Troy-Bilt ZT42 Lawn Mower User Manual


 
30 se c t i O n 7— se r v i c e
Deck Installation
To install the mower deck, proceed as follows:
While holding the deck front hanger rod upward, carefully 
slide the deck underneath the right side of the tractor.
While still holding the front hanger rod, slide the deck 2.
forward until the front hanger rod can be lowered into the
slots of the front deck bracket.
Lower the front hanger rod into the slots of the front deck 3.
bracket, then slide the deck rearward.
Maneuver the deck so that the slots in the two rear deck 
hanger brackets approximately align with the deck lift arms
of the tractor. Refer to Fig. 7-5.
Use the tractor deck lift handle to lower the deck lift arms 5.
into the slots of the rear deck hanger brackets.

as necessary to align the holes in the deck lift arms with the
pins. Refer to Fig. 7-5.
When aligned, push each pin fully inward through the lift 7.
arms to secure the arms in the rear hanger bracket slots.
8.
deck; then route the belt rearward beneath the tractor

the bottom of the engine.

following two methods.
The muffler at the rear of the tractor
may be extremely hot, and could cause serious burns.
Use extreme caution when near the muffler. Allow
the muffler to fully cool before installing the belt.
Using the Idler Pulley to Tension the Belt.
Using the deck lift handle, raise the deck to the position that 
provides the most horizontal run of the belt between the deck

2.
Route the backside of the belt around the fixed idler pulley 3.
of the deck. Refer to Fig. 7-3.
Working from the middle of the tractor, pivot the idler 
bracket/movable pulley rearward against the spring
tension and slide the backside of the belt onto the movable
idler pulley. Refer to Fig. 7-3.
Rolling the Belt into the PTO Pulley.
Using the deck lift handle, raise the deck to the position that 
provides the most horizontal run of the belt between the deck

Make certain the belt is in the spindle pulleys of the deck, 2.
and that the backside of the belt is against both the fixed
and movable idler pulleys. Refer to Fig. 7-3.
Sitting behind the tractor, facing forward, make certain the 3.
belt is not twisted; then reach beneath the tractor to grasp

Use caution to avoid pinching your



While holding the belt and pulley together, rotate the 5.

rotating the pulley and belt until the belt is fully rolled into

Replacing the Deck Drive Belt
Remove the deck from beneath the tractor, (refer to Deck 

Remove the hex washer screws securing the belt covers 2.
to the deck and remove the belt from the spindle pulleys.

Install the new belt around the spindle pulleys as shown in 3.

Route the belt rearward between the two idler pulleys and 
reinstall the deck following the instructions in Deck Installation.
Mower Blade Care
Before performing any maintenance,



your hands by using heavy gloves when handling the
blades. When servicing the mower deck, be careful not
to cut yourself on the sharpened blades.
The cutting blades must be kept sharp at all times. Sharpen the
cutting edges of the blades evenly so that the blades remain
balanced and the same angle of sharpness is maintained.
If the cutting edge of a blade has already been sharpened many
times, or if any metal separation is present, it is recommended
that new blades be installed. New blades are available at your
authorized dealer.
The blades may be removed as follows.
Remove the deck from beneath the tractor, (refer to Deck 

expose its underside.











