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Section 5: Maintenance
WHEEL DRIVE BELT
REPLACEMENT
Follow this procedure to replace the
wheel drive belt.
1. Stop engine, wait for all parts to
stop moving, and disconnect spark
plug wire.
2. Release all mower controls.
3. Remove belt cover as described in
“Belt Cover Removal” instructions.
4. Locate wheel drive belt (O, Figure 5-
11) and remove it from top sheave of
engine sheave, backsided idlers (P and
Q) and transmission sheave (R).
5. Install new belt as shown in Figure 5-
11. Belt must be installed “inside out ”–
“V” side of belt lies against
engine sheave only. Flat side of belt lies
against transmission sheave (R) and
back-sided idlers (P and Q).
6. Make sure belt is inside belt guide (S,
Figure 5-11).
7. Reinstall belt cover securely.
8. An adjustment to the drive belt may
be necessary. See “Wheel Drive Belt
Adjustment” in this Section.
WHEEL DRIVE BELT
ADJUSTMENT
The wheel drive belt requires an adjust-
ment if loss of drive belt tension (slip-
page) occurs. This is most noticeable
when more traction is required (such as
going up slopes).
To Test Wheel Traction:
1. Park machine on a paved (concrete,
etc.) surface with front edge up against
a sturdy wall, fence, etc.
2. Put Gear Select Lever in No. 1 setting.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT PARK AGAINST A
PAINTED OR SIDED WALL. TESTING
THE WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM REQUIRES
MACHINE TO BE FORCIBLY PUSHED
AGAINST WALL. DAMAGE TO PAINT OR
SIDING COULD RESULT.
3. With engine running, and machine
placed firmly up against wall, hold down
Operator Presence Control and fully en-
gage wheel drive by squeezing Wheel
Drive Control until it contacts handlebar.
4. Wheels should slip on paved surface.
If they do not, an adjustment is required.
To Adjust Wheel Drive Belt:
1. Stop engine, wait for all parts to
stop moving, and disconnect spark
plug wire.
2. Remove cotter pin (A, Figure 5-12A)
from upper end of Wheel Drive Control
rod. Slide rod out of lever assembly.
3. Loosen jam nut (D, Figure 5-12).
4. Thread rod (E, Figure 5-12) one or
two turns clockwise for more tension or
counterclockwise for less tension.
5. Insert rod back into hole in Wheel
Drive Control lever and install cotter pin.
Bend ends of cotter pin to secure.
6. Retest wheel traction. Repeat adjust-
ment procedure, if necessary. Most
comfortable operation will be obtained
when the adjustment allows the lever to
just make contact with the handgrip as
sufficient wheel traction is achieved.
When adjustment is complete, tighten
jam nut (D) firmly against block (B).
WHEEL BRAKE ADJUSTMENT
This adjustment may be required if the
machine does not hold on a hill with the
Operator Presence Control disengaged,
or if the brake drags with the Operator
Presence Control engaged and the trans-
mission in neutral.
1. Stop engine, wait for all parts to
stop moving, and disconnect spark
plug wire.
2. Disengage (release) the Operator
Presence Control (M, Figure 5-13).
Figure 5-11: Wheel drive belt replacement.
S
O
Q
P
R
Figure 5-12A
A
Before inspecting, cleaning or servicing the machine, shut off engine, wait for moving parts to stop, disconnect spark
plug wire and move wire away from spark plug. Remove ignition key (electric start models).
Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious personal injury or property damage.
WARNING