MAINTENANCE
5. Loosen the nut securing the belt guide. Note
the position of the belt guide for reinstallation.
6. Push inward on the idler arm to release the
tension on the belt.
7. Carefully lift the belt over the top of the cutter
housing pulleys and remove belt from the
deck.
Deck Belt Installation
NOTE: For ease in installing the deck belt, refer to
the routing decal on the top of the deck.
1. Wind the deck belt around the electric clutch
pulley located on the engine shaft.
2. Route the belt forward and up onto the deck.
3. Position the belt around spring loaded idler
pulley.
4. Wind the belt around the stationary idler pulley
and the mandrel housings.
5. Push inward on the idler arm and carefully put
the belt over the stationary idler pulley. When
the belt is correctly routed, slowly release the
idler arm to tension the belt.
6. Double check the belt routing to make sure it
matches the routing decal, and the belt does
not have twists.
7. Tighten the belt guide and replace belt shields
on both mandrel housings and secure with
fasteners.
Adjusting the Mower Deck
Leveling deck
Adjust the deck while the mower is on a level
surface. Make sure the tires are inflated to
the correct pressure. See Technical Data /
Transmission. If tires are under or over inflated,
the deck cannot be correctly adjusted. Raise the
deck to the highest (transport) position. The deck
must be adjusted slightly higher in the rear.
NOTE: To insure the precision of the leveling
procedure, the mower deck drive belt must be
installed before leveling the deck.
24
1. Wear heavy gloves. Turn each outer blade tip
to align with the deck side-to-side.
2. Measure from the floor surface up to the
bottom of the blade tip on the discharge side
of the mower deck. Record the measurement.
3. Move to the opposite side, check that
measurement is the same. If adjustment is
required—with a 3/4" or adjustable wrench,
turn the lift link adjustment nuts on either
side counter clockwise to lower or clockwise
to raise. Adjust until both measurements are
equal.
4. Turn either blade to align with the deck front-
to-rear. If the front blade tip does not measure
1/8" to 1/2" (3.175 mm to .500 mm) higher in
the rear—with a 5/8" or adjustable wrench,
turn the nuts on the front suspension linkage.
Clockwise raises the front of the mower,
counter clockwise will lower the front. Adjust
nuts until rear of mower deck is positioned
level to 1/8" (3.175 mm) higher in the rear
than the side-to-side measurement.