Toro 30144 User manual

Operator’s Manual
IMPORTANT: Read this manual carefully. It contains information about your
safety and the safety of others. Also become familiar with the controls and
their proper use before you operate the product.
FORM NO. 3318–174 Rev. B
44″Mower
for Mid-Size Traction Unit
Model No. 30144 – 690646 & Up

The TORO Company - 1995
1
FOREWORD
This cutting deck has advanced concepts in
engineering, design and safety; and if maintained
properly, will give excellent service.
Since this is a highquality product, Toro is concerned
about the future use of the machine and safety of the
user. Therefore, read this manual to familiarize yourself
with proper setup, operation and maintenance
instructions. The major sections of the manual are:
Certain information in this manual is emphasized.
DANGER, WARNING and CAUTION identify personal
safety related information. IMPORTANT identifies
mechanical information demanding special attention.
Be sure to read this directive because it deals with the
possibility of damaging a part or parts of the machine.
NOTE identifies general information worthy of special
attention.
1.Safety Instructions
2.Setup Instructions
3.Operating Instructions
4.Maintenance
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page Page
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 2-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SAFETY AND INSTRUCTION DECALS 4. . . . . . . . .
SPECIFICATIONS 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LOOSE PARTS 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS 6-7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Install Castor Wheels 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mount Carrier Frame to Traction Unit 6. . . . . . . .
Mount Cutting Deck 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Install Drive Belt 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjust HeightofCut 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Grass Deflector 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LUBRICATION 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Grease Bearings and Bushings 9. . . . . . . . . . . .
MAINTENANCE 10-15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trouble Shooting 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replace Castor Arm Bushings 11. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Castor Wheel and Bearing 11. . . . . . . . .
Check for Bent Blade 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replace Cutter Blade 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Blade Sail and Sharpening 13. . . . . . . . . .
Correcting Cutting Unit Mismatch 14. . . . . . . . . . .
Replace Grass Deflector 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replace Deck Belt 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IDENTIFICATION AND ORDERING 16. . . . . . . . . . . .
MAINTENANCE CHART 16-18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WARRANTY 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
The safety alert symbol means
CAUTION, WARNING or DAN
GER  personal safety instruc
tion". Read and under stand
the instruction because
it has to do with safety. Failure to comply with
the instruction may result in personal injury.
Improper use or maintenance of the machine can
result in injury or death, to reduce the potential for
injury or death, comply with the following safety
instructions.
BEFORE OPERATING
1. Read and understand the contents of this
Operator's Manual before operating the machine.
Become familiar with all controls and know how to stop
quickly. A replacement manual is available by sending
complete Model and Serial Number to:
The Toro Company
8111 Lyndale Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 554201196
2. Never allow children to operate the machine. Do
not allow adults to operate machine without proper
instruction. Only trained operators who have read this
manual should operate this machine.
3. Never operate the machine when under the
influence of drugs or alcohol.
4. Remove all debris or other objects that might be
picked up and thrown by the cutter blades. Keep all
bystanders away from the mowing area.
5. Do not operate machine unless all shields, guards,
covers and safety devices in place. If a shield, guard,
safety device or decal is illegible or damaged, repair or
replace it before operating machine.
6. Do not operate machine while wearing sandals,
tennis shoes, sneakers or shorts. Also, do not wear
loose fitting clothing which could get caught in moving
parts. Always wear long pants and substantial shoes.
Wearing safety glasses, safety shoes and a helmet is
advisable and required by some local ordinances and
insurance regulations.
7. Start engine only when parking brake is set, PTO
(blade) is disengaged and transmission is in neutral.
WHILE OPERATING
8. Do not run the engine in a confined area without
adequate ventilation. Exhaust fumes are hazardous
and could possibly be deadly.
9. Using the machine demands attention, and to
prevent loss of control:
A. Mow only in daylight or when there is good
artificial light.
B. Watch for holes or other hidden hazards.
C. Do not drive close to a sand trap, ditch, creek or
other hazard.
D. Reduce speed when making sharp turns.
E. Avoid sudden starts and stops.
F. Cut slopes carefully. Do not start, stop, or turn
suddenly on hillsides.
G. Before backing up, look to the rear and assure
no one is behind the machine.
H. Watch out for traffic when near or crossing
roads. Always yield the rightof way.
10. Do not operate unless grass deflector, Recycler
cover or entire grass collector is installed. The grass
deflector must always be installed and in lowest
position on the side discharge cutting unit. This
product is designed to drive objects into the ground
where they lose energy quickly in grassy areas.
However, don't take an injury risk!! When a person or
pet appears unexpectedly in or near the mowing area,
STOP MOWING. Careless operation, combined with
terrain angles, ricochets, or improperly positioned
guards, can lead to thrown object injuries. Do not
resume mowing until area is cleared.
11. Never raise the cutting unit or change heightofcut
while the blade(s) are rotating.
12. If the cutting blade(s) strike a solid object or the
machine vibrates abnormally, shut the engine off.
Remove spark plug wire(s) to prevent accidental
starting. Check cutting unit and traction unit for
damage and malfunctioning parts. Repair any damage
before restarting the engine and operating the cutting
unit. Be sure blade(s) are in good condition and blade
bolts are tightened to specification.
13. Do not touch engine or muffler while engine is
running or soon after it is stopped. These areas couId
be hot enough to cause a burn.
MAINTENANCE
14. Remove key from ignition switch and disconnect
spark plug wire(s) to prevent accidental starting of the
engine when servicing, adjusting or storing the
machine.
15. Perform only those maintenance instructions
described in this manual. If major repairs are ever
needed or assistance is desired, contact an Authorized
TORO Distributor.

