Not for
Reproduction
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Maintenance

Mower Belt Replacement

1. Park the tractor on a smooth, level surface such
as a concrete floor. Disengage the PTO, engage
the parking brake, turn off the engine, and remove
the ignition key.
2. Lower the mower deck to its lowest cutting
position and remove the mower deck guards.
3. Using a 1/2” breaker bar, place the square end in
the square hole located in the end of the idler arm
(A, Figures 41). Carefully rotate the breaker bar
CLOCKWISE, which will relieve the tension on the
belt exerted from the idler arm.
4. Slide the drive belt over the edge of the stationary
idler pulley (B). Carefully release the tension on
the breaker bar.
5. Remove the old belt and replace with a new one.
Make sure the V-side of the belt runs in the pulley
grooves.
6. Install the drive belt on the PTO pulley, the spindle
pulleys and all idler pulleys except the stationary
pulley (B, Figure 41). Carefully rotate the breaker
NOTICE
To avoid damaging belts, DO NOT PRY BELTS
OVER PULLEYS.
Figure 41. Mower PTO Belt
A. Idler Arm
B. Stationary Idler Pulley
C. Deck Drive Belt
D. Spindle Pulley
B
C
D
A
48” Model
AAA
Figure 40. Measuring the Blade Height
to rest on the 2 x 4’s and 1/4” spacers. Slide the
chains down in the slots until the chains are tight
and tighten the nuts. See Figure 39.
6. Remove all 2 x 4 blocks and spacers from under
the mower deck.
7. See Figure 40. Position the outside mower blades
so they face front-to-back.
8. Measure the front tip of the blade from the cutting
edge to the ground. Measure the rear tip of the
blade from the cutting edge to the ground. The
front measurement should be 4” (10,2 cm), the
rear measurement should be 4-1/4” (10,8 cm).
Repeat this process for the other side of the
machine.
WARNING
Use extreme caution when rotating the idler
arm with the breaker bar, due to the increased
tension in the spring as the idler arm is being
rotated. Injury may result if the breaker bar is
prematurely released while the spring is under
tension.
CAUTION
Avoid injury! Mower blades are sharp.
Always wear gloves when handling blades or
working near blades.