5' 3-POINT ROUGH CUT MOWER - Harbor Freight Tools

5’ 3-POINT ROUGH CUT MOWER 

98795 

SET UP AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 

Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com 

Read this material before using this product. 

Failure to do so can result in serious injury. 

SAVE THIS MANUAL. 

Copyright © 2008 by Harbor Freight Tools ® . All rights reserved. No portion of this manual or any artwork 

contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form without the express written consent of 

Harbor Freight Tools. Diagrams within this manual may not be drawn proportionally. Due to continuing 

improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein. Tools required for 

assembly and service may not be included. 

For technical questions or replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353. 

Revised Manual 09l

SAVE THIS MANUAL 

Keep this manual for the safety warnings 

and precautions, assembly, operating, 

inspection, maintenance and cleaning 

procedures. Write the product’s serial 

number in the back of the manual near the 

assembly diagram (or month and year of 

purchase if product has no number). Keep 

this manual and the receipt in a safe and 

dry place for future reference. 

IMPORTANT SAFETY 

INSTRUCTIONS 

In this manual, on the labeling, 

and all other information 

provided with this product: 

This is the safety alert 

symbol. It is used to alert 

you to potential personal 

injury hazards. Obey all 

safety messages that 

follow this symbol to avoid 

possible injury or death. 

DANGER indicates 

a hazardous 

situation which, if not 

avoided, will result in death or 

serious injury. 

WARNING 

indicates a 

hazardous situation which, if 

not avoided, could result in 

death or serious injury. 

CAUTION, used 

with the safety 

alert symbol, indicates a 

hazardous situation which, if 

not avoided, could result in 

minor or moderate injury. 

NOTICE is used to 

address practices 

not related to personal injury. 

CAUTION, without 

the safety alert 

symbol, is used to address 

practices not related to 

personal injury. 

When using 

Mowers, basic 

safety precautions should 

always be followed to reduce 

the risk of fire and personal 

injury, including the following: 

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS 

Personal Safety 

1. Dress Properly - Do not wear loose 

clothing or jewelry. They can be 

caught in moving parts. Use steel 

toed footwear is recommended when 

working outdoors. Wear protective 

hair covering to contain long hair. 

2. Wear ANSI-approved safety 

goggles and heavy-duty 

work gloves. Use NIOSH 

approved face or dust mask if operation 

is dusty. 

3. Use ear protection during operation; 

sound levels over 85 dB can cause 

permanent hearing damage. 

4. Do not Overreach - Keep proper footing 

and balance at all times. 

5. Stay Alert - Watch what you are 

doing. Use common sense. Do not 

operate Mower when you are tired. 

6. Do not grasp the cutting 

blades. 

SKU 98795 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353. Page 2

7. 

Keep hands and feet away 

from cutting area. 

8. Keep hands away from 

blades. 

9. Wear thick jeans and 

steel-toed work boots to 

help prevent injury 

caused by flying debris. 

Mower Use and Care 

1. Avoid Dangerous Environment 

- Do not use in damp or wet locations. 

2. Do not Use In Rain. 

3. Keep Children Away - All visitors 

should be kept at a distance of at 

least 20 yards from work area. 

4. When servicing use only identical 

replacement parts. 

5. Use Right Mower - Do not use the 

Mower for any job except that for 

which it is intended. 

6. Do not Force the Mower - It will do 

the job better and with less likelihood 

of injury at the rate for which it was 

designed. Do not exceed 3 MPH during 

use. 

7. Raise Mower, secure it in the upright 

position, and do not exceed 20 MPH 

during transport. Do not transport 

Mower on public roads. 

8. Store Idle Mowers Indoors - When 

not in use, Mowers should be stored 

indoors in a dry, locked-up place - out 

of reach of children. 

9. Maintain Mower With Care - Keep 

cutting edge sharp and clean for best 

performance and to reduce the risk of 

injury. Follow instructions for lubricating 

and changing accessories. Keep 

surfaces dry, clean, and free from oil 

and grease. 

10. Before use of the Mower. Check for 

alignment of moving parts, binding 

of moving parts, breakage of parts, 

mounting, and any other condition 

that may affect its operation. A guard 

or other part that is damaged should 

be properly repaired or replaced by a 

qualified technician. 

11. Disconnect the Mower from the 

tractor when not in use, before servicing, 

and when changing accessories 

such as blades, and the like. 

12. Keep guards in place and in working 

order. 

13. Keep blades sharp. 

14. Do not use this Mower for edging 

operations. Debris may be forcefully 

thrown out resulting in serious 

injury. 

