·
b. Limit loads to those you can
safely control.
c. Do not turn sharply. Use care
when backing.
d. Use counterweight(s)
or wheel
weights when suggested in the
owner's manual.
14. Watch out for
traffic when
crossing
or near roadways.
15. When using any attachments,
never
direct discharge of
material toward bystanders nor
allow anyone near the vehicle
while in operation.
16. Handle gasoline with care -
it
is highly flammable.
a. Use approved gasoline
container.
b. Never remove the cap of the
fuel tank
or add gasoline to a
running
or hot engine, or fill
the fuel tank indoors. Wipe up
spilled gasoline.
c. Open doors
if the engine is run
in the garage -exhaust fumes
are dangerous. Do not run the
engine (motor) indoors.
17. Keep vehicle and attachments
in good operating condition,
and keep safety devices in place.
18. Keep all nuts, bolts and screws
tight to be sure the equipment is
in safe
working condition.
19. Never store the equipment
with gasoline in the tank inside
a
building where fumes may
reach an open flame and spark.
Allow the engine to cool before
storing in any enclosure.
20. To reduce fire hazard, keep
the engine free
of grass, leaves,
or excessive grease.
21. The vehicle and attachments
should be stopped and inspected
for damage after striking a
foreign object, and the damage
should be repaired before re-
strarting and operating the
equipment.
22. Do not change the engine
governor settings or overspeed
the engine.
23. When using the vehicle with
mower, proceed as follows:
(1) Mow only in daylight or in
good artificial liQht.

(2) Ne~er make a cutting height
adjustment while the engine
(motor) is running if the oper-
ator must dismount to do so.
(3) Shut the engine (motor) off
when removing the grass
catcher or unclogging chute.
(4) Check the blade mounting
bolts for proper tightness at
frequent intervals.
24. Regard
your mower as a piece
of power equipment. Teach this
to all who operate the equip-
ment. Power equipment not
properly operated can be very
dangerous.
25.When you mow on rough
terrain, in
high grass, the
mower should be set at the
highest cutting level to mini-
mize possible ejection of
debris.
26. Be
alert at all times. Give
complete and undivided attention
to the job you are doing. This
should
minimize the possibility
of getting into dangerous
situations.
27. Use special care when
mowing
near objects to prevent
the blades from
striking them,
as severe
damage could result.
28. Stop the tractor and dis-
engage the mower when any other
person appraches. Do not pass
or stand on the grass discharge
side of the mower or allow
anyone else to do so with the
engine running. Objects such as
wire, sticks, stones, small toys,
and
~tc. can be ejected at high
velocity out of the discharge
chute.
29. Never wear loose clothing
when operating unit. It could
become entangled in moving
parts, causing injury to the
wearer.
30. Wear substantial footwear
at all times to ensure as much
protection as possible.
31. Always
make certain no one
is in the way before usino re-
verse. This will prevent the
possibility of backing over
objects at the rear of the unit.
Figure 1
32. Always follow manu-
facturer's operational suggestions
for most efficient and safest
operation of unit.
33. Study your manual. Know
your equipment before operating
it. Take time to operate the
unit in the safest n1anner.
MODEL NUMBER
To ensure prompt service when
repairs
or adjustments are
required, your
Bolens Dealer
must have the following
information:
For your personal reference fill
in the spaces provided belo:.V.
Model Number of Unit----
Serial Number of Unit ----
Your Bot&ns Deater has
av~ilable a Parts List for your
Umt. He can identify any parts
you may require and furnish
genuine factory replacements.
A WE URGE USING
ONLY GENUINE FMC
CAUTION BOLENS FACTORY
REPLACEMENT PARTS, WHICH
MEET ALL OF THE LATEST
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. RE-
PLACEMENT PARTS MANUFAC-
TURED BY OTHERS COULD
PRESENT SAFETY HAZARDS
EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY
FIT ON BOLENS
PRODUCTS, ESPECIALLY ITEMS
SUCH AS MOWER BLADES
TILLER TINES AND MULCH,ER
BAGGER BLADES.
