Toro 78253 User manual

Operator’s Manual
English (GB)
Form No. 3326–461
Wheel Horse
52Mower
for Lawn and Garden Tractors
Model No. 78253 – 200000001 & Up

The Toro Company – 1997
Printed in USA
Introduction
We want you to be completely satisfied with your
new product, so feel free to contact your local
Authorized Service Dealer for help with service,
genuine replacement parts, or other information you
may require.
Whenever you contact your Authorized Service
Dealer or the factory, always know the model and
serial numbers of your product. These numbers will
help the Service Dealer or Service Representative
provide exact information about your specific
product. You will find the model and serial number
plate located in a unique place on the product as
shown below.
1
2371
1. Modeland Serial Number Plate
For your convenience, write the product model and
serial numbers in the space below.
Model No:
Serial No.
The warning system in this manual identifies
potential hazards and has special safety messages that
help you and others avoid personal injury, even death.
DANGER, WARNING and CAUTION are signal
words used to identify the level of hazard. However,
regardless of the hazard, be extremely careful.
DANGER signals an extreme hazard that will cause
serious injury or death if the recommended
precautions are not followed.
WARNING signals a hazard that may cause serious
injury or death if the recommended precautions are
not followed.
CAUTION signals a hazard that may cause minor or
moderate injury if the recommended precautions are
not followed.
Two other words are also used to highlight
information. “Important” calls attention to special
mechanical information and “Note” emphasizes
general information worthy of special attention.
The left and right side of the machine is determined
by sitting on the seat in the normal operator’s
position.

1
Contents
Page
Safety and Instruction Decals 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loose Parts 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mower Preparation 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tractor Preparation 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing the Mower 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transport Height Adjustment 9. . . . . . . . . . .
Side-to-Side Mower Leveling 9. . . . . . . . . .
Front-to-Rear Blade Slope 10. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Removing the Mower 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Side Discharge 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating the Power Take Off (PTO) 12. . . .
Attachment Lift Lever 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page
Attachment Power Lift 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjusting Dial-A-Height 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjusting Anti-Scalp Wheels 14. . . . . . . . . . .
Tips for Mowing Grass 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Interval Chart 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cutting Blade 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Greasing and Lubrication 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Blade Drive Belt 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Take Off (PTO) Belt 20. . . . . . . . . . . .
Washing Underside of Mower 20. . . . . . . . . .
Storage 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Troubleshooting 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Safety
2
Safety and Instruction Decals
Safety decals and instructions are easily visible to the operator and are located near
any area of potential danger. Replace any decal that is damaged or lost.
ON GRASS DEFLECTOR
(Part No. 93–7317)
ON MOWER REAR CENTER
(Part No. 94–4937)
ON MOWER LEFT AND
DISCHARGE CHUTE
(Part No. 93–7316)
NEXT TO GAGE WHEELS
(Part No. 93–7282)
ON MOWER LEFT SIDE
(Part No. 94–2543)
UNDER GRASS DEFLECTOR
(Part No. 93–7009)

3
Installation
Loose Parts
Note: Use the chart below to identify parts used for assembly.
DESCRIPTION QTY. USE
Gage wheel
Shoulder bolt
Locknut 3/8–24 (with patch on threads)
2
2
2Install gage wheels
Rear link bracket
Washer 1/2” (13 mm)
Cotter pin 1” (26 mm)
1
2
2Install rear link bracket
Adjustable links
Washer
Cotter pin 1” (26 mm)
2
2
2Install front mount to mower
Grass deflector
Spring
Bolt 3/8– 24 x 3-1/2” (89 mm)
Locknut 3/8–24
1
2
2
2
Install grass deflector
Up stop 1Install mower up stop
Hairpin cotter 3-3/8” (85 mm)
Washer 3/4” (19 mm)
Link pin
Hairpin cotter2-9/16” (65 mm)
Washer
2
2
1
3
3
Install mower to tractor
Operator’s Manual
Warranty card
1
1Read before operating
IMPORTANT: If you have a 1999 or earlier
tractor and are installing a 2000 or later 52
in. deck, a kit will be needed to install the
deck. Obtain this kit from an Authorized
Service Dealer.

