Repairs How to remove PTO clutch to change drive belt on RZT-42

[Pete.S]

My drive belt is slipping and I have a new belt. I can jack up the mower, remove the mower deck and then when I try to take the PTO clutch off the engine shaft I have to figure a way to keep the engine from turning over or holding the shaft still. The upper half of the PTO clutch is held in place by a bracket welded to the bottom of the frame. The bracket apparently keeps the top half from spinning when the clutch is engaged and does not look like it is supposed to be moved or removed. Any ideas or experience with this?
Pete

 

[Rivets]

Most of the time you shouldn't have to remove the clutch when replacing the belt. If you have to remove it, it is not that hard to do. All you have to do is remove the center bolt and if the clutch was install properly with a little persuasion it should drop right down. Your thoughts on the bracket are correct, but that part will is part of the clutch itself and will drop down also. Make sure that that you line up the key on the inside of the clutch and the bracket when you reinstall it.

 

[Pete.S]

Wadda ya need to do to keep the engine shaft from turning whilst you are trying to unbolt the lower half? I just don't want to fatally hurt anything.

 

[Rivets]

The crankshaft will not turn while you remove the bolt, because the bracket acts as a stop.

 

[Pete.S]

The crankshaft will not turn while you remove the bolt, because the bracket acts as a stop.

But, it does turn when I try to remove the bolt. What I will try next is to energize the clutch and see if I can loosen the bolt.

 

[bearyb]

Wadda ya need to do to keep the engine shaft from turning whilst you are trying to unbolt the lower half? I just don't want to fatally hurt anything.

There's an old trick I learned that I've used several times: Remove a spark plug and feed a rope into the cylinder. Make sure the engine is cold before you begin. I would use a synthetic rope (like nylon) to avoid leaving behind any fibers. Once you've fed in all the rope you can (don't force it too much, and make sure you aren't knocking any dirt into the hole as you go) you can start loosening the bolt. Just remember to leave some "slack" space in the cylinder when it comes time to remove the rope. Assuming you won't be removing it until the bolt is re-tightened, this means you should crank it counterclockwise a little after you're done, then remove the rope. It's inexpensive to do and works like a charm!

 

[jimk9945]

Most of the time you shouldn't have to remove the clutch when replacing the belt. If you have to remove it, it is not that hard to do. All you have to do is remove the center bolt and if the clutch was install properly with a little persuasion it should drop right down. Your thoughts on the bracket are correct, but that part will is part of the clutch itself and will drop down also. Make sure that that you line up the key on the inside of the clutch and the bracket when you reinstall it.

Replaced mine today.never thought of trying without dropping clutch.Thanks I''ll try that next time

 

[shiftsuper175607]

My drive belt is slipping and I have a new belt. I can jack up the mower, remove the mower deck and then when I try to take the PTO clutch off the engine shaft I have to figure a way to keep the engine from turning over or holding the shaft still. The upper half of the PTO clutch is held in place by a bracket welded to the bottom of the frame. The bracket apparently keeps the top half from spinning when the clutch is engaged and does not look like it is supposed to be moved or removed. Any ideas or experience with this?
Pete

There is a youtube video I watched where the guy took the top screen off and put a socket up there to hold it.

Does anyone know if an air impact wrench will break it loose? The hammer effect loosing the bolt...
It works on the harmonic balancer on a car.

 

[bertsmobile1]

That is what I use but again you should not have to remove the clutch, just the clutch control wires and occasionally a belt keeper.

 

[jimk9945]

Most of the time you shouldn't have to remove the clutch when replacing the belt. If you have to remove it, it is not that hard to do. All you have to do is remove the center bolt and if the clutch was install properly with a little persuasion it should drop right down. Your thoughts on the bracket are correct, but that part will is part of the clutch itself and will drop down also. Make sure that that you line up the key on the inside of the clutch and the bracket when you reinstall it.

use a lock washer.I didnt and it fell off.