ASSEMBLY
1. Count the loose parts and check
against (Fig. 2).
2. Remove plastic cap from
breather on mower gear case.
3. Apply small amount
of grease
to mower drive shaft. Slide
universal joint on to mower
drive shaft.

MOUNTING
NOTE: PLACING FRONT WHEELS
OF TRACTOR UP ON A TWO
INCH RISER WILL MAKE
IT
MUCH EASIER TO SLIDE
MOWER UNDER TRACTOR. BE
SURE TO REMOVE RISER
AFTER MOWER IS UNDER
TRACTOR IF THIS METHOD IS
USED.
1. Check tractor tire pressures.
Adust
to 12 pound front and a
pounds rear. Be sure tractor is
on a level surface and in park
position.
NOTE: ON TRACTORS WITH
HITCH PINS INSTALLED,
OMIT PARAGRAPH
(2) AND
PROCEED WITH PARAGRAPH (3).
2. On mower shipped without the
tractor, proceed
as follows:
Install front mower
hitch pins
("B") figures 3 and 6. On the
gear
shift tractors remove
the lower capscrew securil)g the
bearing support and install the
front hitch pin in its place.
On the hydrostatic tractors in-
stall the
hitch pin into the
lower front hole in the mounting
plate anc;t secure with a hex nut
5/16-18 .and lockwasher. Install
rear mower hitch pins ("C")
figures 3 and 6 and secure with
hex
nut 3/18-16 and lockwasher.
Figure 3
LIFT LINK
LINK ASSEMBLY
FOR HYDROSTATIC
DRIVE TRACTORS
LIFT LINK ASSEMBLY
Jl., "'
... r ,,
FRONT PIN
~t t
REAR PIN
99
KLIK PIN
PPR n n
rf fJ COTTER PIN COTTER PIN
GAUGE WHEEL
SPRING COTTER
r,)l;)
HEX NUT 5/16-18
©©I 0
•• .!._;_.~
·~·---·~
GAUGE WHEEL AXLE
HEX NUT 3/8-16 LOCKWASHER
3/8
FLAT WASHER 1/2
Figure 2
3. Remove cotter pin from
Right Hand end of mower lift
shaft "H" figure 8. Remove
lift arm from shaft, see "I"
figure a. Install link
assembly, see
"J" figure 8
onto shaft "H". On mowers
shipped
with the tractor
this
link is on the tractor.
Reinstall
lift arm "I"
and cotter pin.
NOTE: FOR ADDITIONAL CLEAR-
ANCE REMOVE
OR LEAVE THE
GAUGE WHEELS OFF OF MOWER
AT THIS POINT.
4. Slide mower under tractor from
the left hand side. Turning
the steering wheel to the left
will raise the drag link
allowing additional clearance. Re-
move crutch tip, align hole in
universal and shaft and install
universal
joint onto the Power
Take Off (PTO) shaft. Be certain
special
cotter pin is installed,
locking universal joint to
PTO shaft.

•
5. Install support brackets "F"
figures 3 and 6 onto the front
and rear
hitch pins. Secure
with spring cotters.
NOTE: INSTA LL RIGHT SIDE
FIRST.
6. On manual lift tractors
put
lift lever in the full
fo rward position. On Hydrau-
lic Lift tractors extend
lift cylinder all the way .
Then install
the lift link.
On the
Gear Shift tractors,
lift link assembly (see
firgure 2) must be used. In-
stall the link assembly with
the short leg attached to
the
attachment lift lever.
The bend
is to point to the
front
of the tractor with
the long leg of the link
assembly in the upper plane.
See " L" figure 4.
Attach long leg of link
assembly to lift link on
mower. See "
J" figure 4.
On the Hydrostatic Drive trac-
tors,
lift link (see figure 2)
must
be used. See "K"
f igur e 5.
