Craftsman 247.25000 Operator's Manual page 26

CUTTING DECK REMOVAL
To remove the cutting deck, proceed as follows:
1. Place the PTO (Blade Engage) lever in the disengaged (OFF)
position and engage the parking brake.
2. Lower the deck by moving the deck lift lever into the bottom
notch on the right fender.
3. Remove the belt from around the tractor's PTO pulley. See Fig.
31.
WARNING
Avoid pinching injuries. Never place your fingers on the idler spring or
between the belt and a pulley while removing the belt.
4. Remove the bow-tie cotter pin and flat washer from the deck lift
assembly, and retain for reinstallation later. See Fig. 32.
5. Remove the remaining bow-tie cotter pins securing the deck to
the unit, as shown in Fig. 33.
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
Figure 31
Figure 32
NOTE: The bow-tie clips should be re-installed from the top
down.
6. Move the deck lift lever into the top notch on the right fender to
raise the deck lift arms up and out of the way.
7. Unplug the wiring pigtail from the deck safety switch.
8. Carefully remove the PTO cable from the rear of the cutting deck
by removing the bow-tie cotter pin which secures it. Remove the
spring from the deck idler bracket. See Fig. 34.
9. Gently slide the cutting deck (from the left side) out from
underneath the tractor.
Changing the Deck Belt
NOTE: It is possible to change the deck belt with the cutting deck still
installed on the tractor, however it is much easier to remove the deck
first, change the deck belt, then reinstall the cutting deck.
To change the cutting deck belt, proceed as follows:
1. It is easiest to change the deck belt by first removing the cutting
deck as instructed earlier in this section. Skip this step if deciding
to change the deck belt with the mowing deck still installed on the
unit. Otherwise, remove the cutting deck now.
26
Figure 33
Figure 34