18
ADJUSTING 
NUT (3) 
INSPECTION 
SLOT (3) 
.012” TO .014” 
FEELER GAUGE 
 
Section 4 - ADJUSTMENT & REPAIR 
 
WARNING 
DO NOT attempt any adjustments, maintenance or 
service with the engine or blades running. STOP 
blades. STOP engine. Set brake. Remove key. 
Remove spark plug wire from spark plug and secure 
wire away from spark plug. Engine and components 
can be extremely hot. Avoid burns by allowing engine 
and components sufficient time to cool. 
 
4.1 ENGINE ADJUSTMENTS & REPAIR 
Refer to the engine owner's manual for those 
adjustments and/or repairs that can be made by the 
owner. 
 
4.2 MOWER DECK & COMPONENT ADJUSTMENTS 
The following mower deck and component adjustments 
and repairs can be made by the owner. However, if 
there is difficulty in achieving these adjustments and 
repairs, it is recommended that these repairs be made 
by an authorized SNAPPER dealer. 
 
WARNING 
Blades must stop rotating in 5 seconds or less after 
blades have been turned off. DO NOT operate 
machine until blade brake has been repaired and 
functioning properly. Contact your SNAPPER dealer 
for assistance. 
 
4.2.1.  BLADE BRAKE ADJUSTMENT 
This SNAPPER Lawn Tractor is equipped with an 
electric clutch/brake that should stop blade rotation in 
5 seconds or less after being turned off. If blades 
continue to rotate longer than 5 seconds, adjustment 
or replacement is required. When properly adjusted, 
a .012” to .014” feeler gauge will fit thru the three 
inspection slots located on the side of the clutch as 
shown. See Figure 4.1. Excessive clearance can 
adversely affect the function of the clutch and 
produce blade stop times over 5 seconds. To adjust, 
turn the three adjusting nuts clockwise to reduce 
clearance. The clearance at each of the three slots 
must be set the same. 
 
4.2.2.  BLADE BELT ADJUSTMENT 
The 42” and 48” mower deck drive belts do not 
require any adjustment. If the belt does not drive 
blade properly, replace belt as needed. 
 
4.2.3.  MOWER DECK ADJUSTMENT (LEVELNESS) 
1.  SIDE-To-SIDE (42” Decks) 
Before making deck leveling adjustments, check the 
tire pressure. Check tires and add or release air as 
needed to bring pressure to 12 PSI in front and 12 
PSI in rear tires. If tires are properly inflated and 
mowing is still uneven, adjust side-to-side deck 
levelness as follows: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FIGURE 4.1 
 
a.  Place machine on a smooth level surface. 
b. Turn engine off and remove key, remove 
spark plug wire(s) from spark plug(s) and secure 
wire(s) away from plug(s). 
c. Place a piece of angle iron, pipe, or similar 
object under center of deck at the rear. 
 
d. Disconnect rear sector plates and allow 
center, rear of deck to rest on angle iron.  
e.  Measure the distance from blade tips to floor. If 
the measurement is within 1/8” from side-to-side, 
the deck levelness is satisfactory. If the difference 
from side-to-side is greater than 1/8”, an adjustment 
will have to be made. See Figure 4.2. 
 
 
 
 
 
FIGURE 4.2 
 
f. Loosen the shoulder bolt that retains the 
eccentric. 
g. Turn eccentric “UP” or “DOWN” as required 
until blade tips are within 1/8” of the same 
distance from the floor.  See Figure 4.3. 
h.  Tighten shoulder bolt loosened in Step “f”. 
i.  Readjust rear sector plates to align with holes 
in support brackets. 
 
 
REAR TO FRONT VIEW OF DECK 
ANGLE IRON
X - 1/8” 
X