Can't get drive belt back on PTO Pulley

[karrun]

Hi,
My husband and I removed the deck of our i1046 Cun cadet to sharpen the blades. Now we can't get the belt back on. According to the manual, you should first attach the front deck hanger rod onto the front deck hanger bracket. then the deck rear hanger bracket goes onto the deck lift arms. Then you are supposed to face the front of the mower, reach down and slide the belt onto the right side of the PTO pulley, sliding the belt to the left and rotating the pulley so the belt goes into the grooves in the pulley. Two problems, the PTO pulley doesn't rotate, and the belt tension is so great there is no way to force in onto the pulley. Anyone have any suggestions of something we can do to release the tension?

[karrun]

I guess I should clarify. Its the deck belt, not drive belt.

[john higginbotham]

is the deck tension arm released? if so you may hold the arm more towards the release position to gain needed slack.

[karrun]

I'm not sure what the tension arm is. I've attached a picture of the belt routing. Can you indicate where it is?

[redfish9]

Pull idler pully as far back as you can and create slack in the belt

[BKBrown]

There seem to be two on your deck - the two springs pull the tension arms back to put tension on the belt and keep it tight. When the springs are stretched the tension is released.

[karrun]

Thanks for the help. We were finally able to get the belt on after removing the spring for a tensioner pulley. Getting the spring back on was a real pain, but eventually we did it.
Seems there has to be a better way of doing this. Now I know why this is the first time we've sharpened the blades after 3 years. I don't think we are going to be doing it again any time soon.

[BKBrown]

Can't resist ---

Meg-Mo Blades 2.jpg

On the Ventrac - the mower is out front - lift cover off - pull 2 pins - flip deck up - put in pin to hold it up - remove blades with 3/4" wrench -- sharpen or change -- reverse process --- Easy !

I LOVE my Ventrac !

[rstone]

The tensioner has a 1/2 square slot in it Use a 1/2 inch drive ratchet and it will move very easy

[txzrider]

Can't resist ---

Meg-Mo Blades 2.jpg

On the Ventrac - the mower is out front - lift cover off - pull 2 pins - flip deck up - put in pin to hold it up - remove blades with 3/4" wrench -- sharpen or change -- reverse process --- Easy !

I LOVE my Ventrac !

An just imagine how useful that will be when the Zombiepocalypse happens... just leave it up and mow them down!! On a more serious note, If I could have afforded the ventrac I might have bought one as well... since I could not I bought my Country Clipper which does the same thing.