Belt Replacement - Craftsman 247.29931 Operator's Manual

Beforeperforming any type of maintenanceon the machine,waitfor
all partsto stopmovingand disconnectthe spark plugwire. Failure
to followthis instructioncouldresult in personalinjuryor property
damage.
BELT REPLACEMENT
If the drive beltor augerbelts needto be replaced,it is best to replace
bothbelts at the sametime. Useonly a factory authorizedbeltas an
"over-the-counter"beltmay not performsatisfactorily. T he procedure
requiresaveragemechanical a bility and commonlyavailabletools.
To replacethe Driveand Augerbelts,followthese steps:
1. Makesurethe tiller is on a flat surface,with the engineturned
off and the sparkplug wireunpluggedand groundedto prevent
unintendedfiringof the engine.
2. Removethe beltcoverby first removingthe two 1/4-20self-
tappinghexscrews.See Figure23. Liftthe beltcover up and
awayfrom thetiller and set in a safe locationuntilreinstallation.
3. Removethe four 1/4-20self-tappinghexscrewsthat securethe
pulleyshieldtothe frame and removethe pulleyshieldand set
asidein a safelocationuntil reinstallation. S ee Figure24.
4. Removethe idler bracketextensionspring.See Figure25. It is
recommended to use a pairof needle-nosedpliers,and grab the
springby theend that hooksoverthe frame.Simplygrab it and
pull it awayfrom the frame,thenup wards and carefullyrelieve
thetensionof the spring.
5. Removethe idler pulleybracketby removingthe 5/16-24hex
head screw,flat washerand lock washer.See Figure26.
NOTE:It willbe necessaryto removethe beltfrom aroundthe idler
pulleybyworkingit off the pulleyand from underneath each belt
keeper.
Remove the
idler bracket
extension
spring
Figure24
Figure25
f
Figure23
J
f
Remove the
belt from the
idler pulley
by working it
under the belt
keepers.
Remove the
idler pulley
bracket by
removing the
hex head screw,
flat and lock
washers
Figure26
22