Accelerator Industries Custom catcher owner’s manual.

These are general instructions which cover most mower installation situations.

Below find the instructions for both bracketless and models using brackets. Many catchers have supplemental instructions to specifically explain more difficult installations. Please check on your mower model page for these supplements, or click to the Mounting Instructions page to find a comprehensive listing of all instructions available online.

This catcher is intended for use by professional landscape personnel who have been trained in proper safety techniques and are physically capable of lifting heavy objects. READ THIS ENTIRE MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL OR USE THE CATCHER. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.

Bracketless Model Installation

If you have a model with a mounting bracket refer to the bracket mounting instructions further down this page.

If you have a bracket less model and your mower does not have a pre drilled hole where our stainless post would go, you will have to drill one. Line up the catcher by placing it against the mower, then make a mark for drilling Be sure the catcher will have adequate ground elevation yet is low enough so no debris will undershoot the catcher. Drill at the mark with a 5/8 Bit. If your mower does not have a rim to hook the catcher to, use 1/4 inch thick flat bar or angle with 1/4 wall to create a rim. If the mower does not have a standard 5 inch deep deck, you can vary the height of the steel to compensate. If the catcher does not cover the opening fully (due to deck curvature or a too large opening) , you will need to close any gaps. Use flat 1/4 inch thick steel cut to size. If you have had to modify you deck in this manner, be sure the deflector shield can still fully deploy. If it cannot, you will need to remount it by cutting and re-welding the mounting posts. Do this by placing the deflector shield in the proper deployed position after the mounting posts have been cut, then re weld them to the new position. You may need some extra steel bar stock to do this. before starting any of these modifications, be sure you will be able to use the deflector shield properly. If you think your mower cannot be modified in such a way that this is possible, do not use our catcher. Return it to the seller and use another bagging system.

Optimizing fit and performance:

For the best performance, the catcher needs to be mounted so that the bottom of the catcher (where it meets the deck) is 1/4 to 1/2 inch below the bottom of the mower blade. This will give the best bagging performance without the catcher dragging on the ground. Be sure the catcher is below the blade all along the opening to the mower deck to avoid any undershoot of material. On our bracket less models (GCEX,GCDN,GCHN, GCTOSU and their XL versions) the catcher can be lowered by grinding down the metal lip the catcher hooks over. each 1/4 inch of steel that is removed will lower the rear of the catcher by approx. 1.5 inches. You can also re-drill the hole that the stainless post fits through to lower or raise the front of the catcher. If you have a model requiring a bracket, it can be raised by putting a steel or aluminum shim under the bracket. Be sure the shim does not create an open area that debris can come through. The shim should come all the way to the catcher opening along the entire right edge of the deck to prevent this. These models cannot be lowered (we made them low enough that this should not be required). You will need longer bolts to attach the bracket if you use a shim.
If you need technical assistance, call us at 1-800-984-9410 (we are on pacific time).

FOR THE BEST BAGGING PERFORMANCE, USE A HIGH LIFT BLADE ON THE BAGGER SIDE ONLY.

*** It is very important to make sure your catcher does not drag on the ground.
constant dragging will wear down the aluminum, voiding the warranty *** Removing and emptying the catcher:
A). Turn engine off. Be sure blade has stopped rotating before proceeding to step B.
B) While the catcher is still mounted on the mower, lift the pin on the back of the catcher out.
C) Remove the catcher from the mower by lifting the back end and pulling the catcher out. Use proper lifting techniques to avoid back injury. Be sure you have secure footing before attempting to lift the bag.
D) Empty the catcher by tipping it towards the back until the grass falls out.
E) put the catcher back on the mower.
F) Secure the pin.
-- HEAVY LIFTING --
If the catcher becomes too full for you to carry, prop the door open and empty some of the debris using a hoe or rake. DON’T OVERFILL ESPECIALLY WITH WET GRASS. Some of our catcher models are quite large and become very heavy when full. While the catcher can take the heavy load, your body may not be able to. USE COMMON SENSE.

The picture below is the new 2005 bracket. If you have this bracket go to: 2005 bracket instructions	The picture below shows the 2004 and earlier bracket. If you have this bracket see the instructions below.

For the new 2005 Bracket Instructions click here

Accelerator Industries Bracket Installation instructions.- 2004 and earlier brackets.

Before you start you will need these tools:
• A drill with 5/16 bit • two 1/2 inch wrenches
• a C clamp or vise grip • a marking pen

It is also helpful if there is an extra person available to hold the catcher in place while the deck is marked for mounting.

1) Set the bracket on the mower in such a way that when the catcher is mounted in the bracket, the catcher’s opening lines up with the opening in the deck. Be sure the catcher fully covers the opening and that all 4 corners of the catcher mouth are over solid metal, not over “empty space” (this could cause the catcher to sag under the deck, creating a very hazardous situation). Also be sure the back of the bag is not touching the back tire.
2) Once you are satisfied with the positioning of the catcher, it’s time to mark the position of the bracket on the deck of the mower with the marking pen. While the bracket is in place use your marker to outline the bracket so that when you take the bag off, you will know where to place the bracket for drilling. You could also have the bracket held firmly in place while the catcher is lifted carefully out of the bracket.
3) Clamp the bracket in place with a C clamp or vise grip, taking care that the bracket is in the exact same place that it was when the catcher was mounted properly.
4) Drill 2 holes through both the bracket and the deck. Be sure the holes are at least 3 inches apart. If you already have holes drilled in the deck from a previous catcher mounting, mark the underside of the bracket and drill the bracket separately (this is the reason we do not factory drill the brackets) If the old holes don't allow for proper mounting, drill new ones.
5) Use the stainless steel nuts and bolts provided to secure the bracket to the deck. Fasten them with the nuts inside the deck.
6) If the deflector shield is in the way (in it’s retracted position) you will need to remove it during the times you are using the catcher. You must remount the deflector shield when you are not using the catcher.

YOU MUST HAVE EITHER THE CATCHER OR DEFLECTOR SHIELD IN PLACE EVERY TIME YOU MOW. IF THE BRACKET PREVENTS THE DEFLECTOR SHIELD FROM DEPLOYING TO IT’S PROPER POSITION, YOU MUST REMOVE THE BRACKET FROM THE MOWER WHEN YOU ARE NOT USING THE CATCHER.