General Safety 

1. Read and follow all instructions in the 

tractor manual that the Mower will be 

connected to. 

2. Keep this manual in the storage tube 

that is connected to the mower, so 

that it will not get lost. 

3. Use a tractor equipped with a 

R.O.P.S. (Roll-Over Protective Structure) 

and wear the seat belt. 

4. Do not allow riders on tractor or 

mower. 


5. Clear area of stones and debris before 

mowing. 

6. Use on level lawns only. Do not use 

Mower for other than intended use. 

7. Do not install on a tractor over 40 HP. 

Do not exceed tractor PTO of 540 

RPM at the drive shaft. 

8. Do not stand between the tractor 

and the mower when it is running. 

The P.T.O. shaft spins rapidly and 

can grab loose clothing or equipment 

causing serious personal injury. Do 

not operate this product if the 

P.T.O. shield is damaged. 

9. CARBON MONOXIDE 

HAZARD 

Using an engine indoors 

CAN KILL YOU IN 

MINUTES. 

Tractor exhaust contains carbon 

monoxide. This is a poison you 

cannot see or smell. 

11. Do not operate Mower without all 

guards and shields in place. 

12. Maintain labels and nameplates on 

the Mower. These carry important 

safety information. If unreadable or 

missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools 

for a replacement. 

13. The warnings, precautions, and instructions 

discussed in this instruction 

manual cannot cover all possible conditions 

and situations that may occur. 

It must be understood by the operator 

that common sense and caution are 

factors which cannot be built into this 

product, but must be supplied by the 

operator. 

SAVE THESE 

INSTRUCTIONS. 

NEVER use inside a barn or garage, 

EVEN IF doors and windows are 

open. 

Only use OUTSIDE and far away 

from windows, doors, and vents. 

10. Professional applications must meet 

OSHA standards. 


Tractor 

Requirements 

Recommended 

Operating Speed 

SPECIFICATIONS 

P.T.O. Shaft Type 

P.T.O. Speed 

Minimum 20 HP 

Maximum 40 HP 

1.5 to 3 MPH 

1-3/8” Diameter 6-spline 

Shaft 

Maximum 540 RPM 

Driveline Size ASAE Category 3 

Product Drive Ratio 1:2.83 

Blade 

Cutting Width 57-1/4” 

23-3/8” Long blade 

sharpened to a 1/32” 

edge 

Cutting Height 3/4” to 4-3/4” 

Hitch Type 

Gearbox Lubrication 

Belt Requirements 

Category 1, 3-Point 

Hitch 

SAE 90 EP Oil 

1/2” wide V-belts 

UNPACKING 

When unpacking, check to make sure 

that the item is intact and undamaged. If 

any parts are missing or broken, please 

call Harbor Freight Tools at the number 

shown on the cover of this manual as soon 

as possible. 

Assembly 

1. Assemble the Mower on a firm, level 

surface. 

2. Connect the right Side Bar (31) to the 

Support Bar (39) using a Draw Pin 

(35) Flat Washer (36), Lock Washer 

(37) and Nut (38). The Support Bar 

has one hole punched larger than the 

other. The larger hole fastens with the 

Draw Pin. The Side Bar and Support 

Bar should be fastened to the outside 

of the lift arm bracket, as shown 

above. 

SET UP INSTRUCTIONS 

Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT 

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 

section at the beginning of this 

manual including all text under 

subheadings therein before set 

up or use of this product. 

Note: For additional information regarding 

the parts listed in the following pages, 

refer to the Assembly Diagram near 

the end of this manual. 

3. Remove the two Nuts (5) and Washers 

(3, 4) for the Wheel Assembly 

(23), but leave the Bolts (6) in place. 


Lift Arm Brace (24) 

f. the Flat Washer (3) and Lock Washer 

(4) 

11, 12, 13 

24 

31 

10 

10 

4. 

Attach both Lift Arm Braces (24) by 

sliding them over the two A-frame 

tailwheel bolts. Start the Nuts on the 

bolts, but do not tighten them. Allow 

the lift arm braces to rotate forward 

and rest against the Lift Arm Brace 

(24). 

6. 

31 

Pull the right side lift arm to the outside 

of the lift arm bracket and fasten 

with the Nut (13). 

7. Place the Sleeve (14) between the 

arms on the Hitch Bracket (16) and 

attach it to the holes at the top of the 

assembly with Bolt (7). Secure with 

Washers (3, 4) and Nut (5). 

