How to Install Boarding Step Kit on Z320R Zero Turn Mower

Part No. BUC11478

Are you someone who struggles with mobility issues or just wants a little extra help when getting onto your John Deere riding lawnmower? Installing a boarding step kit may be the solution you need.

In this article, we'll guide you through the process of mounting a boarding step kit on your John Deere riding lawnmower. This attachment will have you getting on and off your mower with ease.

In this kit:

• Mounting bracket
• Mower step
• 2 carriage-head bolts
• 2 nuts and washers
• 4 regular hex-type bolts with locking nuts
   

Tools needed:

• Ratchet
• 12-mm socket
• 15-mm wrench and socket
   

Installation

To begin the installation, you'll need to remove the foot platform on the left-hand side of your mower. This will provide you with access to the Caster wheel assembly.
 

Next, remove the nuts from the bottom of the bolts holding the frame to the Caster wheel assembly using a 13mm socket, as seen here. Once the nuts are off, you can remove the bolts.

Remove the bolt closest to the mower frame first, and be prepared for the frame to shift a bit once it is removed. Due to the frameshift, you will need a bit of leverage to remove the second bolt. To achieve this, push forward on the caster frame, as shown, while keeping one foot by the rear tire to prevent it from rolling forward. Then, while pushing forward with one hand, use the other to reach underneath the bolt and push up until it pops out of place.
 

Now, it's time to secure the mounting bracket for the step kit to the frame. Place the bracket onto the frame so that its holes line up with the square holes that were left when you removed the bolts in the previous step. Now use the new bolts and nuts included in the step kit to secure it.

After the mounting bracket is in place, align the round holes along the side of the step with the holes on the arms of the bracket. Then, insert the four bolts included in the kit through the holes on the step and bracket and tighten the nuts onto the bolts. Use a ratchet with a 15-mm socket to secure the bolts to the step, as shown here.
 

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And that’s it! You have now successfully installed a Boarding Step Kit onto your John Deere Z320R Zero-Turn Mower! If you have questions about any of the steps outlined above or are just more of a visual learner, head over to our YouTube channel and watch our step-by-step video (also attached below)! Leave a comment or question and receive a personal reply from Brent, our resident John Deere expert. Be sure to subscribe!