Craftsman 917.98643 Operator's Manual page 29

TO REPLACE MOWER BLADE DRIVE
BELT
MOWER DRIVE BELT REMOVAL
1. Park tractor on a level surface. Engage
parking brake.
2. Lower attachment lift lever to its lowest
position.
3. Disengage belt tension rod (K) from lock
bracket (L).
CAUTION: Belt tension rod is spring
loaded. Have a firm grip on rod and release
slowly.
4. Remove screws (P) from R.H. and LH.
mandrel covers and remove covers (Q).
5. Remove anydirt orgrass clippings which
may have accumulated around mandrels
and entire upper deck surface.
6. Remove belt from electric clutch pulley
(M), both mandrel pulleys (R) and aN idler
pulleys (V).
MOWER DRIVE BELT INSTALLATION
1. Install belt around both mandrel puNeys
(R) and around idler pulleys (V) as shown.
2. Install belt onto electric clutch pulley (M).
IMPORTANT: Check belt for proper routing
in all mower pulley grooves.
3. Reassemble R.H. and LH. mandrel cov-
ers (Q). Securely tighten all screws.
4. Engage belt tension rod (K) on locking
bracket (L).
_i, CAUTION: Belt tension rod is spring
loaded. Have a tight grip on rod and engage
slowly.
5. Raise attachment Nft lever to highest
position.
BELT REMOVAL-
1. Remove mower (See "TO REMOVE
MOWER" in this section of manual).
NOTE: Observe entire motion drive belt
and position of aN belt guides and keepers.
2. Remove beltfrom stationary idler (A) and
clutching idler (B).
3. Remove belt from centerspan idler (C).
6. Pull belt slack toward rear of tractor.
CarefuNy remove belt upwards from
transmission input pulley and over cool-
ing fan blades (D).
4. Remove belt downward from engine
pulley (E).
5. Slide belt toward rear of tractor, off the
steering plate (F) and remove from tractor.
BELT INSTALLATION
-
1. Install new belt from tractor rear to front,
over the steering plate (F) and above
clutch brake pedal shaft (G).
2. Pull belt toward front of tractor and roll
belt onto engine pulley (E).
3. Pull belt toward rear of tractor. Carefully
work belt down around transmission
cooling fan and onto the input pulley (D).
Be sure belt is inside the belt keeper.
4. Install belt on centerspan idler (C).
5. Install belt through stationary idler (A)
and clutching idler (B).
6. Make sure belt is in all pulley grooves
and inside all belt guides and keepers.
7. Install mower (See "TO INSTALL MOW-
ER" in this section of manual).
......
TO REPLACE MOTION DRIVE BELT
Park the tractor on level surface. Engage
parking brake. For assistance, there is a
belt instaNation guide decal on bottom side
of left footrest.
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