8. Tighten all hardware. 

Attaching the Wheel. 

9. Raise and secure the back of the 

Mower. 

5. Insert Mounting Bolt (10) through 

a. the hole in the left side Lift Arm 

Brace, 

b. the lower hole in the left side lift arm, 

c. the Spacer (40), 

d. the lower holes in the right side lift 

arm, 

e. the right side lift arm brace. 

10. Attach the Wheel (20) to the Wheel 

Assembly (23) with Lock Pin (53) and 

Nut (57). 

11. Tighten all hardware. 

12. Lubricate according to directions in 

the “Maintenance and Servicing” section 

before first use. 

Add SAE 90 EP oil to the gearbox of the 

Mower before first use. See directions 

under the “Maintenance and Servicing” 

section for directions. 


Attaching the Mower to the 

Tractor 

TO PREVENT 

SERIOUS INJURY 

OR DEATH. Back the tractor 

up to the mower so that the 

lower draft arms are in 

alignment with the mower lift 

pins. Stop the engine, lock the 

brakes, place the tractor in 

park, and remove the key from 

the ignition. 

1. Read the tractor manufacturer’s directions 

for P.T.O. connections to the 

tractor. 

2. Shorten or remove the tractor drawbar 

so it will not interfere with the up 

and down movement of the mower. 

3. Connect the tractor and stabilizer 

bars to the lower lift pins. Adjust the 

top link so it will connect to the top 

holes in the A-Frame or into the holes 

in the floating top link. 

4. Slide yoke onto the tractor P.T.O. 

shaft. 

5. Move yoke back and forth until locking 

pin has engaged on the P.T.O. 

shaft groove. When attaching the 

driveline yoke to the tractor P.T.O. 

shaft; the spring activated locking 

pin must seat properly in the tractor 

P.T.O. shaft groove. 

6. Secure the P.T.O. shaft guard with the 

chains connected to the main unit. 

7. Use stabilizer bars or sway blocks 

appropriate to the tractor to prevent 

side sway of the mower. 

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 

Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT 

SAFETY INFORMATION section 

at the beginning of this manual 

including all text under 

subheadings therein before set 

up or use of this product. 

1. The gearbox of the Mower must be 

filled with a SAE 90 EP oil before 

first use of the Mower. 

2. Before operating the Mower, put on 

ANSI-approved safety goggles and 

other safety gear. Safety goggles 

and other safety gear are sold separately. 

3. Attach the Mower to the tractor. 

4. Raise the Mower and brace it up 

securely before adjusting the wheel 

for height of grass desired. Always 

brace the Mower when it is raised; 

hydraulic systems can fail causing 

the mower to fall onto the operator. 

5. Start the tractor and allow it to warm 

up and achieve idle speed. 

6. To transport the Mower, disengage 

the P.T.O. and raise it to full transport 

height before moving to the mowing 

area. 

7. Lower the Mower. Reduce engine 

speed and engage the tractor P.T.O. 

Gradually increase the engine speed 

to develop full P.T.O. speed of 540 

RPM. 

8. Enter the area to be cut with the 

cutter operating at P.T.O. speed. If 

it becomes necessary to regulate 

engine speed during operation do so 

gradually. 


9. This Mower is only recommended for 

light duty use on level lawns. Cutting 

speed will depend upon the height, 

type, and density of the grass to be 

cut. Tall or thick grass should be cut 

at low speed, while short, thin grass 

can be cut faster. Grass should be 

cut when dry; wet grass will stick to 

the Mower and clog it up. 

10. If the mower contacts a hidden obstruction, 

immediately stop operation. 

Raise the mower, turn off the tractor, 

and disconnect the drive shaft. Secure 

the mower in the upright position. 

Verify that the mower is not 

damaged before continuing. 

IN ORDER TO AVOID 

PERSONAL INJURY OR 

PROPERTY DAMAGE. When 

attempting to stop a tractor 

which does not have a live 

P.T.O, the momentum created 

by the blades of a mower can 

cause the tractor to be 

pushed forward. Do not 

operate this mower unless the 

tractor has a live or 

independent P.T.O. 

11. When finished, move the Mower to 

the intended storage area, and allow 

the P.T.O. to rotate to a stop before 

getting off the tractor. 

12. To prevent accidents, disconnect 

the mower from the tractor after use. 

Clean, then store the appliance indoors 

out of children’s reach. 


MAINTENANCE AND 

SERVICING 

Procedures not specifically 

explained in this manual 

must be performed only by a 

qualified technician. 