Attach one end of lift link
to link assembly and the other
end to the attachment l ift
lever. Secure with spring
cotters.
7. Assemble
gauge wheels as
shown
in sketch figure 7.
8. Attach the two gauge wheels
to the
mower assembly by
inserting the axle into the
center HOLE of the wheel
mounting
bracket on the rear of
the mower deck. Secure the
axles with
the KLIK pin
supplied.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT
U~E
MOWER DECK AS A STEP TO
MOUNT TRACTOR.
LEVELING OF MOWER
With the
tractor on a level
surface and with tire pressures
adjusted
to 12 pounds front
and 8 pounds rear
check if
mower is level.
•
ACHMENT LIFT LEVER
•
--~--..;..;;,.;, .;. ··", • R ............ "
GAUGE WHEEL ......... -----11j
BRACKET ......
-
-~ GAUGE WHEEL
~
I
r ~ L~~
KLIK·PINl'
COTTER PIN
J
Figure 7 FLAT
WASHER
FLAT WASHER
"L"

FRONT TO REAR LEVELING
With the tractor on a level
surface and the ga uge whe els
in the center hole, the
bottom edge of the mower
housing should be approx-
imately 2 1/4 inches off of the
floor in the rear and 3 1/2
inches in the fr ont. If mow er
is either high or low in the
front, level as
follows :
1. Loosen lock nut "E "
figure 6.
2. To
lower the front of
mower turn adjuster " D" figure
6 counter-clockwise (when
viewed from rear of mow e r) to
lengthen the lin kage. To
raise the front of mower turn
clockwise to shorten the
linkage. When correct adjust-
ment is achieved, secure with
locknut "E" .
SIDE TO SIDE LEVELING
If mower does not hang level
side to side, when suspended
on the lift, correct as
follows :
Loosen
capscrews "A " see
fi
gures 3, 6, 8, and 9. Move
stops up or down in slots "M "
until correct adjustment is
achieved.
Secure capscrews "A".
OPERATION
Before ma k ing test run, check
oil level in g ear case. Be
sure
plastic cap is removed
from
bre ather , and ch e ck
grease in bla de spindle s.
a. Recheck all nuts and bolts
for ti gh tn ess after i nit ial
run-
in of t wo (2) to four
(4)
hour s of o pera tion.
b.
Rech eck oil level of gear
case and reg rease blad e
spindles every eig ht (8)
ho urs of oper ation or
o ftener if condi tions dictate .
CAU TION
BEFORE U SIN G MO WER RE-
MOVE STONES, WIRE, E TC .
FR OM AREA TO BE MOWE D. BE
SURE TO AVOID STRIKING
PROTRUDING
OBJECTS SUCH
AS PIPES, ROOTS
AND EARTH
MOUNDS WITH CUTTING
BLADES AS THIS COULD
DAMAGE THE MOWER.
NEVER
PLACE HANDS OR
FEET UNDER MOWER BASE
WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING,
OR P.T.O. LEVER IS IN
"ON" POSITION.
Be sure the mower is disengaged
before starting the engine .
For best results, the engine
should run at full throttle to
main tai n sufficient blade
speed. The ground speed should
"H" "A"
hgu re 8
be co n tr o lled with the trac to r
gea r shift or travel pe dal and
no t by chang ing eng ine sp eed .
For
heavy c utti ng or wh en
engine begins to labor, t he
ground spe ed mus t be reduced.
THE M
OW ER MAY N OT CUT
PR OPERLY WHEN THE GROUND
SPEED IS TOO HIG H, THE
BL
ADE SPEED DROPS DUE TO
THE ENGINE L ABORING OR
TH E P.T.O. BELT S ARE TOO
LOOSE.
If the mower does not cut
prop e rly check the fo ll ow i ng:
1. The tr acto r eng ine is not
at full thr ott le or up to
speed. Set t hrottle as
instruc te d in manu al.
2. The ground speed is too
fast
for grass co n ditions.
