6-3
Belt Adjustment/Replacement
The pump drive belt and blade drive belt are self-
adjusting, and only require replacement when worn.
Replacing the Cutter Deck Belt
1. Stop the engine, remove the key and wait for all
moving parts to stop.
2. Lower deck to the lowest setting.
3. Remove the deck cover(s).
4.
Remove the belt by using a ½” ratchet and
extension to relieve the belt tension.
5. Reinstall in reverse order. Figure shows belt
routing and spring compression direction.
Replacing the Drive Belt
This is a very compact machine and so areas of
the drive can be tight to work with. Following the
procedure closely should allow the belt to be replaced
within a matter of a few minutes without raising the
machine off the ground.
1. Stop the engine, remove the key and wait for all
moving parts to stop and cool down.
2. Remove the deck covers, rear guard, and raise
the deck to the highest position and insert the
height select pin in the highest hole to secure.
3.
Insert a ½” breaker bar into the square hole in
the left deck idler arm and remove the belt from
the trim side spindle. Pull the deck belt out the
front to get it out of the way.
4.
Insert a ½” breaker bar into the square hole in
the pump idler arm and push to the right.
5. Remove belt, starting with the left pump, right
pump, idler, and lastly the engine.
To Install a New Belt:
1. Push a loop of the belt above the idler arm and
between the idler pulley and idler pivot.
2. Loop the belt around the clutch and engine
pulley. (DO NOT REMOVE CLUTCH STOP).
3. Loop the belt around right pump pulley.
4. Compress idler arm by pushing on it or using a
breaker bar and loop belt onto the Left pump.
5. Install covers and deck belt.
Troubleshooting Cut Quality
Problem
Description
Possible Cause
Solution
Streaking
When strips of uncut
grass are left behind
Blades not sharp
Sharpen blades
Blades worn down too far
Replace blades
Engine RPM too low
Mow at full throttle
Ground Speed too fast
Slow down
Deck clogged with grass
Clean deck
Stepped
Cutting
Sharp ridges left in the
lawn surface
Deck not leveled correctly
Level the deck
Tires not properly installed/inflated
Check and inflate tires
Blades are damaged
Replace blades
Deck shell is damaged
Repair or replace deck
Spindle is bent or loose
Repair or replace spindle
Blades are installed incorrectly
Reinstall the blades correctly
Scalping
Brown areas when deck
is close to/hitting the
ground
Lawn is uneven or bumpy
Roll or level the lawn
Cut height is too low
Raise cutting height
Deck is not leveled correctly
Level the deck
Tire pressure is uneven
Check and inflate tires
Stringers
Sparse patches of uncut
grass left behind mower
Blades are dull or nicked
Sharpen blades
Blades worn down too far
Replace blades
Engine RPM too low
Mow at full throttle
Ground speed too fast
Slow down
Deck clogged with grass
Clean deck
