Operator's Manual

44
1. Stop the engine, set the parking brake, remove the key,
and disconnect the spark plug wire(s) from the spark
plug(s).
2. Remove the PTO drive belt; refer to Replacing the PTO
Drive Belt, page 44.
3. Loosen the two nuts securing the idler plate and move
the idler arm to relieve the belt tension on the idler
pulley; then remove the worn deck belt (Fig. 62).
4. Install the new deck belt around the spindle pulleys, belt
guide, the idler pulley, and in the lower groove of the
center spindle pulley (Fig. 62).
2
1
3
4
m–4312
Figure 62
Top View
1. Deck belt
2. Idler arm
3. Idler nuts
4. Idler adjusting nut
5. Using a socket and torque wrench, rotate the idler
adjusting nut until the torque is 25–30 ft.-lb.
(34–41 N⋅m). Tighten the two nuts.
6. Install the PTO drive belt; refer to Replacing the PTO
Drive Belt, page 44.
Replacing the PTO Drive Belt
Squealing when the belt is rotating, blades slipping when
cutting grass, frayed belt edges, burn marks, and cracks are
signs of a worn drive belt. Replace the PTO drive belt if
any of these conditions are evident.
1. Stop the engine, set the parking brake, remove the key,
and disconnect the spark plug wire(s) from the spark
plug(s).
2. Remove the clutch retaining strap from the machine
frame and unplug the clutch terminal from the wire
harness (Fig. 63).
3. Remove the PTO drive belt from the rear idler arm and
front idler pulley assembly. Remove the PTO drive belt
(Fig. 63).
4. Place the new drive belt over the clutch, around the rear
idler pulley, installed into the rear idler arm assembly,
installed into the front idler pulley assembly, and onto
the top center pulley (Fig. 63).
Important Check the amount of twist in the belt
between the pulleys. Make sure that it is only what is
specified in Figure 63.
5. Install the clutch retaining strap and plug the clutch
terminal into the main wire harness (Fig. 63).
1
4
m–4451
M–4373
3
2
5
7
6
6
Figure 63
1. Clutch
2. Clutch retaining strap
3. Clutch terminal
4. PTO belt
5. Machine frame
6. 1/4 inch (6 mm) belt twist
7. 1/8 inch (3 mm) belt twist
6. Check the belt tension. The center bolt of the spring
loaded idler must be between the two alignment holes in
the left support plate (Fig. 64).
Note: Check the position of the center bolt in the low
height of cut setting. The center bolt must be at or below
the top alignment hole. Check the position of the center
bolt in the high height of cut setting. The center bolt must
be at or above the lower adjustment hole (Fig. 64).
1
2
M–4417
Figure 64
1. Center bolt, spring loaded
idler
2. Alignment hole
7. If an adjustment is required, loosen the fixed idler on
the right support plate and move it up or down in the
adjustment slot (Fig. 65). To relieve the belt tension, lift
up on the spring loaded idler.