MTD 618 Operator's Manual page 24

• Looking at the cutting deck from the left side of the
tractor, locate the deck support pin on the rear left
side of the deck. See Figure 23.
Figure 23
• Pull the deck support pin outward to release the
deck from the deck lift arm.
• Rotate the pin slightly toward the rear of the tractor
and release the pin into the hole provided.
• Repeat the above steps on the tractor's right side.
• Move the deck lift lever into the top notch on the
right fender to raise the deck lift arms up and out of
the way.
• Gently slide the cutting deck toward the front of the
tractor allowing the hooks on the deck to release
themselves from the deck stabilizer rod.
• Gently slide the cutting deck (from the right side)
out from underneath the tractor.
When re-installing the deck on a tractor
IMPORTANT:
with a manual PTO, always use a new cotter pin (Part
No. 714-0470) to re-secure the deck brake cable.
Never reuse the old cotter pin.
Support Pin
Changing the Deck Belt & PTO Belt
WARNING:
remove ignition key, disconnect the spark
plug wire(s) and ground against the engine to
prevent unintended starting before removing
the belt(s).
All belts on your tractor are subject to wear and should
be replaced if any signs of wear are present.
The V-belts found on your tractor are
IMPORTANT:
specially designed to engage and disengage safely. A
substitute (non-OEM) V-belt can be dangerous by not
disengaging completely. For a proper working machine,
use factory approved belts.
To change or replace the deck belts on your tractor,
proceed as follows:
• Lower the deck by moving the deck lift lever into the
bottom notch on the right fender.
• Remove the belt guards by removing the self-
tapping screws that fasten them to the deck.
• Grasp the rearmost portion of the PTO idler bracket
and pivot it toward the discharge chute to relieve
tension on the PTO belt.
• Remove the PTO belt from the engine pulley (or
electric PTO clutch) and the PTO idler pulley(s).
• Grasp the deck idler pulley and pivot it toward the
left side of the deck to relieve tension on the deck
belt.
• Remove the deck belt from around all pulleys,
including the deck idler pulley.
• Route the new belts as shown in Figure 24.
• Remount the belt guards removed ealier.
24
Be sure to shut the engine off,