MOWER DECKS/PTO
5. Install the belt covers over the outside spindles.
6. Tighten the outer nut on the spring eye bolt (Fig.
500).
Note: Check the spring length. The spring should
measure 9-38 + 1/8 inch (238 + 3mm) with belt
installed. Adjust it if it does not (Fig. 500).
Adjusting the Mower Belt Tension
Z 400 Series
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
postition.
3. Remove the belt covers over the outside spindles.
4. Loosen the fixed idler arm and adjust it to relieve the
belt tension on the fixed idler pulley (Fig. 501).
7
1. Fixed idler arm
2. Square hole
3. Fixed idler pulley
7-28
Fig 501
fig. 49 G001678
4. Mower belt
5. Belt guide
6. Spring-loaded idler
pulley
5. To increase the belt tension, rotate the ratchet or
breaker bar counterclockwise to move the fixed
idler arm until you feel increased resistance and the
spring-loaded idler pulley stops moving (Fig. 502).
Note: Do not increase the belt tension beyond the
point where the fixed idler arm stops.
Fig 502
1. Ratchet with short
extension or breaker
bar
6. While holding the belt in tension, tighten the 2 nuts
that secure the fixed idler arm.
7. Remove the ratchet or breaker bar from the square
hole in the fixed idler arm.
8. Install the belt covers over the outside spindles.
Z Master Z400 Service Manual
fig. 50 G001679
2. Square hole