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People,

MTD mower, 1998, 42" mowing deck. Replaced the V belt (removed the entire deck), and now need to attach that 7" or so rear spring to the "hook" on rear axle. It is soooo stiff, how does one do it? tried needle nose pliers, crow bar, etc...

Thanks.

rigoletto said:

People,

MTD mower, 1998, 42" mowing deck. Replaced the V belt (removed the entire deck), and now need to attach that 7" or so rear spring to the "hook" on rear axle. It is soooo stiff, how does one do it? tried needle nose pliers, crow bar, etc...

Thanks.

Click to expand...

Need more info. look under seat for MODEL # ... see EXAMPLES below........ PICS of deck/spring would be very helpful

...

Boobala said:

Need more info. look under seat for MODEL # ... see EXAMPLES below........ PICS of deck/spring would be very helpful

View attachment 40871...View attachment 40872

Click to expand...

It is MTD 13A4667 F118. Will try to get a picture.

rigoletto said:

It is MTD 13A4667 F118. Will try to get a picture.

Click to expand...

Spring is called extension spring, this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MTD-732-05...795866?hash=item1eeb4e4bda:g:fyUAAOSwWv5Z6lG-

ok, WHILE iVE BEEN WAITING iVE BEEN PLAYING AROUND WITH THE SPRING, AND NO WAY i CAN PULL WITH SO MUCH FORCE AS TO HOOK IT TO THE BRACKET . I know some people here must have done this before, as it is the only way to replace the V belt- the one that turns the 2 blade pulleys. So, ive come up with an idea- I will drain the gas tank, and motor oil, then turn the entire mower upside down, and get a better leverage vantage point. Worth a try as no other way.

rigoletto said:

ok, WHILE iVE BEEN WAITING iVE BEEN PLAYING AROUND WITH THE SPRING, AND NO WAY i CAN PULL WITH SO MUCH FORCE AS TO HOOK IT TO THE BRACKET . I know some people here must have done this before, as it is the only way to replace the V belt- the one that turns the 2 blade pulleys. So, ive come up with an idea- I will drain the gas tank, and motor oil, then turn the entire mower upside down, and get a better leverage vantage point. Worth a try as no other way.

Click to expand...

I tie a cord/small rope to the spring and a loop handle for my hand and pull. It's best to have a second person to either do the pulling or make sure the belt stays on the pulleys and to to connect the spring. You can just cut the rope if it's on the wrong side of the post to slide off the spring rather than bothering to untie it.

Wow, thats a great method! I will try it tomorrow!!

Tie the mower so it cannot scoot, tie a rope to the spring, rope to a come along attached to a tree or trailer hitch, or other relatively fixed object. Pull with the come along until the spring will almost hook, pull sideways to hook the spring, release mower or come along, and cut the rope free of the spring. Wear face shield or good safety glasses while anything is under tension.

I have a lot of spring hooks (Google them ) most home made.
So it is a matter of finding one where I can put both feet against the axle and then pull the spring with leg / back muscles.

Have used the "come along" method and a pry bar with a tie wire loop.
After a while found it was easier to attach the spring first then pull the deck forward to mount the deck.

Set the deck in mow mode also as this position has less tension on the deck spring.
And you do not have to remove the spring to replace the belt but a bit late for that now.

I use a Trampoline Spring Pull Tool

I use large needle nose Vice Grips. No spring is too stout to pull that way.

Darryl G said:

I tie a cord/small rope to the spring and a loop handle for my hand and pull. It's best to have a second person to either do the pulling or make sure the belt stays on the pulleys and to to connect the spring. You can just cut the rope if it's on the wrong side of the post to slide off the spring rather than bothering to untie it.

Click to expand...

THIS is the best way I have found to do this also... I learned it doing my cars brake springs on drum brakes ..... :thumbsup:

reynoldston said:

I use a Trampoline Spring Pull Tool

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This is a good idea reynoldston. I have this same mower and several years ago I became tired of dealing with this spring. I took a long narrow screw driver heated the tip and bent it into a curl to hook to the spring. Then a 8 inch piece of 1/4" bar stock, cut a notch in the middle of the bar so it would slide over the screw driver just below the handle. Removed all the sharp edges and burrs on the bar stock so it would not damage my hands.The screw driver has a hard plastic handle and so far has stayed attached to the screw driver. I place both feet on the rear axle and pull back like heck until spring is attached. I also place an old seat cushion behind me in case something gives and my head does not crash backward. This method has worked well for me. Hope it helps. "Red" Cox

John Fitzgerald said:

Tie the mower so it cannot scoot, tie a rope to the spring, rope to a come along attached to a tree or trailer hitch, or other relatively fixed object. Pull with the come along until the spring will almost hook, pull sideways to hook the spring, release mower or come along, and cut the rope free of the spring. Wear face shield or good safety glasses while anything is under tension.

Click to expand...

I like your method. I just wanted to add that a ratchet strap can be substituted for a come-along for short distance pulling.

a rope or a brake spring tool if it fits is a good solution to most spring issues - just watch your eyes and hands if the spring gets loose.

Darryl G said:

I tie a cord/small rope to the spring and a loop handle for my hand and pull. It's best to have a second person to either do the pulling or make sure the belt stays on the pulleys and to to connect the spring. You can just cut the rope if it's on the wrong side of the post to slide off the spring rather than bothering to untie it.

Click to expand...

When you don't have someone to help, trying using this technique; I put the spring on first, tension it by tying a rope around the pulley arm and pulling it so it is fully extended, then tie it off on a secure spot on the mower (I use the rear guard). Find the most accessible pulley on the deck and remove the cover guard. Slide the belt over this (last) pulley whist rotating it if required.

stevestd said:

When you don't have someone to help, trying using this technique; I put the spring on first, tension it by tying a rope around the pulley arm and pulling it so it is fully extended, then tie it off on a secure spot on the mower (I use the rear guard). Find the most accessible pulley on the deck and remove the cover guard. Slide the belt over this (last) pulley whist rotating it if required.

Click to expand...

Good idea. I've done something similar but I pull the belt with one hand to extend the arm after putting the spring on. Success depends on just how snug the belt is because the outside of the pulley is larger than the inside and how stiff the spring is. A word of warning about rotating the belt onto the pulley; make sure there are no sharp burrs/edges on the outside of the pulley first! I nicked up a brand new belt once doing that.