MTD 760-779, 760, 779 Changing the Deck Belt & PTO Belt, Changing the Transmission Drive Belts

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Maintaining

Your Lawn

Tractor

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Figure 26

To change or replace the deck belt and PTO belt on your tractor, proceed as follows:

1.Lower the deck by moving the deck lift lever into the bottom notch on the right fender.

2.Remove the belt guards by removing the self-tapping screws that fasten them to the deck.

3.Remove the belt keeper rod from around the engine pulley.

4.Insert a 3/8”-drive ratchet wrench (set to loosen) into the square hole found in the idler bracket on the left side of the deck’s surface. See Figure 26.

5.Grasp the ratchet’s handle and pivot it toward the front of the tractor to relieve tension on the belt.

6.With belt tension relieved, carefully remove the belt from around the left-hand spindle pulley.

WARNING

Be sure to shut the engine off, remove ig- nition key, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting before removing the belt(s).

Avoid the possibility of a pinching injury. Do not place your fingers on the idler spring or between the belt and a pulley while removing the belt.

Changing the Deck Belt & PTO Belt

WARNING: Be sure to shut the engine off, remove ignition key, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting before removing the belt(s).

All belts on your tractor are subject to wear and should be replaced if any signs of wear are present.

IMPORTANT: The V-belts found on your tractor are specially designed to engage and disengage safely. A substitute (non-OEM) V-belt can be dangerous by not disengaging completely. For a proper working machine, use factory approved belts.

IMPORTANT: Carefully allow the ratchet to pivot rearward before removing it from the square hole.

WARNING: Avoid the possibility of a pinching injury. Do not place your fingers on the idler spring or between the belt and a pulley while removing the belt.

7.Remove the deck belt from around all pulleys, including the deck idler pulley.

8.Route the new belts as shown in and Figure 27 and 28.

9.Remount the belt guards removed earlier.

Changing the Transmission Drive Belts

NOTE: Several components must be removed and special tools (i.e. air/impact wrench) in order to change the tractor’s drive belts. See an authorized MTD Service Dealer to have your drive belts replaced or phone Customer Support as instructed on page 2 for information on ordering a Service Manual.

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