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www.simplicitymfg.com
Regular Maintenance
Mower Belt Replacement
1. Park the tractor on a smooth, level surface such
as a concrete floor. Disengage the PTO, engage the
parking brake, turn off the engine, and remove the
ignition key.
2. Lower the mower deck to its lowest cutting position and
remove the mower deck guards.
3. Using a 1/2” breaker bar, place the square end in the
square hole located in the end of the idler arm (A,
Figures 42). Carefully rotate the breaker bar clockwise,
which will relieve the tension on the belt exerted from
the idler arm.
4. Slide the drive belt over the edge of the stationary idler
pulley (B). Carefully release the tension on the breaker
bar.
5. Remove the old belt and replace with a new one. Make
sure the V-side of the belt runs in the pulley grooves
(Figure 43).
6. Install the drive belt on the PTO pulley, the spindle
pulleys and all idler pulleys except the stationary
pulley (B, Figure 43). Carefully rotate the breaker bar
clockwise and install the belt on the stationary idler
pulley (B). Carefully release the tension on the breaker
bar.
7. Reinstall the mower deck guards.
8. Run the mower under no-load condition for about 5
minutes to break-in the new belt.
A
B
Figure 42. Mower PTO Belt
A. Idler Arm
B. Stationary Idler Pulley
Figure 43. Mower PTO Belt Routing
A. Spindle Pulley
B. PTO Drive Belt
C. Spring-loaded Idler Pulley
D. Stationary Idler Pulley
C
BD
A
A
A
D
WARNING
Spring loaded components can kick back
causing injury.
Use extreme caution when rotating the idler arm with the
breaker bar, due to the increased tension in the spring
as the idler arm is being rotated. Injury may result in
the breaker bar is prematurely release while the spring is
under tension.
NOTICE
To avoid damaging belts, do NOT pry belts over pulleys.