Stop the tractor and shift to
lower ra n ge to reduce ground
speed.
3. P.T.O.
belt too l oose . Re-
adjust P.T.O. as per tractor
ma n ual.
CONTROLS
There are two controls for
operating the mower, the
tractor power take-off lever
for engagi ng and disen gag ing
the mower, and the tractor
lift lever or hydra u lic lift
valve to raise and lower the
"B " "D"
"E"
"G"
"K "

mower. THE POWER TAKE-OFF
identical and staggered for the sensitive new
cut grass
LEVER MUST BE ENGAGED
clearance so the position of
is not exposed to the direct
SLOWLY WHEN STARTING individual blades is not sun.
MOWER. THIS WILL HELP important. BE SURE THE BLADES Do
not cut your grass too
PREVENT PREMATURE BELT ARE FASTENED SECURELY AT
FAILURE.
ALL TIMES. CHECK short. Do
not remove more
PERIODICALLY. TORQUE TO than 1/3
of the leaf height
HEIGHT OF CUT
25 FT. LBS.
during each cutting. if
you
cut too close you shock
The
cutting height is
MOWING TIPS the grass and this results
regulated by the gauge wheels. A beautiful
rich lawn does in a shallow root system.
The
lift lever should be in not happen by accident. It The shallower the roots
the front position or hydrau-
takes time and hard work. the greater the possibility
lie
lift cylinder fully there will be times when
of the grass drying out and
·extended when mowing to allow
your grass is unusually tall
turning brown.
the
mower to float. There and
thick, like the spring During the hot dry season
are three
height positions
of the year or when a let your grass
grow a little
for the
gauge wheels. when vacation interrupts your taller. This allows the
repositioning the gauge
cutting schedule. When this roots to penetrate deeper
wheel the
mower must be happens you can overload the and the
longer grass helps
raised and the
tractor engine
mower, slowing down the keep the soil
cool and moist.
must be stopped. When
cut-
cutting blades. Raise the
ting tall grass or in
cutting height and cut at a Always keep your
cutting
questionable areas, it is reduced
ground speed. In a blades sharp. A
dull blade
advisable
to cut at a higher speed few days
cut your lawn again shatters the leaf which
range than on an average
at the regular cutting height. reduces the healthy growth
lawn
since the power require- For extremely heavy grass
of your lawn.
ments are greater. The mower it is advisable
to cut
level can be raised, for only 1/2 or 3/4
of the LUBRICATION
these conditions, with the
normal cutting width. This
L
lift lever or hydraulic lift.
will reduce the load on the The
unit has five grease
For transport,
disengage the mower allowing the blades fittings. One on each blade
tractor power take-off and to maintian
their cutting
housing located on the top
raise the mower
to the highest
speeds providing a cleaner side
of the mower deck; one
position with
tractor lift or
cut. on each universal joint.
hydraulic lift.
It is always better to lap Lubricate grease fittings
every 8 hours
of operation with
A REMOVE UNIVERSAL your
mower over the left FMC Bolens No. 16020 grease
JOINT FROM TRACTOR wheel
tracks of the previous and No. 16023 grease gun.
cut. This will allow the
CAUTION POWER TAKE-OFF mower
to cut the grass that NOTE: THE GEAR CASE IS
SHAFT. WHEN MOWER IS RE-
MOVED FROM TRACTOR. IF was tramped down by the FILLED AT THE FACTORY
THE JOINT IS NOT RE- wheels, reducing the WITH FMC BOLENS NO.
16021
MOVED AND THE POWER
possibility of stripping.
EP 90 GEAR OIL
TAKE-OFF IS EI\•GAGED, Where ever possible, do not CHECK GEAR CASE OIL
DAMAGE WILL R1::3UL T FROM
discharge the grass LEVEL BEFORE USING MOWER
WHIPPING ACTION OF THE
clippings into the uncut
AND AT LEAST EVERY 8
FI1EE END OF THE UNI- grass. If necessary, make HOURS OF OPERATION,
OR
VERSAL JOINT. one
or two passes around the OFTENER IF REQUIRED. ADD
outside of the plot and then FMC BOLENS NO.
