Adjusting The Mower Belt Tension For 72 Inch Mower Decks; Replacing The Pto Drive Belt - Toro 74253 Operator's Manual

10. Install the idler spring to the two posts (Figure 58
and Figure 62).
11. Adjust the belt tension, refer to Adjusting the Mower
Belt Tension.
12. Install the belt covers by sliding the cover into the
tab, install the bolts, and close the latches (Figure 61).
1. Belt cover
2. Latch
Adjusting the Mower Belt
Tension for 72 inch Mower
Decks
Service Interval: After the first 8 hours
Important: To ensure proper mower belt tension,
which will result in a longer belt life, check the
mower belt tension 8 hours after each belt change.
1. Disengage the PTO, move the motion control levers
to the neutral locked position, and set the parking
brake.
2. Stop the engine, remove the key, and wait for all
moving parts to stop before leaving the operating
position.
3. Adjust the mower deck to the 3 inch (76mm)
height-of-cut position.
4. Measure the spring length (Figure 62). If the spring
length is between 10 and 10-1/4 inches (25.4 and
26.0 cm), from post to post, no adjustment is needed.
5. Loosen the bolts holding the idler plate (Figure 62).
6. Insert a ratchet or breaker bar into the square hole in
the idler plate to adjust the tension (Figure 62).
Figure 61
3. Insert slot into the tab
7. Rotate the ratchet or breaker bar to move the idler
plate until the idler spring is between 10 and 10-1/4
inches (25.4 and 26.0 cm) from post to post as
shown in Figure 62.
8. While holding the belt tension and spring length,
tighten the idler plate bolts that secure the idler plate
(Figure 62).
1. Belt guide install at a 45
degree angle
2. Idler spring length
(between 10 and 10-1/4
inches (25.4 and 26.0 cm))
3. Idler plate

Replacing the PTO Drive Belt

Service Interval: Every 50 hours—Check the PTO
drive belt.
Squealing when the belt is rotating, blades slipping when
cutting grass, frayed belt edges, burn marks and cracks
are signs of a worn PTO belt. Replace the mower belt if
any of these conditions are evident.
1. Disengage the PTO, move the motion control levers
to the neutral locked position and set the parking
brake.
2. Stop the engine, remove the key, and wait for all
moving parts to stop before leaving the operating
position.
3. Loosen the front engine panel knobs and remove
the panel (Figure 63).
46
Figure 62
4. Ratchet or breaker bar
5. Idler plate bolt