Craftsman Comprehensive Guide to Mower Drive Belt Replacement and Belt Diagrams

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Figure 42. Orient Blades Front-to-Back

Front To Back Leveling

If the cut is uneven, the mower may need leveling.

Unequal or improper tire pressure may also cause an uneven cut. See CHECK TIRE PRESSURE.

,Turn the blades front-to-back as shown in Figure 42. Measure the distance from the ground to front tip of center blade, and from ground to rear tips of left hand and right hand blades (Figure 42). Front tips should be 1/8"-1/4" (3-6 mm) higher than rear tips. If not, pro- ceed to Step 2.

,The front hitch rod (A, Figure 43) is used to adjust front-to-back leveling. To raise or lower the front of the mower deck, loosen the two rear jam nuts (B) on both sides of the front hitch rod (A). Adjust the front jam nuts (C) on both sides of the front hitch rod (A) to adjust the mower deck level. When adjusted correctly, tighten the rear jam nuts (B) to lock the front hitch rod in place.

MOWER BELT REPLACEMENT

,Park the rider on a level surface. Disengage the PTO, turn off the engine and set the ground speed control levers to PARK. Remove the key.

,Remove belt covers.

3.Insert ratchet into 3/8" (9.5 mm) square hole in idler

pulley arm (A, Figure 44) and pull to release belt ten- sion.

4.Remove the mower drive belt (B) from the engine drive pulley (C).

5.Remove the belt from the remaining deck pulleys.

NOTE: It is not necessary to remove the mower deck to replace the belt,

6.Install the new mower belt as shown in Figure 44.

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Figure 43. Front-to-Back Leveling

A. Front Hitch Rod

B. Rear Jam Nut

C. Front Jam Nut

Figure 44. Mower Belt Routing

A. Idler Pulley Arm

B. Mower Belt

C. Engine Drive Pulley

D. Fixed Idler Pulley (2)

E. Arbor Drive Pulley (3)

F. Adjustable Tension Idler Pulley

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