Masport ROTARY MOWER, Servicing Manual, Page: 7 / 20

7
Replacing Drive Belts on Rear Wheel
Drive Models (NOT Rotarola)
Important: All ‘V’ belts are not created equal! It is essential for
correct fit and for satisfactory service life, that only the belt
supplied by the mower manufacturer be used as a replacement.
Other belts, even though they have the same length markings,
may not fit correctly, and they may have a greatly reduced
service life because of their unsuitable internal construction.
Preparation (Single and Variable Speed models)
All fuel and oil must be drained from the mower before commencing
this procedure as the mower will be tipped over. This will avoid the risk
of fuel and oil reaching vulnerable parts of the mower. In any case, this
could be a sensible time to make an oil change.
SEE THE NOTE ON ‘POSITIONAL DESCRIPTIONS’ AT THE
BEGINNING OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS.(PAGE 2)
Replacing Drive Belts on Single Speed models.
(Except Rotarola and front wheel drive models)
1. Tie the flap at the rear of the grass discharge tunnel in the fully
open position, using the handle as an anchor point.
2. Remove the gearbox cover plate from the rear wall of the mower
housing. (3 screws)
3. If there is a cover over the ‘V’ belt above the housing, remove it.
(2 nuts, 2 flat washers)
4. Tip the mower on its right hand side, remove the blade bolt
from the lower end of the crankshaft, and lift the blade or blade
assembly clear of the mower. It should not be necessary to pull
the blade driver off the crankshaft.
5. Examine the mower to establish the correct routing for the new
belt. If there is a fixed idler pulley post, slacken its fastening nut
and slide it to slacken the belt as far as possible.
6. Remove the left rear wheel hub cap, undo the wheel retaining nut
and pull off the washer, the wheel and the plastic dust cover. Tip:
Be careful to note the positions of any washers on the axle (both
in front of and behind the dust cover) so they can be replaced
correctly.
7. Check the distance between the gearbox pulley and the left hand
side of the housing to see whether there is sufficient room for the
new belt to pass through. If not, it will be necessary to move the
gearbox slightly to the right to provide access. To do this, remove
the split plastic sleeve from the rear axle to gain access to the
circlip against the right hand rear axle bearing. Lift this circlip out
of its groove and slide it along the rear axle toward the gearbox
about 10 mm. Do NOT overstretch the circlip.
8. Slacken off the set screw which clamps the gearbox mount
against the side wall of the mower housing. Tap the left end of the
rear axle gently to move the gearbox to the right just enough to
allow the ‘V’ belt to pass between the housing and the gearbox
pulley.
9. Unless the mower has a chipper tube, it should be possible to
lift the old ‘V’ belt clear and fit the new one in place. If it has a
chipper tube, remove it by unscrewing the two mounting screws
holding the tube against the sloping face of the housing. Access
to these screws is through the gearbox compartment. If the
mower has a steel housing and it has a fixed idler pulley, it will be
necessary to remove the fixed idler completely to release the old
belt.
10. Fit the new belt, re-fit the chipper tube (if any), and replace the
fixed idler if it was removed at step 9. Tip: It will be easier to fit the
fixed idler before fitting the chipper tube.