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- Sep 7, 2024
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Model 53AA5A7M710 Serial 1H024Z00013. 360 hrs.
This past week I have had an interesting zero turn that the hydro drive totally quit on. The nylon tensioner pulley locked up and the drive belt melted it in half.
It goes without saying that the deck has to be removed before digging into one of these
The design of this unit complicates the repair because the drive motor portion is actually in its own cradle below the engine and rear operator platform.
The rear of the machine has to be raised about 3 feet off the ground then the rear wheels removed. After that both park brake cables are disconnected.
From there 3 bolts are taken out of each side of the drive cradle while leaving just the forward ones on each side in place. This allows the cradle to swing down for access. The entire cradle does not have to be dropped free from the machine.
The drive tensioner arm has a spring and an anchor bolt that has to be removed from the main platform where the engine is mounted. As the bolt is loosened the tension on the spring is reduced. Once that is done, the tensioner pulley can be removed and the belt taken off of the drive motor pullies.
I have parts ordered, but I found out while searching that the drive belt is a specific gauge fit, so be aware of this if you have to deal with one of these. Don't fall for a cheap "it will fit" belt. Along with that the original drive belt nylon idler pulley has been superseded to an improved metal version. Reference Parts Tree.
Hope this helps someone.
This past week I have had an interesting zero turn that the hydro drive totally quit on. The nylon tensioner pulley locked up and the drive belt melted it in half.
It goes without saying that the deck has to be removed before digging into one of these
The design of this unit complicates the repair because the drive motor portion is actually in its own cradle below the engine and rear operator platform.
The rear of the machine has to be raised about 3 feet off the ground then the rear wheels removed. After that both park brake cables are disconnected.
From there 3 bolts are taken out of each side of the drive cradle while leaving just the forward ones on each side in place. This allows the cradle to swing down for access. The entire cradle does not have to be dropped free from the machine.
The drive tensioner arm has a spring and an anchor bolt that has to be removed from the main platform where the engine is mounted. As the bolt is loosened the tension on the spring is reduced. Once that is done, the tensioner pulley can be removed and the belt taken off of the drive motor pullies.
I have parts ordered, but I found out while searching that the drive belt is a specific gauge fit, so be aware of this if you have to deal with one of these. Don't fall for a cheap "it will fit" belt. Along with that the original drive belt nylon idler pulley has been superseded to an improved metal version. Reference Parts Tree.
Hope this helps someone.