27Section 7 — Service
6.  Slide the rod to the right to remove it.
NOTE: Be careful not to damage the wire harness when 
removing the rod.
7.  Remove the bow pin that secures the PTO cable to the 
bracket on the deck, slide the PTO cable out of the bracket 
and unhook the spring from the idler bracket. See Figure 7-2.
Figure 7-2
8.  Working on the right side of the tractor, insert a ⁄” drive 
ratchet wrench, set to tighten, into square hole found on 
the idler bracket. See Figure 7-3.
Figure 7-3
9.  Pivot the wrench forward to move the deck drive pulley 
forward.  See Figure 7-3.
WARNING! Avoid pinching injuries. Never place 
your fingers on the idler spring or between the belt 
and a pulley while installing the belt. 
10.  Carefully remove the belt from around the PTO pulley.
11.   Looking at the cutting deck from the left side of the tractor, 
locate the bow-tie pin on the rear left side of the deck. See 
Figure 7-4.
Figure 7-4
12.  Remove the pin and slide the deck pin out of the deck lift 
arm. See Figure 7-4.
13.  Repeat the above steps on the tractor’s right side.
14.  Pull the bow-tie pin out of the front deck lift rod securing it 
to the deck. See Figure 7-5. Slide the deck lift rod out of the 
front hanger bracket.
Figure 7-5
15.  Move the deck lift lever into the top notch to raise the deck 
lift up and out of the way.
CAUTION: There is a certain amount of spring tension 
due to the weight of the deck. When removing the lift 
linkage from the deck the tension of the springs will go 
from the deck to the deck lift handle and snap back.
16.  Gently slide the cutting deck out from underneath the tractor.