How to Replace Exmark Mower Deck Parts
Eventually, you will have to repair your lawn mower just like you would have to repair any other piece of equipment. My Exmark mower makes mowing my lawn a pleasure. When I mow at the end of the day, I use my headphones to listen to some music to help me wind down after a long working day.
As much as I love mowing it is not always a stress reliever for me, especially when I accidentally hit an object in the yard, especially when I accidentally hit something that causes extensive damage such as having to replace the cutter housing or when I have to spend money on a new set of blades because I bent one.
As a homeowner, you have the choice of bringing your lawn mower to a local repair shop or repairing it yourself. It will be my pleasure to explain the steps involved in removing and replacing the components of an Exmark deck.
Exmark Deck Idler Pulleys
On the Exmark deck as well as on the Idler assembly arm, you will find Exmark Deck Idler Pulleys. The Idler Pulleys are located on the deck of the Exmark mower and on the Idler Arm of the mower. They are of varying sizes and are mounted on both sides of the mower.
How do I find the idle pulley?
There is a pulley known as the idler pulley that has a well defined groove on the wheel that houses the idler pulley’s wheel. This mechanism keeps the belt aligned with the tensioner and the accessory pulleys so that it does not slip or loosen. Although it is an easy-to-use design, without it, there’s a very high chance that the serpentine belt will not align properly, since the accessory location on the engine leaves a lot of room for errors.
Problematic idler pulleys: How to tell?
The mower deck must be removed to inspect all the pulleys. It is a wise idea to remove the mandrel covers and the belt next. Then, check all the pulleys when the machine is spinning for any play and roughness. If you find any signs of wear on the inside of the pulleys or any other signs of damage, make sure to check them out. The pulley should be replaced if any of the following signs are observed.
There are a few signs that your idler is wearing out
There is a high chance that the idler pulley is worn on the surface or the bearings are squeaking. There is a possibility that your dashboard may be illuminated by the engine warning light. It is possible that you will not be able to use the power steering. Overheating your engine is a common issue that you may encounter.
Idler Pulley Replacement Time?
One idler pulley can be replaced in an hour or two at your local repair shop. The serpentine belt system can be completely replaced while changing only one idler pulley if you change the tensioner pulley, serpentine belt, and idler pulley at the same time.
It will take you about four hours to replace all the parts if you do the job at home. If you do this at home, plan your time accordingly. There are a few tools and parts you will need in order to do this:
- To replace the idler pulley on your vehicle
- Pulley used to tension tensioners
- Belt replacement for serpentine drive
- Socket wrench sets in a variety of sizes
- Wrench for torque measurement
- In the case of ramps or jack stands,
A guide to replacing Exmark idlers
If you were to replace one idler pulley at your local repair shop, the cost would be about an hour or two. The labor cost will likely increase by just one hour if all the idler pulleys are changed with a tensioner pulley and serpentine belt at the same time. However, if you have all the idler pulleys replaced with a serpentine belt, it will likely add just one hour to the labor costs.
Why Does My Spark Plug Boot Stick?
It is critical to coat the plug wire, plug cap, and plug wire terminals with dielectric grease in order to prevent electrical contact between the three parts.
Grab hold of the plug wire using a pair of pliers and twist the wire around until it reaches the end of the plug.
You can help disconnect the wire from the plug by rotating the wire as you pull it on.
Deck belts need to be removed
In terms of mower belts, there isn’t any specific period of time during which they need to be replaced. Due to different operating conditions, it is possible for some belts to last for an extended period of time. There is one thing for sure, though, and that is that the more you use the mower, the sooner you will need to consider having it rebalanced. This will enable you to replace it with a new one.
What is the most efficient way to raise a deck?
You will need to adjust the cutting height of the blade with your wrench if it is not at the same height as the cutting height you have selected. Changing the rear lift rod nut will allow you to raise the deck by turning it clockwise while adjusting the rear lift rod nut.
Locknut, spacer, and pulley install
As you slide the carriage bolt through the hole in the mower deck, make sure that the carriage bolt is aligned with the carriage bolt hole. Using a 3/8 wrench, loosely tighten the nut with a 3/8 wrench on the top side of the deck. This will keep all the parts in place, and then slide the spacer over the bolt and place the pulley on top of it.
Carriage bolts should be square and tightened
Make sure that the carriage bolt is securely fastened by tightening the nut until the bolt moves. You will need a pair of vice grips in case there is still enough thread showing on the end of the threads after you have elongated them. The teeth of the vice grips should be parallel to the threads if there is still enough thread left to show. As you tighten the nut, you will need to hold the bolt this way while adjusting it to the desired tightness.
Belt Covers and Foot Pan should be removed
On Exmark zero-turn decks except the entry-level Quest and older models, the belt covers and foot pan cannot be removed with tools
You will need to locate the belt decal on your belt
The belt routed around the pulleys of your mower deck is shown on a decal that Exmark attaches to your mower deck. Before you remove your Exmark belt, you may want to take a picture of the decal if you have trouble finding it or it has worn off the deck.
Your deck belt needs to be removed
It is recommended that you change your belt before mowing your lawn as most Exmark mowers use a self-tensioning spring that does not have to be removed to change the belt, while some older units and Quest mowers require you to remove a tension spring.
An Exmark mower deck belt should last for how long?
Generally, mower belts need to be replaced at some point in time, but there is no specific timeframe. Due to different operating conditions, some belts may last for a longer period of time than others. Regardless of how much you use the lawn mower and how often you clean it, there is one thing that is certain. The more you use it, the sooner you will need to consider replacing it.
In Summary/Conclusion
A seizing pulley will cause the serpentine belt to wear out more rapidly due to increased friction and frictional forces. The rough edges of the pulley on a machine can actually grab the belt on the pulley, causing parts of the belt to fall off. Power steering, engine coolant, and air conditioning can all be lost when your serpentine belt fails. Getting into an accident can result from engine overheating. As a result, if you want to replace the parts on your Exmark mower deck, you should follow the steps that will tell you how to do it.
