Dixon 501 - Manual (Page 18)

Page 15
CARE AND MAINTENANCE - MODEL 501
MOWER DECK SERVICE: CUTTER BLADE REMOVAL - BELT TENSION.
"CAUTION" The removal of the cutter blades for either sharpening or replacement is
best accomplished by removing the deck assembly from the mower. Do not
attempt to raise or lift the front of the mower unless proper safety
equipment is available to support the mower. If you do not have the
necessary equipment, entrust this task to your dealer.
DECK REMOVAL:
1. Remove front belt access cover from body. Stand in front of the mower,
grasp lift quadrant lever, with left hand. Move lever to align with the
(5th) hole from the bottom on the quadrant plate. At this time, connect
brake link into hole on lift lever. Move lift lever toward lowest cut
position and remove belt from the top of center deck hub assembly.
2. Remove the hair pin cotters from the ends of the deck support rods. Slide
deck support rods from deck while supporting deck assembly with a suitable
brace, or by the use of an assistant to hold the deck while rods are
removed. Slide deck from under chassis.
3. Reverse procedure to re-install deck assembly.
CUTTER BLADE REMOVAL:
1. Carefully place deck assembly in a manner which will allow access to the blade
bolts. Hold blade from turning while bolt is removed from the center of each hub
assembly. "Caution" wear heavy, thick gloves when holding onto cutter blade,
avoid the sharp edge of the blade.
2. When re-assembling blades to hub assemblies, fully tighten blade bolts to
a minimum of (35 ft. lbs.) torque. The use of air impact tools is recommended for
installation to insure bolt tightness.
BELT TENSION:
.1. The engine to mower deck drive belt on the Model (501) is automatically held
in proper tension by springs which push the deck assembly forward, and does
not require any additional adjustment to be made. Both the belt and the
idler system should be periodically inspected due to the nature of the job
they perform.
2. Serpentine deck belt tension is maintained by a manual adjustment rod which
is located on the top of the mower deck assembly. Proper belt tension is
critical to insure cut quality. If adjustment is required, tighten lock nut
on adjustment rod until belt free play or movement between pulleys is
approximately 1/4 of an inch.