Troy-Bilt 52066, 52070 Inspecting and Replacing the Drive Belt, Belt Inspection, Belt Replacement

WARNING

Before inspecting, cleaning or servicing the machine, shut off engine, wait for all moving parts to come to a complete stop, disconnect spark plug wire and move wire away from spark plug. Remove ignition key on electric start models.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious personal injury or property damage.

INSPECTING AND REPLACING THE DRIVE BELT

The drive belt can be inspected or replaced from beneath the machine deck. Note that the belt should not require inspection for many hours of operation.

Belt Inspection

Stop the engine and let all moving parts stop. Disconnect the spark plug wire and move it away from the spark plug. Re- move the ignition key on electric start models.

1.For convenience, we recommend that you place the unit on a raised platform for easier access to the underside of the deck.

2.Remove the rubber debris flap (A, Figure 5-3) by removing one of the small E-rings (B) at the ends of the retainer rod and then sliding the retainer rod out.

3.Remove the rear belt cover by using a 1/2" wrench to remove the screw (C, Figure 5-3) in the rear belt cover. Examine the belt. Feed it around the rear (engine) pulley so the entire belt can be examined. If cracks or other damage are noted, a new belt is needed. Otherwise, clean and reinstall the belt cover and debris flap.

Belt Replacement

4.Remove the spindle head by taking off the hex nut (A, Figure 5-4) at the bottom of the spindle, using a 3/4" socket wrench. (While loosening the nut, prevent the spin- dle head from turning by inserting a screwdriver or rod into hole B, Figure 5-5, at the top-front of the deck. Be sure to align one of four holes in the pulley with the deck hole first.)

5.With a 1/2" wrench, remove the screw (D, Fig. 5-3) from the front belt cover- spindle mounting plate. Then remove the other four screws securing the belt cover- spindle mounting plate (E, F, G and H, Fig. 5-3). Carefully lower the drive housing and the belt cover-spindle mounting plate. Note precisely how the belt is routed along the pulleys. (See Figure 5-6.) Slip the belt off the rear pulley (H, Figure 5-6), then off the other pulleys. NOTE: The nut on the idler arm V-pulley must be removed in order to take off the belt (the screw may need to be held with an Allen wrench). Install the new belt along the exact same path.

6.Clean parts of all debris. Replace the lower drive shaft housing and front belt cover-spindle mounting plate, the spindle head, the wear cup, the rear belt cover, and the debris flap.

7.Check for correct belt tension. See

“Adjusting Trimmer Head Engagement” in this Section.