Blower and Drive Kit

48in, 52in, 60in, or 72in E-Z Vac™ for Z Master® Mower

Model No. 78551-Serial No. 402500000 and Up

Model No. 78552-Serial No. 404691666 and Up

Model No. 78553-Serial No. 402784468 and Up

Model No. 78554-Serial No. 402433838 and Up

Note: Determine the left and right sides of the machine from the normal operating position.

Installation

Preparing the Machine

  1. Park the machine on a level surface.

  2. Move the motion-control levers to the NEUTRAL-LOCK position.

  3. Engage the parking brake.

  4. Shut off the engine and remove the key.

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Figure 1

Removing the Existing Belt Cover, Belt, and Bracket

Note: Clean the area around the belt cover before removing.

  1. Lower the mower deck to the lowest height-of-cut position.

  2. Remove the right belt cover (Figure 2).

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    Figure 2

    1. Push tab down.
    2. Remove belt cover.

  3. For 48-inch and 52-inch mowers only: Loosen the bolts holding the right spindle to the mower deck (Figure 3).

    Note: This will allow access to the nuts holding the right belt cover bracket to the mower deck.

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    Figure 3

    48-inch and 52-inch mower deck shown

    1. Right belt cover bracket
    2. Washer
    3. Flange nut
    4. Loosen these bolts.

  4. Remove the existing right belt cover bracket (Figure 3 and Figure 4).

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    Figure 4

    60-inch and 72-inch mower deck shown

    1. Right belt cover bracket
    2. Washer
    3. Flange nut

  5. Store the right belt cover, bracket, and hardware for later use if you remove the bagger blower and pulley.

  6. Remove and retain the deck belt.

Installing the Pulley Assembly and Belt

Parts needed for this procedure:

Pulley assembly1
Pulley-plate mount—for machines with an aluminum spindle only1
Flange nut (3/8 inch)—for machines with an aluminum spindle only3

For Machines with an Aluminum Spindle

  1. Remove the top nut, washer, and sheave from the spindle (Figure 5).

    Note: Note the orientation of the sheave when you remove it from the spindle to ensure that you install it properly later in the process.

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    Figure 5

    1. Top nut
    2. Washer
    3. Sheave
    4. Spindle

  2. Insert the pulley-plate mount studs into the holes in the sheave (Figure 6).

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    Figure 6

    1. Sheave
    2. Pulley-plate mount studs

  3. Install the sheave assembly to the spindle using the washer and top nut (Figure 7).

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    Figure 7

    1. Top nut
    2. Washer
    3. Sheave assembly
    4. Spindle

  4. Torque the top nut to 176 to 217 N∙m (130 to 160 ft-lb).

    Note: Ensure that the sheave spins freely.

  5. Align the new pulley assembly so that the openings fit over the studs (Figure 8).

  6. Turn the pulley to lock it into position (Figure 8).

  7. After the new pulley assembly is in position, install the nuts to secure the new pulley assembly (Figure 8).

    Torque the 3 nuts to 28 to 34 N∙m (21 to 25 ft-lb).

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    Figure 8

    1. Pulley assembly
    2. Nut
    3. Stud

  8. Install the deck belt.

For Machines with Bolts

  1. Loosen, but do not remove, the tapping bolts on the existing mower-deck pulley (Figure 9).

    Note: There should be a 5 mm (3/16 inch) clearance between the bolt head and pulley.

  2. Align the new pulley assembly so that the openings fit over the pulley bolt heads (Figure 9).

  3. Turn the pulley to lock it into position (Figure 9).

    Note: If the pulley does not turn, loosen the bolts more to raise the bolt heads and allow the pulley to lock into position.

  4. After the new pulley assembly is in position, tighten the existing bolts to secure new pulley assembly.

    Note: Torque the bolts to 28 to 34 N∙m (21 to 25 ft-lb).

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    Figure 9

    1. Pulley assembly
    2. Mower-deck pulley
    3. Locking slots
    4. Bolt heads
    5. Clearance—5 mm (3/16 inch)

  5. Install the deck belt.

For Machines without Bolts

  1. Remove the nuts on the existing mower-deck pulley (Figure 10).

  2. Install the new pulley assembly onto the mower-deck pulley bolts (Figure 10).

  3. Turn the pulley to lock it into position (Figure 10).

  4. After the new pulley assembly is in position, install the nuts to secure new pulley assembly.

    Note: Torque the nuts to 28 to 34 N∙m (21 to 25 ft-lb).

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    Figure 10

    1. Pulley assembly
    2. Mower-deck pulley
    3. Locking slots
    4. Nuts

  5. Install the deck belt.

Installing the New Belt Cover Bracket

48-inch and 52-inch Mowers

Parts needed for this procedure:

Belt cover bracket1
Carriage bolt (1/4 x 3/4 inches)2
Locknut (1/4 inch)2

Install the belt cover bracket with 2 carriage bolts (1/4 x 3/4 inches) and 2 locknuts (1/4 inch) as shown in Figure 11.

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Figure 11

  1. Locknut (1/4 inch)
  2. Bracket for 48-inch and 52-inch mower decks
  3. Carriage bolt (1/4 x 3/4 inches)

Installing the New Belt Cover Bracket

60-inch and 72-inch Mowers

Parts needed for this procedure:

Belt cover bracket1
Carriage bolt (1/4 x 3/4 inches)2
Locknut (1/4 inch)2

Install the belt cover bracket with 2 carriage bolts (1/4 x 3/4 inches) and 2 locknuts (1/4 inch) as shown in Figure 12.

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Figure 12

  1. Locknut (1/4 inch)
  2. Bracket for 60-inch and 72-inch mower decks
  3. Carriage bolt (1/4 x 3/4 inches)

Installing the Blower Assembly, Bagger Belt, Spring and Blower-Belt Cover

Parts needed for this procedure:

Blower assembly1
Bagger belt1
Blower belt cover1
Spring1

Refer to the bagger Operator's Manual for the correct procedure to install the blower, bagger belt, spring, and blower-belt cover.