3
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
16. To reduce potential fire hazard, keep the engine
free of excessive grease, grass, leaves and
accumulations of dirt.
17. Be sure machine is in safe operating condition by
keeping nuts, bolts and screws tight. Check the blade
mounting bolts and nuts frequently to be sure they are
tightened to specification.
18. Make sure all hydraulic line connectors are tight,
and all hydraulic hoses and lines are in good condition
before applying pressure to the system.
19. Keep body and hands away from pin hole leaks in
hydraulic lines that eject high pressure hydraulic fluid.
Use cardboard or paper to find hydraulic leaks.
Hydraulic fluid escaping under pressure can penetrate
skin and cause injury. Fluid accidentally injected into
the skin must be surgically removed within a few hours
by a doctor familiar with this form of injury or gangrene
may result.
20. Before disconnecting or performing any work on
the hydraulic system, all pressure in system must be
relieved by stopping engine and placing hydrostatic
traction control in neutral.
21. If the engine must be running to perform a
maintenance adjustment, keep hands, feet, clothing
and other parts of the body away from the cutting unit
blades and other moving parts.
22. Allow engine to cool before storing mower in any
enclosure such as a garage or storage shed. Make
sure the mower fuel tank is empty if machine is to be
stored in excess of 30 days. Do not store mower near
any open flame or where gasoline fumes may be
ignited by a spark. Always store gasoline in a
safetyapproved, red metal container.
23. At the time of manufacture, the machine
conformed to the safety standards in effect. To ensure
optimum performance and continued safety
conformance of the machine, use genuine TORO
replacement parts and accessories. Replacement
parts and accessories made by other manufacturers
may result in nonconformance with safety standards
and could void the warranty.

4
SAFETY AND INSTRUCTION DECALS
The following decals are installed on the machine. If any become damaged or illegible, replace it. The decal part
number is listed below and in your parts catalog. Replacement can be ordered from your Authorized Toro
Distributor.
2"
3"
4"
5"
2/"
3/"
4/"
ON BOTH SIDES OF CUTTING UNIT
(Part No. 66-1340)
ON LEFT SIDE OF CUTTING UNIT
(Part No. 68-8340)
UNDER DEFLECTOR
(Part No. 66-6380)
ON LEFT, CENTER AND RIGHT SIDES
OF DECK, UNDER SHIELDS
(Part No. 67-5360)
ON LEFT SIDE OF CUTTING UNIT
(Part No. 43-8480)
DANGER
DO NOT OPERATE THIS UNIT UNLESS
ALL SHIELDS ARE FIRMLY SECURED. DEFLECTOR IS NOT IN PLACE
DO NOT OPERATE
ON DEFLECTOR
(Part No. 54-9220)
OPERATE ONLY WITH DEFLECTOR
OR ENTIRE CATCHER IN PLACE
ON SIDES OF CUTTING UNIT
(Part No. 857450), Left Side
(Part No. 857460), Right Side

5
SPECIFICATIONS
Width of Cut: 44 in. (1.12 m).
Height of Cut: Adjustable in 1/2 " increments, from 2"
to 5".
Cutter Blades: Three heat treated steel blades, each
3/16 in. (4.8 mm) thick and 151/2 in. (394 mm) long.
Castor Wheels: 8 x 31/2 inch with greaseable roller
bearings. (Inflate to 10-15 psi)
Weight: 155 lb. (70.3 Kg)
Specifications and design subject to change without
notice.
LOOSE PARTS
NOTE: Use this chart as a checklist to assure all parts have been received.
DESCRIPTION QTY. USE
Castor Wheel Assembly
Spacer
Thrust Washer
Retaining Ring
2
2
8
2
Mount Castor Wheels to Carrier Frame
Carrier Frame
Flange Screws
Flange Nuts
1
6
6Mount Carrier Frame to Traction Unit
Adjusting Shaft
Jam Nuts
Washer
Spring
Bushing
2
4
2
2
2
Mount Adjusting Shafts
Clevis Pin
Hair Pin Cotter
4
4Mount Cutting Unit to Carrier Frame
Operator’s Manual
Parts Catalog
1
1Read Before Operating Cutting Unit and
Ordering Parts