Installation
4
Mower Preparation
1. Attach gage wheels to the outside of arms on
rear carrier assembly. Grease fitting on wheel
must face in (Fig. 1).
2. Secure with shoulder bolt and 3/8” lock nut,
with internal locking patch on threads (Fig. 1).
Note: Grease wheels.
4
1
5
3
2
m-4760
Figure 1
1. Carrierarm
2. Wheel
3. Grease fitting in
4. Shoulder bolt
5. Lock nut 3/8” (with patch)
3. Install link bracket between mower bracket and
carrier lift arm (Fig. 2).
4. Secure with 1/2” washers and 1” (26 mm) cotter
pins (Fig. 2).
2
1
3
4m–4617
Figure 2
1. Link Bracket
2. Carrier lift arm 3. Washer 1/2” 4. Cotter pin 1” (26 mm)
5. Rotate adjustable links so bolt heads are up and
place between brackets, as shown, on front of the
mower (Fig. 3).
6. Secure to brackets with 1/2” washers and 1”
(26 mm) cotter pins (Fig. 3).
m–3285
2
4
3
1
4
3
Figure 3
1. Adjustablelink
2. Bracket 3. Washer 1/2” 4. Cotter pin 1” (26 mm)

Installation
5
7. Place springs into brackets on mower with
hooked ends over raised back (Fig. 4).
8. Align grass deflector with holes in brackets and
spring straight ends in space under hinge and
above deflector (Fig. 4).
9. Secure deflector to bracket with 3/8–3-1/2 (89
mm) bolts through grass deflector, springs and
brackets. Secure with 3/8” lock nuts (Fig. 4).
10. Lift grass deflector and check that it is spring
loaded and pivots freely to the full down
position.
IMPORTANT: Grass deflector must be
spring loaded in the down position. Lift
deflector up to test that it snaps to the full
down position.
1
5
3
6
1783
4
2
Figure 4
1. Bracket
2. Springhook end
3. space for spring
4. Grass deflector
5. Bolt 3/8–3-1/2” (89 mm)
6. Lock nut 3/8”
POTENTIAL HAZARD
•Without the grass deflector, discharge
cover, or complete grass catcher assembly
mounted in place, you and others are
exposed to blade contact and thrown
debris.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
•Contact with rotating mower blade(s) and
thrown debris will cause injury or death.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
•NEVER remove the grass deflector from
the mower because the grass deflector
routes material down toward the turf. If the
grass deflector is ever damaged, replace it
immediately.
•Never put your hands or feet under the
mower.
•Never try to clear discharge area or mower
blades unless you move the power take off
(PTO) to “OFF” and rotate the ignition key
to “OFF.” Also remove the key and pull the
wire off the spark plug(s).

Installation
6
Tractor Preparation
1. Park the machine on a level surface and lower
attachment lift to the full “DOWN” position.
Refer to Operation: Attachment Lift page 13.
Note: Turn Dial-A-Height control to allow
lift to go to full “MOUNTING”
position.
2. Adjust air pressure in tires to recommended
pressure.
3. Adjust transport height nut until bottom of rear
lift arms are approximately 7-1/4” (188 mm)
from the level surface (Fig. 5).
2
3
1
m–2399
Figure 5
1. Transportheight nut
2. Rear lift arms 3. 7-1/4” (188 mm)
4. Raise attachment lift to the full “UP” position.
Refer to Operation: Attachment Lift page 13.
5. Remove E-ring, washer and lift link from front
lift arm (Fig. 6).
6. Hold front lift arm up until stop contacts frame
(Fig. 6).
7. Push back hard on lift rod, to raise linkage, and
check location of lift rod compared to mounting
hole location.
8. Adjust length of lift rod, by turning in\out of
trunnion, so end just slides into mounting hole in
front lift arm (Fig. 6).
9. Slide lift rod into hole and secure with
previously removed washer and E-ring (Fig. 6).
10. Check that stop is 0”–1/8” (0–3 mm) away frame
when fully assembled and lift in the full “UP”
position.
2m–3398
4
1
3
5
Figure 6
1. E-ring
2. Washer
3. Stop on lift arm
4. Lift link
5. Trunnion

