Troy-Bilt RZT 50 - Manual (Page 28)

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SECTION 5: MOWER DECK
This section contains removal, installation, adjust-
ment, and maintenance information for the 50-inch
mower deck. Instructions for installation and removal
of the optional mulching plug are located at the end of
this section.
DECK REMOVAL
Remove the mower deck from the tractor as follows:
1. Move the tractor to a level surface, disengage the
PTO, stop the engine, and set the parking brake.
2. Move the deck gauge wheels to their highest
setting (lowest deck setting).
3. Remove the ‘V’ belt from the PTO pulley, located
on the bottom of the engine, 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 removing the
belt from the PTO pulley.
Releasing belt tension with the idler pulley.
• 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.
• Working from the middle of the tractor, pivot the
idler bracket and movable idler pulley rearward
away from the backside of the ‘V" belt just far
enough to lift the belt up and over the idler pulley.
See Figure 29.
Figure 29
• From beneath the rear of the tractor, slide the belt
off of the PTO pulley on the bottom of the engine.
Rolling the belt off the PTO pulley.
• Using the deck lift handle, raise the deck to the
upper position that allows for the most horizontal
run of the belt between the deck idler pulleys and
the PTO pulley on the bottom of the engine.
• Sitting behind the tractor facing forward, reach
beneath the tractor to grasp the belt at the front of
the PTO pulley.
WARNING: Use caution to prevent
pinching your fingers when rolling the
belt off the PTO pulley.
• Pull the left side of the belt rearward and down-
ward while manually turning the PTO pulley to the
right until the belt rides out onto the edge of the
lower sheave of the pulley. NOTE: If pulling the
right side of the belt, turn the pulley to the left.
• While still holding the belt downward, continue
turning the PTO pulley until the belt is rolled off
the pulley. Refer to Figure 31
4. Lower the deck to the ground using the deck lift
handle.
5. Locate the LH and RH deck support pins on each
side of the deck. Pull the deck support pins
outward and lock in the disengaged position to
release the deck from the tractor’s LH and RH
deck lift arms. See Figure 30.
Figure 30
6. Raise the deck lift arms out of the rear hanger
bracket slots by raising the deck lift handle on the
tractor to its highest position.
7. Slide the deck forward so that the deck front
hanger rod can be lifted out of the two slots of the
front deck bracket. After lifting the front hanger
rod out of the slots, slide the deck rearward so
that the rod can no longer engage the slots.
Fixed Idler
Pulley
‘V’ Belt
Idler Bracket
Pull Idler Pulley
Rearward
Movable Idler
Pulley
Deck
Deck Lift Arm
Support
Pin
Rear Deck
Hanger Bracket
Rear Hanger
Bracket Slot