Troy-Bilt Pony Operation Manual - Page 24

2. Placeablockofwoodbetweenthecenterdeckhousingbaffleand 5. Testtheblade'sbalanceusingabladebalancer.Grindmetalfrom the cutting blade to act as a stabilizer. See Fig. 7-5. the heavy side until it balances evenly. NOTE: When replacing the blade, be sure to install the blade with the side of the blade marked ''Bottom'' (or with a part number stamped in it) facing the ground when the mower is in the operating position. CAUTION: Use a torque wrench to tighten the blade spindle hex flange nut to between 70 lbs-ft and 90 lbs-ft. Changing the Deck Belt WARNING! Be sure to shut the engine off, remove ignition key, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting before removing the belt. Figure 7-5 3. Remove the hex flange nut that secures the blade to the spindle assembly. See Fig. 7-5. 4. To properly sharpen the cutting blades, remove equal amounts of metal from both ends of the blades along the cutting edges, parallel to the trailing edge, at a 25° to 30° angle. IMPORTANT: If the cutting edge of the blade has already been sharpened to within 1 5⁄8" from the edge, or if any metal separation is present, replace the blades with new ones. See Fig. 7-6. WARNING! All belt on your tractor are subject to wear and should be replaced if any signs of wear are present. IMPORTANT: The V-belt found on your tractor are specially designed to engage and disengage safely. A substitute (nonOEM) V-belt can be dangerous by not disengaging completely. For a proper working machine, use factory approved belts. To change or replace the deck belt on your tractor, proceed as follows: 1. Remove the deck as instructed earlier in this section. 2. Removethebeltcoversbyremovingthehexwasherscrewsthat fasten them to the deck. See Fig. 7-7. 3. It may also be necessary to loosen the hex nut on the left idler pulley to get the belt off the pulley and around the belt guard. 4. Carefully remove the deck belt from around the two spindle pulleys and the two deck idler pulleys. See Fig. 7-7. Hex Washer Screws Spindle Pulley Belt Cover 1-5/8 inch (min.) Belt Guard Figure 7-6 Deck Idler Pulley CAUTION: If the cutting edge of the blade has previously been sharpened, or if any metal separation is present, replace the blades with new ones. Figure 7-7 5. To place the new belt, begin by routing the belt around the WARNING! A poorly balanced blade will cause two outer spindle pulleys as shown in Fig. 7-7. excessive vibration, may damage to the tractor and/ 6. Thenroutethebeltaroundthetwodeckidlerpulleysasshown or result in personal injury. in Fig. 7-7. 24 Section 7- Service