How to Install the Storage Tray Kit on a John Deere Z735M

August 27, 2024

Zero-Turn Mowers

Attachments

Shop Part No. BUC10774

Installing a storage tray kit on your John Deere Z735M mower can greatly increase your convenience, allowing you to easily carry extra tools, gas cans, or other equipment as you work. In this guide, I’ll take you through the process of getting this handy tray installed and ready for action.

In this kit:

Storage tray
2 mounting brackets
Allen head screws
Nylon lock nuts
Washers
Impact drill (optional)

Tools needed:

13mm wrench and socket
10mm wrench
Ratchet wrench
5/32 Allen wrench
Flathead screwdriver
Impact drill (optional)

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Install Brackets on ROPS

The first step is to install the brackets that come with the kit to the ROPS (Roll Over Protection System) on your Z735M mower. Before we get into that, there are a couple of prep items to take care of. The ROPS has two bolt holes—one just below the knuckle and another further down. We’ll start by accessing the bolt holes.

On the left-hand side, you’ll need to remove the battery cover to access the bolt hole. On the right-hand side, you’ll notice the top bolt hole is clear, but the bottom hole is blocked by a bolt securing the instrument panel and cup holder. You’ll need to remove the cup holder by popping out the three clips that hold it in place. Using a flathead screwdriver, carefully remove the poppers, then set the cup holder aside

Once the cup holder is removed, use your 13mm wrench to take out the bolt that’s blocking the hole. Don’t lose the washer—it will be reused when attaching the bracket. With that bolt removed, grab one of the brackets from your kit. This bracket mounts to the side of the ROPS with the smaller holes facing upward for the tray and the larger holes against the ROPS itself.

Start by aligning the bracket on the right-hand side of the ROPS. Insert the bottom bolt through the bracket and ROPS, making sure the washer is reused in this step, and then hand-tighten a new nut on the opposite side. Move to the top bolt and insert it as well, tightening the nut by hand. Once both bolts are in place, use your tools to fully tighten everything down. Now, reinstall the cup holder by placing the clips back in place. Make sure the notches line up with the clip’s grooves before locking them in.

Now, repeat this exact process on the left-hand side of the mower. Install the bracket by inserting the bottom bolt first, securing it with a nut, and then insert the top bolt. Tighten everything down once both bolts are properly placed. On the left-hand side, be sure to re-install the battery cover.

Attach Storage Tray to Brackets

With both brackets securely attached to the ROPS, it’s time to install the storage tray. Place the tray on top of the brackets. You should see four aligned bolt holes—one in each corner of the tray. Insert the Allen head screws through the holes, followed by a washer on each. Then, from underneath the tray, attach a nylon lock nut to each screw.

Using your 5/32 Allen wrench and a 10mm wrench OR your impact drill, tighten down each of the screws and nuts. Be mindful not to overtighten—this is a poly tray, and over-tightening can damage the material. Ensure that everything is snug, so the tray won’t move or shift during use.