16021
CUTTING BLADES reverse the direction
of the
EP 90 GEAR OIL TO MAIN-
cut throwing the clippings
TAIN FILLER HOLE LEVEL.
For
efficient cutting, main- over the
cut portion. This LUBRICATE THE BEARINGS
tain sharp cutting edges on
allows the mower to cut
IN THE GAUGE WHEELS
the blades at all times.
cleaner and disperse the PERIODICALLY WITH AN
When sharpening blades, be
clippings more evenly. OIL CAN.
sure
to grind or file equal
portions
off both ends to
It is best to avoid cutting
Frequently lubricate, with
maintain balance, as
an
wet grass which will form Bolens No. 16020 multi-purpose
unbalanced blade will cause clumps
giving the lawn an
grease, the sliding portion of
excessive vibration. The untidy look.
If you have a the rectangular mower
drive
blades should be checked on
choice late afternoon is the shaft. This is necessary to
a blade balancer before ideal time for mowing assure free up and down move-
reinstalling. The blades are because the grass
is dry and ment of the mower.

•
DRIVE BELT
The mower has one drive belt
which drives the three blades,
as illustrated in figure 9.
This belt is under constant
spring tension and requires no.·
adjustment. To replace drive
belt proceed as follows:
(1) Remove mower from tractor.
(2) Release springs on front
lift arm assemblies see "K"
figure 8.
Refer to figure 9 for the
following:
(3) Remove front hanger
brackets from mower deck.
(4) Remove belt shield.
(5) Release tension of spring (H).
(6) Remove
capsrews (G) holding
gear case to base.
(7) Remove drive
belt from
drive pulleys (I) and idler
pulleys (J) and (K).
(8) Raise gear case (L) which
will allow enough clearance to
slide belt out from the rear.
(9) Install new belt by
reversing the above procedure.
(10) When remounting front
"U" brackets align with a
straight edge. See figure 10.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Your mower is equipped with a
hose
fitting insert which
enables you to wash out the
underside of your mower with-
out removing it from the
tractor. To attach hose,
remove the
plastic cap "G"
figure 10, from the hose
fitting. Attach hose, lower
mower to its lowest cutting
position, start tractor
engine.
NOTE: BE SURE TRACTOR
SHIFT LEVER IS IN
NEUTRAL
OR TRANSMISSION SELECTOR
IS IN PARK ON HYDRO-
STATIC UNITS AND PARKING
BRAKE APPLIED.
Figure 9
Figure 10
Engage mower blades, then
turn water on full force for
approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
Shut off water and allow blades
to continue running for several
more minutes. This will air-
dry the under side of the deck.
NOTE: ALWAYS PLACE P.T.O.
LEVER IN THE OFF POSITION
BEFORE DISCONNECTING HOSE.
REPLACE HOSE FITTING CAP
AFTER WASHING OUT DECK.
Periodically place a few drops
of oil on all linkage joints
especially on mower after
washing out. Regularly check
the complete unit for loose
screws and nuts.
Bolens reserves the right
to change specifications, add
improvements or discontinue
the manufacture of any of its
equipment without notice or
obligation to purchasers of its
equipment.
Bolens' approval of the
use
of attachments manufactured
by other manufacturers is
limited to assurance that such
use will not void Bolens
warranty on the . Bolens
equipment to which the allied
manufactured attachments are
adapled. The responsibility for-
the design, performance, dura-
bility, safety in operation,
service repair availability, and
warranty obligation remain with
the allied mahufacturer.
Bolens specifically excludes
from its warranty obligation all
such allied manufactured
attachments.
Bolens warranty will be
vo1aed if unapproved attach-
ments are adapted to use with
Bolens equipment
and are so used.