11
F.
DRIVE BELT REMOVAL AND TENSION –
Refer to Figure 7
WARNING:
Shut off engine and allow mower blades to stop turning before making any
adjustments or repairs.
Remove the safety shields.
Loosen the nuts on the spring-loaded idler; adjust bolt until the belt can be slipped off the idler and
drive sheaves.
Slip the belt down under the drive sheave and off the blade spindle sheaves.
Install the new belt and then adjust the tension as follows:
See Figure 7.
Take special care to
make sure that the belt is placed between the brake stud and the idler pulley.
With the clutch engaged, adjust the nuts on the spring-loaded idler adjuster bolt until the length of
the spring is between 2-3/8” and 2-1/2”. This is the initial belt break in spring length. When the
belt is broken in after several hours of mowing, the running spring length should be between 2-
5/8” and 3-1/8”. For maximum belt life, periodic checks every 3-4 hours should be done to make
sure the spring length has not exceeded the recommended running length.
Note:
Failure to periodically adjust the belt tension will result in severe belt wear and
premature belt failure.
This model comes with a belt brake, which is a safety feature that stops the blades from turning
after the clutch is disengaged. The only time the brake should be in contact with the belt is when
the clutch is disengaged.
CAUTION:
The brake stud must be adjusted. If the brake stud is not adjusted correctly,
the blades will still spin even though the clutch may be in the disengaged position. Always
shut mower engine off before servicing.
Periodic brake stud inspections should be performed every 10 hours. In more severe cutting
conditions, more frequent inspections may be necessary. There are two parts to inspecting the
brake stud. Those two inspections are the disengaged spring length and brake stud clearance.
Note:
It is quicker to perform the disengaged spring length and brake stud clearance
inspections if done simultaneously.
Disengaged Spring Length:
This inspection must be performed to make sure that there is proper braking force to prevent the
blades from spinning when the clutch is in the disengaged position. With the clutch in the
disengaged position measure the spring length. The spring must be between 3-1/4” and 4” to
provide the appropriate braking force. If the spring length is to long it will be necessary to adjust
the brake stud closer to the belt. If the spring length is to short it will be necessary to adjust the
brake stud further away from the belt. To make brake stud adjustments loosen the bolt on the top
