Section 4 - ADJUSTMENTS & REPAIR
WARNING
DO NOT attempt any adjustments, maintenance, service or repairs with the engine running. STOP engine. STOP blades. Engage parking brake. Remove key. Remove spark plug wire from spark plug and secure away from plug. Engine and components are hot. Avoid serious burns by allowing all parts to cool before working on machine.
4.3MOWER BLADE DRIVE BELTS – ADJUSTMENT / REPLACEMENT (continued from previous page)
2.Remove cover to gain access to the belt, idler and control cable area. The cover is retained to the seat pedestal with four screws. See Figure 3.4.
3.Visually inspect condition of belt. If worn or damaged, replace. Refer to Section “ENGINE TO DECK BELT REPLACEMENT” for instructions.
4.With engine stopped, move blade control lever to the ON position. The control cable spring should extend between 3/8” & 1/2”. See Figure 3.5. If spring extension is less than 1/4”, adjustment is required.
CONTROL CABLE SPRING EXTENSION RANGE 3/8” & 1/2”
BELT GUIDES
NOTE: POSITION BELT GUIDES 1/8” FROM BELT WITH BLADE CONTROL ON (ENGINE OFF).
FIGURE 4.3
5.The threaded fitting on the end of the control cable provides fine tension adjustments. See Figure 4.4. Loosen jam nuts and turn nuts until spring extension falls in the range of 3/8" to 1/2". Tighten nuts securely. Move blade control lever to the OFF position. Install cover (refer to note below) and tighten screws securely.
NOTE: If the threaded fitting adjustment did not produce proper spring extension, leave cover off and proceed to next step.
CONTROL CABLE TENSION
ADJUSTMENT. MOVE NUTS.
INCREASEDECREASE
TENSIONTENSION
FIGURE 4.4
6.If step 5 did not produce the correct spring extension, the idler pulley will require repositioning. The idler arm has a series of 4 holes. See Figure 4.5. The #1 position produces the highest belt tension, #4 the lowest. Remove the idler pulley – noting the mounting hole location prior to removing bolt.
#1 - HIGHEST BELT TENSION
#4 - LOWEST TENSION
FIGURE 4.5
7.Reposition the idler pulley one hole at a time in the desired direction (higher tension or lower tension). Install bolt and nut. Tighten securely.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT over tension belt. Excessive tension will adversely affect belt drive function and can cause damage.
8.Check belt tension. Repeat step 4. Use threaded fitting on cable for fine adjustment (refer to step 5). DO NOT exceed 1/2” spring extension.
NOTE: The rear deck brackets are slotted where they attach to the deck. This provides adjustment to accommodate variations in belt length. Loosen nuts
(4)and slide deck forward to increase engine to deck belt tension.
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