6
SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS
INSTALL CASTOR WHEELS
1. Place (2) thrust washers onto castor wheel shaft
(Fig. 1).
2. If cutting unit is to be mounted on a traction unit
with a serial number of 590001 & up, position a caster
wheel spacer (Fig. 1) below carrier frame, when
mounting caster wheels. When mounting cutting units
on traction units with serial number prior to 5900001
place the spacer above carrier frame.
1474
4
4
3
1
2
5
Figure 1
1Castor wheel assembly
2Carrier frame
3Spacer
4Thrust washer
5Retaining ring
3. Insert shaft into carrier frame mounting tube. Install
(2) thrust washers and secure with retaining ring
(Fig. 1).
4. On traction units prior to Serial No. 590001 install
1”–4” height-of-cut decal over existing 2”–5” decal.
MOUNT CARRIER FRAME TO TRACTION
UNIT
1. Align carrier frame holes with mounting holes in
traction unit frame. Secure each side with three (3)
flange screws and lock nuts. Position bottom lock nut
outside frame. Torque mounting screws to 60-80 ft.
lbs. (81-109 Nm).
1
2
1074
Figure 2
1Carrierframe 2Traction frame
MOUNT CUTTING DECK
1. Position cutting deck under carrier frame.
2. Mount cutting unit to carrier frame with four (4)
clevis pins and hair pin cotters (Fig. 5).
Note: All four pins must be in the same hole locations
to prevent uneven cutting.

7
SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS
INSTALL DRIVE BELT
1. Route belt around deck drive pulley and engine
clutch pulley (Fig. 3).Belt must be between belt guides.
Figure 3
1Drive pulley
2Clutch pulley (not shown) 3Belt guides
2. Thread two (2) jam nuts on each adjusting shaft
approximately 9 in. (Fig. 4).
3. Slide a washer, spring and bushing onto each
adjusting shaft. Install bushing with flange end against
spring.
4. Insert spring end of adjusting shaft into hole in
deck mounting bracket and other end into carrier
frame mounting tab. Small end of bushing fits into hole
in deck bracket (Fig. 4).
5. To tension belt, tighten front jam nut on each
adjusting shaft until springs are compressed 5 inches.
Measure between washer and bushing (Fig. 4).
Secure rear jam nuts.
Figure 4
1Adjustingshaft
2Jam nuts
3Washer
4Spring
5Bushing
6. Check position of belt guides. Guides should be
positioned about 1/8 in. (3.175 mm) away from belt.
7. Install belt cover if removed.

8
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
ADJUST HEIGHTOFCUT
The heightofcut is adjustable from 1" to 4" or 2" to 5"
(depending on traction unit) in 1/2" increments by
relocating clevis pins in different hole locations in
brackets at each corner of cutting unit (Fig, 5). Stop
engine before making height-of-cut adjustment.
Note: All four pins must be in the same hole location for
even cutting.
Figure 5
11 in. or 2 in.
21-1/2 in. or 2–1/2in.
32 in. or 3 in.
42-1/2 in. or 3–1/2 in.
53 in. or 4 in.
63-1/2 in. or 4–1/2 in.
74 in. or 5 in.
8Grass deflector
9Spring hinges
GRASS DEFLECTOR
WARNING
The grass deflector (Fig. 6) is a safety device
that diverts grass and other foreign objects
discharged downward. Without deflector
mounted in place on the cutting unit and
spring loaded hinges holding deflector in the
down position, the blades could hurl grass
and foreign objects out the discharge
opening with enough force to cause injury or
property damage. If the grass deflector or
spring hinges are worn, broken or damaged,
repair or replace the affected part(s). Do not
operate cutting unit without deflector,
discharge cover or entire grass collector
mounted on the cutting unit. Always be sure
the deflector chute is in the lowest possible
position.
Figure 6
1Grass deflector 2Spring hinges

9
LUBRICATION
GREASE BEARINGS AND BUSHINGS
The cutting unit must be lubricated regularly, after
every 8 hours of operation or daily, whichever comes
first. Grease with No. 2 general purpose lithium base or
molybdenum base grease.
1. Grease: castor spindle bushings, castor wheel
bearings, blade spindle bearings and deck belt idler
bushing (Fig. 7).
Figure 7