TO PREVENT 

SERIOUS INJURY 

FROM ACCIDENTAL 

OPERATION: 

Turn the tractor “OFF” and 

disconnect the mower before 

performing any inspection, 

maintenance, or cleaning 

procedures. 

TO PREVENT SERIOUS 

INJURY FROM TOOL 

FAILURE: 

Do not use damaged 

equipment. If abnormal noise 

or vibration occurs, have the 

problem corrected before 

further use. 

Cleaning, Maintenance, and 

Lubrication 

1. BEFORE EACH USE, inspect the 

general condition of the Mower. 

Check for loose screws, misalignment 

or binding of moving parts, cracked or 

broken parts, and any other condition 

that may affect its safe operation. 

2. AFTER USE, clean external surfaces 

of the appliance with clean cloth. 

Lubrication 

1. The Wheel axle (9), Blade Spindles 

and U-joints must be lubricated with 

white lithium grease before each use 

and after every eight hours of operation. 

Additional lubrications points 

are indicated in the following diagram. 

Filling the Gearbox 

2. THE GEARBOX OF THE MOWER 

MUST BE FILLED WITH SAE 90 EP 

OIL BEFORE FIRST USE. 

3. 

Filler 

Plug 

Test 

Plug 

Place the Mower on a flat, level surface. 

4. Place an approved container underneath 

the Test Plug. 

5. Remove the Filler and Test Plugs. 

6. Add oil into the Filler Plug until it 

begins to run out the Test Plug. 

Replace the Test Plug, clean up any 

spilled oil, and replace the Filler Plug. 

7. Check the gearbox oil level after every 

eight hours of operation. 


Wheel Lubrication 

8. The Hex Bolt (9) and Flat Plate (52) 

of the Wheel should be lubricated 

before each use and after every eight 

hours of operation with white lithium 

grease. 

before each use and after eight hours 

of operation. 

Cap (58) 

(removed) 

Driveshaft Lubrication 

Grease 

Fitting 

9. 

The U-joints at each end of the drive 

shaft must be lubricated before each 

use and after eight hours of operation. 

Blade Removal and Installation 

1. With the Mower disconnected from 

the tractor, position it so that the 

blades are exposed and secure the 

Mower in place. 

2. Prevent blade rotation by securing it 

above the blade with a wrench and 

remove the Nut (19). 

10. Periodically, the metal telescoping 

tubes inside the tractor end of 

the driveshaft must be lubricated. 

Spread white lithium grease evenly 

around the inside of the driveshaft. 

3. Have a qualified technician sharpen 

both sides of the cutting surface 

of the blade to a 1/32” blunt point. 

Sharpening both edges of the blade 

maintains blade balance. Do not 

sharpen the back edges of the blade. 

4. Replace the blade and secure with 

the nut. 

Blade Lubrication 

11. The blade can be lubricated through 

the hole on the main deck. Remove 

the Cap (58) on the deck of the 

Mower and rotate the Blade Holder 

(26) until the grease fitting is accessible. 

Both spindles must be lubricated 

REV 09l 


Troubleshooting 

Problem Possible Causes Likely Solutions 

Uneven cutting 1. Slow blade tip speed. 

1. Operate P.T.O. at 540 RPM. 

Grass discharges from 

mower unevenly or in 

bunches 

Heavy vibration 

Gearbox overheating 

P.T.O. contacts mower 

when raised 

Mower requires 

excessive power 

2. Dull blade tips. 

3. Worn blade tips. 

4. Mowing too fast. 

5. Blade loose on spindle. 

6. Conditions are too wet for mowing. 

1. Grass is too high or coarse. 

2. Grass is wet. 

1. Blade speed too fast. 

2. Bent or broken blade. 

3. Unbalanced blade. 

4. Debris caught on blade. 

1. Lubricant is low. 

2. Excessive material build-up around 

gearbox. 

1. Raising mower too high. 

2. Incorrect adjustment of tractor top 

link. 

1. Cutting too quickly. 

2. Hitting ground. 

3. Worn blades. 

4. Tractor too small. 

5. Grass wet. 

2. Sharpen blades. 

3. Replace blades. 

4. Slow down. 

5. Tighten blade nut. 

6. Allow grass to dry before mowing. 

1. Slow the tractor’s speed. Raise 

blade for first pass and lower for 

second pass. Try mowing at a 90° 

angle to the first cut. 


1. Do not exceed 540 RPM P.T.O. 

2. Replace blade. 

3. Grind blade uniformly. 

4. Stop operation, disconnect mower, 

and clean blade. 

