13
Section 5: Maintenance
Before inspecting, cleaning or servicing the machine, shut off engine, wait for all moving parts to
come to a complete stop, disconnect spark plug wire and move wire away from spark plug.
Remove ignition key on electric start models.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious personal injury or property damage.
WARNING
11. Using a 9/16" wrench and a 7/32"
hex (Allen) wrench, loosen the mount-
ing nut (G, Figure 5-6) and screw on
the idler pulley (I) a few turns, or until
belt is free to slip out between pulley
and belt guide (J). Remove belt.
12. Loosen rear belt guide screw (K,
Figure 5-6) enough to allow belt to be
removed from engine pulley (L).
Remove belt from unit.
Belt Replacement
1. Install belt on engine pulley (L,
Figure 5-6) and retighten rear belt
guide screw (K) securely.
2. Route belt between idler pulley (I,
Figure 5-6) and belt guide (J), to inside
of brake arm (M), and next to die-cast
belt guides (N).
3. Securely tighten the mounting nut
(G, Figure 5-6) and screw in the idler
pulley (I).
4. Securely tighten the idler arm
mounting screw (S, Figure 5-6). After
tightening, check that idler arm is free
to rotate. If not, remove idler arm and
check for debris that may be interfering
with freedom of movement.
5. Look at the spindle head mounting
hole (O, Figure 5-6) and note the
grooves that are cut into the inner
sides of the hole. These grooves were
formed by the splines on the spindle
shaft (E, Figure 5-5).
6. Install the belt on the spindle head
pulley (P, Figure 5-5) and insert the
spindle shaft (E) (with attached spindle
head assembly) into the spindle head
mounting hole (O, Figure 5-6). Rotate
the spindle head assembly to align the
splines on the spindle shaft with the
grooves in the mounting hole. Check
that the belt is still in the pulley groove
and is to the inside of the die-cast belt
guides (N, Figure 5-6).
7. Using a firm push on the spindle
head assembly (Figure 5-6A), seat the
spindle head assembly into the hole.
Check that the threaded end of the
spindle shaft is protruding through the
bottom of the hole.
8. Reinstall the flat washer (D, Figure
5-4), belleville washer (C) and nut (B)
on the spindle shaft. Note that the
dished-in side of the belleville washer
must face the flat washer. Tighten the
nut securely (torque to 50 ft./lbs.),
while checking frequently to ensure
that the spindle head rotates freely. If
the spindle head binds, it could be due
to the belt being pinched between the
spindle head and the belt guides. If so,
remove the spindle head assembly and
repeat steps 5-7.
9. Replace plastic plug (A, Figure 5-4).
10. Reattach the idler arm spring (R,
Figure 5-6) in the hole in the idler arm
(T).
11. A new belt may need to be ad-
justed by following the Adjusting
Trimmer Head Engagement instruc-
tions in this Section.
Figure 5-5
Figure 5-6
E
F
P
R
T
K
N
N
O
M
G
I
S
J
L
Figure 5-6A
