22
Figure 20
CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION DRIVE
BELT(S)
WARNING:
Be sure to shut the engine
off, remove ignition key, disconnect the
spark plug wire(s) and ground against the
engine to prevent unintended starting
before removing the belt(s).
All belts on your tractor are subject to wear and
should be replaced if any signs of cracking,
shredding or rotting are present.
IMPORTANT:
The V-belts found on your tractor
are specially designed to engage and disengage
safely. A substitute (non-OEM) V-belt can be dan-
gerous by not disengaging completely. For a proper
working machine, use factory approved belts.
To change or replace the drive belt(s) on your
tractor, proceed as follows:
NOTE:
It’s recommended that both drive belts be
replaced at the same time.
• Remove the cutting deck as instructed earlier
in this section.
• After disconnecting the battery cables, remove
the battery and battery tray from beneath the
seat.
IMPORTANT:
When removing the battery,
disconnect the NEGATIVE (Black) wire from it’s
terminal first, followed by the POSITIVE (Red) wire.
Re-install in reverse order.
Upper Drive Belt
• Locate the transmission idler pulley on the
upper drive belt by looking through the battery
tray opening. See Figure 21.
• Grasp the bracket and pivot the transmission
idler pulley toward the rear of the tractor to
release tension on the upper drive belt.
• Remove the belt from around the transmission
idler pulley.
• Remove the upper drive belt from around the
transmission pulley and the variable-speed
pulley.
NOTE:
Slowly rotate the pulley counterclockwise to
roll the belt off of it.
• Remove the upper drive belt by pulling it up
through the battery tray opening.
• Reroute the new upper drive belt as shown in
Figure 21.
Lower Drive Belt
IMPORTANT:
Proper removal of the lower drive
belt requires the removal of several tractor
components. Read through the following procedure
prior to attempting it to determine if you feel you
could successfully complete it. If you don’t, see an
authorized service dealer to have the belt changed.
IMPORTANT:
Note the routing of the lower drive
belt around both the pulleys and the belt keepers
BEFORE performing the following steps.
• Locate the variable-speed pulley through the
battery tray opening. See Figure 21.
• Remove the variable-speed pulley by
loosening the hex bolt that affixes it to the
transmission. Use a second wrench to hold
the hex nut on the bottom side of the pulley.
NOTE:
Left hand belt cover not shown for clarity.
46-inch Decks
Deck Belt (Bottom)
PTO Belt (Top)*
Electric PTO Clutch
Left Hand
Double Pulley
Right Hand
Double Pulley
Center Pulley
Deck Idler Pulley
Self-Tapping Screws
(beneath belt guard)
PTO Idler Bracket
(mounted on tractor)
w/ Electric PTO
*Refer to the
diagram on
page 42 for
manual PTO