Deck Installation - Cub Cadet RZT Series Operator's Manual

Deck Installation

To install the mower deck, proceed as follows:
1. While holding the deck front hanger rod upward, carefully
slide the deck underneath the right side of the tractor.
2. While still holding the front hanger rod, slide the deck
forward until the front hanger rod can be lowered into the
slots of the front deck bracket.
3. Lower the front hanger rod into the slots of the front deck
bracket, then slide the deck rearward.
4. Maneuver the deck so that the slots in the two rear deck
hanger brackets approximately align with the deck lift arms
of the tractor. Refer to Fig. 7-5.
5. Use the tractor deck lift handle to lower the deck lift arms
into the slots of the rear deck hanger brackets.
6. Pull the deck support pins outward and maneuver the deck
as necessary to align the holes in the deck lift arms with the
pins. Refer to Fig. 7-5.
7. When aligned, push each pin fully inward through the lift
arms to secure the arms in the rear hanger bracket slots.
8. Make certain the 'V' belt is in the spindle pulleys on the
deck; then route the belt rearward beneath the tractor
frame, above the transmission tube(s), to the PTO pulley on
the bottom of the engine.
9. Install the 'V' belt onto the PTO pulley using one of the
following two methods.
WARNING!
The muffler at the rear of the tractor
may be extremely hot, and could cause serious burns.
Use extreme caution when near the muffler. Allow
the muffler to fully cool before installing the belt.
Using the Idler Pulley to Tension the Belt.
1. Using the deck lift handle, raise the deck to the position that
provides the most horizontal run of the belt between the deck
idler pulleys and the PTO pulley on the bottom of the engine.
2. Install the belt in the PTO pulley on the bottom of the engine.
3. Route the backside of the belt around the fixed idler pulley
of the deck. Refer to Fig. 7-3.
4. Working from the middle of the tractor, pivot the idler
bracket/movable pulley rearward against the spring
tension and slide the backside of the belt onto the movable
idler pulley. Refer to Fig. 7-3.
Rolling the Belt onto the PTO Pulley.
1. Using the deck lift handle, raise the deck to the position
that provides the most horizontal run of the belt between
the deck idler pulleys and the PTO pulley on the bottom of
the engine.
2. Make certain the belt is in the spindle pulleys of the deck,
and that the backside of the belt is against both the fixed
and movable idler pulleys. Refer to Fig. 7-3.
3. Sitting behind the tractor, facing forward, make certain the
belt is not twisted; then reach beneath the tractor to grasp
the belt and pull it toward the PTO pulley.
WARNING!
Use caution to avoid pinching your
fingers when rolling the belt onto the PTO pulley.
4. Pull the right side of the belt rearward and place the
narrow V side of the belt into the PTO pulley. See Fig. 7-4.
5. While holding the belt and pulley together, rotate the pulley
to the left (See Fig. 7-4). Continue holding and rotating the
pulley and belt until the belt is fully rolled into the PTO pulley.
Replacing the Deck Drive Belt
1. Remove the deck from beneath the tractor, (refer to Deck
Removal on page 26).
2. Remove the hex screws securing the belt covers to the
deck and remove the belt from the spindle pulleys. Refer to
Fig. 7-6.
54" & 50"
Belt Cover
Decks
Hex
Screw
42" Decks
Belt Cover
Spindle
Hex
Pulleys
Screw
Figure 7-6
3. Install the new belt around the spindle pulleys as shown in
Fig. 7-6 and reinstall the belt covers.
4. Route the belt rearward between the two idler pulleys and
reinstall the deck following the instructions in Deck Installation.
Mower Blade Care
WARNING!
Before performing any maintenance,
place the PTO switch in the "OFF" position, engage the
parking brake lever, turn the ignition key to the "OFF"
position and remove the key from the switch. Protect
your hands by using heavy gloves when handling the
blades. When servicing the mower deck, be careful not
to cut yourself on the sharpened blades.
The cutting blades must be kept sharp at all times. Sharpen the
cutting edges of the blades evenly so that the blades remain
balanced and the same angle of sharpness is maintained.
If the cutting edge of a blade has already been sharpened many
times, or if any metal separation is present, it is recommended
that new blades be installed. New blades are available at your
authorized dealer.
The blades may be removed as follows.
1. Remove the deck from beneath the tractor, (refer to Deck
Removal on page 26) then gently flip the deck over to
expose its underside.
Belt Cover
Spindle
Hex
Pulleys
Screw
Belt Cover
Hex
Screw
S 7 — S
ection ervice
29