1. Fill gearbox. 

2. Clean gearbox. 

1. Do not raise mower as high. 

2. Adjust top link or lift stops. 

1. Slow tractor down. 

2. Raise mower deck. 

3. Sharpen or replace blades. 

4. Use at least a 20 HP tractor. 


Follow all safety precautions whenever diagnosing or servicing the 

appliance. Disconnect power supply before service. 

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY 

THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR HAS PROVIDED THE PARTS LIST AND ASSEMBLY 

DIAGRAM IN THIS MANUAL AS A REFERENCE TOOL ONLY. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR 

DISTRIBUTOR MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND TO THE BUYER THAT 

HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE PRODUCT, OR THAT HE OR SHE IS 

QUALIFIED TO REPLACE ANY PARTS OF THE PRODUCT. IN FACT, THE MANUFACTURER AND/ 

OR DISTRIBUTOR EXPRESSLY STATES THAT ALL REPAIRS AND PARTS REPLACEMENTS SHOULD 

BE UNDERTAKEN BY CERTIFIED AND LICENSED TECHNICIANS, AND NOT BY THE BUYER. THE 

BUYER ASSUMES ALL RISK AND LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER REPAIRS TO THE 

ORIGINAL PRODUCT OR REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO, OR ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER 

INSTALLATION OF REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO. 


PARTS LIST 

Part Description Qty 

1 Cotter Pin 5x50 1 

2 Hex Head Bolt M16x45 10 

3 Flat Washer 14 

4 Lock Washer 14 

5 Hex Nut M16 14 

6 Hex Head Bolt M16x70 2 

7 Bolt M16x130 1 

8 Hex Nut M16 1 

9 Hex Bolt M24x180 1 

10 Mounting Bolt M14x130 1 



13 Nut M14 1 

14 Sleeve 1 

15 U-Bracket 1 

16 Hitch Bracket 1 

17 Hex Nut 2 


19 Nut M24 1 

20 Tail Wheel 1 

21 Deck 1 


23 Wheel Assembly 1 

24 Lift Arm Brace 2 

25 Gear Box 1 

26 Blade Holder 1 

27 Adjusting Bar 1 

28 Blade 2 

29 Bolt 2 

30 Wheel Yoke 1 

31 Side Bar 2 

PARTS LIST 

Part Description Qty 

32 P.T.O. 1 

33 Hairpin 1 

34 Pin 1 

35 Draw Pin 2 



38 Nut M22 2 

39 Support Bar 2 

40 Sleeve 1 


42 Carriage Bolt M12x30 4 

43 Link Plate 1 



46 Nut M12 4 

47 Chain 24 

48 Chain Plate 1 

49 Bolt M6x25 2 

50 Chain Rod 1 

51 Lock Nut M6 2 

52 Flat Plate 1 

53 Lock Pin 1 

54 Bolt M10x35 2 



57 Nut 2 

58 Cap 1 


60 Bolt M12x85 1 

61 Lock Nut M12 1 

Record Product’s Serial Number Here: 

Note: If product has no serial number, record month and year of purchase instead. 

Note: Some parts are listed and shown for illustration purposes only, and are not available 

individually as replacement parts. 


ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM 


90 Day Warranty 

Harbor Freight Tools Co. makes every effort to assure that its products meet high quality 

and durability standards, and warrants to the original purchaser that this product is free 

from defects in materials and workmanship for the period of 90 days from the date of 

purchase. This warranty does not apply to damage due directly or indirectly, to misuse, 

abuse, negligence or accidents, repairs or alterations outside our facilities, criminal 

activity, improper installation, normal wear and tear, or to lack of maintenance. We 

shall in no event be liable for death, injuries to persons or property, or for incidental, 

contingent, special or consequential damages arising from the use of our product. 

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential 

damages, so the above limitation of exclusion may not apply to you. THIS WARRANTY 

IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, 

INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS. 

To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned to us with 

transportation charges prepaid. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the 

complaint must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection verifies the defect, we 

will either repair or replace the product at our election or we may elect to refund the 

purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly provide you with a replacement. We will 

return repaired products at our expense, but if we determine there is no defect, or that 

the defect resulted from causes not within the scope of our warranty, then you must 

bear the cost of returning the product. 

This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which 

vary from state to state. 

3491 Mission Oaks Blvd. • PO Box 6009 • Camarillo, CA 93011 • (800) 444-3353

5' 3-POINT ROUGH CUT MOWER - Harbor Freight Tools

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