Bad Boy ZT 4800 48? 725cc Kohler, Owner'S Service Manual, Page: 24 / 48

The large turn buckles on the front of the deck only affect
the pitch of the deck or the level from front to back.
The deck spring tension is critical. If the tension is too high,
premature failure of the deck belt and blade spindles can
occur. If the tension is too low, the belt can ‘jump off’ or slip
on the pulleys. This results in reduced cut quality and early
belt failure. With the deck up, the spring coil gap should be
about .025˝ - .030˝ (about the thickness of a credit card).
Spring tension adjustments can be made by sliding the bolt
shown above forward or backward in the slot of the deck.
Belt tension should be 50- 55 lbs with the deck at its highest
setting.
The blade in the foreground (see photo) was utilized long
after replacement was required. In addition to a decline
in cut quality, failure to replace a worn or damaged blade
creates a major safety hazard. Bad Boy recommends that
blade sharpening be performed by a professional.
To change blades, it may be easier to use a piece of wood to
keep the blade from turning so that the bolt can be loosened.
Bolts used have right-handed threads. Re-torque the blade
bolts to 90-110 lbs. The blade spindles contain a sealed
ball bearing inside the top and bottom of the spindle. The
bearings are replaceable for a more cost effective repair.
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