Deck Installation

To install the mower deck, proceed as follows:

1.While holding the deck front hanger rod upward, carefully slide the deck underneath the right side of the tractor.

2.While still holding the front hanger rod, slide the deck forward until the front hanger rod can be lowered into the slots of the front deck bracket.

3.Lower the front hanger rod into the slots of the front deck bracket, then slide the deck rearward.

4.Maneuver the deck so that the slots in the two rear deck hanger brackets approximately align with the deck lift arms of the tractor. Refer to Fig. 7-5.

5.Use the tractor deck lift handle to lower the deck lift arms into the slots of the rear deck hanger brackets.

6.Pull the deck support pins outward and maneuver the deck as necessary to align the holes in the deck lift arms with the pins. Refer to Fig. 7-5.

7.When aligned, push each pin fully inward through the lift arms to secure the arms in the rear hanger bracket slots.

8.Make certain the ‘V’ belt is in the spindle pulleys on the deck; then route the belt rearward beneath the tractor frame, above the transmission tube(s), to the PTO pulley on the bottom of the engine.

9.Install the ‘V’ belt onto the PTO pulley using one of the following two methods.

Warning! The muffler at the rear of the tractor may be extremely hot, and could cause serious burns. Use extreme caution when near the muffler. Allow the muffler to fully cool before installing the belt.

Using the Idler Pulley to Tension the Belt.

1.Using the deck lift handle, raise the deck to the position that provides the most horizontal run of the belt between the deck idler pulleys and the PTO pulley on the bottom of the engine.

2.Install the belt in the PTO pulley on the bottom of the engine.

3.Route the backside of the belt around the fixed idler pulley of the deck. Refer to Fig. 7-3.

4.Working from the middle of the tractor, pivot the idler bracket/movable pulley rearward against the spring tension and slide the backside of the belt onto the movable idler pulley. Refer to Fig. 7-3.

Rolling the Belt into the PTO Pulley.

1.Using the deck lift handle, raise the deck to the position that provides the most horizontal run of the belt between the deck idler pulleys and the PTO pulley on the bottom of the engine.

2.Make certain the belt is in the spindle pulleys of the deck, and that the backside of the belt is against both the fixed and movable idler pulleys. Refer to Fig. 7-3.

3.Sitting behind the tractor, facing forward, make certain the belt is not twisted; then reach beneath the tractor to grasp the belt and pull it toward the PTO pulley.

Warning! Use caution to avoid pinching your fingers when rolling the belt onto the PTO pulley.

4.Pull the right side of the belt rearward and place the narrow V side of the belt into the PTO pulley. See Fig. 7-4.

5.While holding the belt and pulley together, rotate the pulley to the left (See Fig. 7-4). Continue holding and rotating the pulley and belt until the belt is fully rolled into the PTO pulley.

Replacing the Deck Drive Belt

1.Remove the deck from beneath the tractor, (refer to Deck

Removal on page 29).

2.Remove the hex washer screws securing the belt covers to the deck and remove the belt from the spindle pulleys.

Refer to Fig. 7-6.

 

Belt Cover

 

 

Belt

Belt Cover

Hex

 

Washer

Spindle

Hex

Screw

 

Pulleys

Washer

 

 

Screw

Figure 7-6

3.Install the new belt around the spindle pulleys as shown in

Fig. 7-6 and reinstall the belt covers.

4.Route the belt rearward between the two idler pulleys and reinstall the deck following the instructions in Deck Installation.

Mower Blade Care

Warning! Before performing any maintenance, place the PTO switch in the “OFF” position, engage the parking brake lever, turn the ignition key to the “OFF” position and remove the key from the switch. Protect your hands by using heavy gloves when handling the blades. When servicing the mower deck, be careful not to cut yourself on the sharpened blades.

The cutting blades must be kept sharp at all times. Sharpen the cutting edges of the blades evenly so that the blades remain balanced and the same angle of sharpness is maintained.

If the cutting edge of a blade has already been sharpened many times, or if any metal separation is present, it is recommended that new blades be installed. New blades are available at your authorized dealer.

The blades may be removed as follows.

1.Remove the deck from beneath the tractor, (refer to Deck

Removal on page 29) then gently flip the deck over to expose its underside.

30Section 7— Service