Installation
7
11. Unplug clutch wire terminal from tractor wire
harness and remove retainer clip (Fig 8).
Remove center retaining bolt and washer then
slide double pulley clutch off shaft (Fig. 7).
Note: Center bolt is installed with thread
locking compound, impact wrench
may be required to remove.
Note: Save hardware for use when installing
single pulley clutch.
12. Position clutch so wire points toward right front
of tractor and point of triangle is in captured
up-stop. Align key in clutch with keyway and
slide single pulley clutch onto shaft (Fig. 7).
Secure with thread locking compound on threads
of previously removed hardware.
13. Torque bolt to 55 ft-lbs. (75 N.m)
1
2
43
5
6
m-4828
Figure 7
1. SinglePulley Clutch –
Included with deck
2. Engine
3. Bolt
4. Washer
5. Clutch Plug–in
6. Upstop
14. Install retainer clip and clutch plug–in to right
side of frame as shown in figure 8. Make sure
there is no slack in plug–in wire between clutch
and retainer clip.
1
2
3
m–4633
4
Figure 8
1. Clutch Plug–in
2. Right side of frame 3. Retainer Clip 4. Right Front Tire
15. Plug clutch plug–in into terminal of tractor wire
harness (Fig.7).
16. Remove bolts securing existing up-stop to
tractor frame (Fig. 9).
17. Place J-clip, holding drain hose, against frame
and mount new, long, up-stop to frame with
previously removed hardware (Fig. 9).
2
13
m–4622
4
Figure 9
1. Up-stop (long)
2. J-clip
3. Existing bolts
4. Ensure this tab is in slot in
clutch

Installation
8
Installing the Mower
1. Park the machine on a level surface, disengage
the power take off (PTO), set the parking brake,
and turn the ignition key to “OFF” to stop the
engine. Remove the key.
2. Turn the front wheels straight ahead and raise
attachment lift lever all the way to the latched
position; refer to tractor Operator’s Manual.
3. Slide the mower under tractor from right side,
turning front wheels as necessary. Align rear
mounting bushings with ends of lift arms.
4. Turn Dial-a-Height knob counterclockwise, all
the way, and lower attachment lift lever to the
mounting position; refer to Operation page 14.
5. Place rear guide bushings, first left side then
right, onto lift arms then slide deck left into
position (Fig. 10).
6. Secure deck to rear lift arms with 3/4” washers
and large hairpin cotters (Fig. 10).
7. Install front adjustable links to front lift arms
with 1/2” washer and small hairpin cotter
(Fig. 10).
1
7
2
3
4
5
6
6
5
8
M–3644
Figure 10
1. Lift arm
2. Washer 3/4”
3. Hair pin cotter–large
4. Attachment lift
5. Washer 1/2”
6. Hair pin cotter–small
7. Link pin
8. Carrier Lift Arm
POTENTIAL HAZARD
•Movement of powerlift can injure a person
when aligning deck with lift arms.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
•Contact between carrier lift arm and
attachment lift can cause serious injury.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
•Do not place hands between carrier lift arm
and attachment lift while powerlift is on.
•Turn key off and remove, after carrier lift
arm and attachment lift are aligned.
8. Attach rear link to attachment lift with link pin,
1/2” washer and small hairpin cotter (Fig. 10).
Note: Use powerlift to align carrier lift arm
with attachment lift. Insert link when
holes are aligned.
9. Pull on drive belt and rotate onto engine pulley
to install (Fig. 11).
Note: Make sure belt is properly located in
engine and deck pulleys and around
idler pulley.
10. Adjust belt guide so distance between belt and
guide is 1/8” (4 mm) (Fig. 11).
322418
1
4
Figure 11
Top View
1. Idler pulley
2. Drive belt 3. Engine pulley 4. 1/8” (4 mm)