Tag: zero-turn

How to Replace the Deck Belt on Your Troy-Bilt Mustang 42'' XP Zero Turn Riding Mower

A worn or damaged belt can prevent your unit from operating properly. If you find that you're having trouble operating your unit as intended, inspect the deck/belts for any excessive damage or wear that may be obstructing the efficient operation of your mower.

Before servicing any power equipment, follow the safety instructions laid out in your owner's manual. Make sure the equipment is completely stopped, cooled down, and that no parts are moving before attempting to service your equipment.

  • Step 1: Remove the deck.
  • Step 2: Take the belt covers off by removing the hex washer screws that are securing them in place.
  • Step 3: Take a picture of the configuration/routing of the deck and belt to use for future reference before removing any components.
  • Step 4: Remove the hex screws and flange lock nuts that are securing the two idler pulleys to the deck and idler arm.
  • Step 5: Remove the two idler pulleys.
  • Step 6: Keep any hardware that you remove off to the side.
  • Step 7: Take the belt off of the spindle pulleys.
  • Step 8: Reference the picture you took earlier whenever necessary. Install the new belt around the spindle pulleys.
  • Step 9: Reinstall the belt covers.
  • Step 10: Put the belt around the idler pulleys that you removed, ensuring that the “V” side is on the inside.
  • Step 11: Install and tighten all previously removed hardware to secure the assembly.
  • Step 12: Route the belt using the picture you took as a reference.
  • Step 13: Install the deck

For information about safety, warranty, and your specific model, read and be familiar with your owner’s manual.

Related Products and Links

How to Install the Mower Deck onto Your Troy-Bilt Mustang 42'' XP Zero Turn Riding Mower

Follow the steps listed below to learn how to properly install your mower deck onto your Troy-Bilt mustang. Proper installation will help to save time and prevent your mower from becoming unnecessarily damaged.

Before servicing any power equipment, follow the safety instructions laid out in your owner's manual. Make sure the equipment is completely stopped, cooled down, and that no parts are moving before attempting to service your equipment.

  • Step 1: Set the deck lift handle to its highest possible position.
  • Step 2: Place the deck under the tractor from the right side. Line up the deck hanger brackets and deck lift arms as you do so.
  • Step 3: Set the deck lift handle to its lowest position.
  • Step 4: Pull out the deck release pins and move the deck so that the holes on the deck lift arms and the pins are aligned.
  • Step 5: Push the pins in through the lift arms and secure the arms in the rear hanger bracket slots.
  • Step 6: Install the front deck lift rod. Secure it with the cotter pin.
  • Step 7: Check the deck to make sure the V belt is in the spindle pulleys.
  • Step 8: Route the belt beneath the tractor frame and above the transmission tubes toward the PTO pulley that’s located on the bottom of the engine.
  • Step 9: Bring the deck up to the position that provides the most horizontal belt position between the deck idler pulleys and the PTO pulley.
  • Step 10: Be sure that the belt is in the spindle pulleys and that the backside of the belt is against both the fixed and movable idler pulleys.
  • Step 11: Make sure the belt isn’t twisted. Reach under the tractor from the back. Grab the belt and pull it toward the PTO pulley.
  • Step 12: Pull the right side of the belt backwards and place the V side of it into the PTO pulley.
  • Step 13: Hold the belt and pulley together. Rotate the pulley to the left until the belt is fully rolled onto the PTO pulley.

For information about safety, warranty, and your specific model, read and be familiar with your owner’s manual.

Related Products and Links

How to Remove the Mower Deck from Your Troy-Bilt Mustang 42'' XP Zero Turn Riding Mower

Removing the deck from your riding mower is the first step in many important processes related to maintaining and servicing your mower such as removing/replacing belts and caring for the blades. Learning how to properly remove your deck will save time and hassle.

Before servicing any power equipment, follow the safety instructions laid out in your owner's manual. Make sure the equipment is completely stopped, cooled down, and that no parts are moving before attempting to service your equipment.

  • Step 1: Park your mower on a level surface.
  • Step 2: Disengage the PTO.
  • Step 3: Turn the engine off.
  • Step 4: Set the parking brake.
  • Step 5: Set the deck gauge wheels/rollers to their highest setting.
  • Step 6: Raise the deck to the position with the most horizontal run of the belt between the deck idler pulleys and the PTO pulley on the bottom of the engine.
  • Step 7: Pivot the idler bracket and movable idler pulley away from the backside of the V belt far enough to allow you to lift the belt up and over the idler pulley.
  • Step 8: Slide the belt off of the PTO pulley from behind the tractor.
  • Step 9: Take the cotter pin out of the front deck lift rod.
  • Step 10: Slide the deck lift rod out of the front hanger bracket.
  • Step 11: Find the LH and RH deck release pins on each side of the deck.
  • Step 12: Pull the release pins out and release the deck from the lift arms.
  • Step 13: Put the deck lift handle in its highest mowing position.
  • Step 14: Slide the deck out from under the tractor.

For information about safety, warranty, and your specific model, read and be familiar with your owner’s manual.

Related Products and Links

How to Adjust the Right and Left Drive Control Levers on Your Troy-Bilt Mustang 42'' XP Zero Turn Riding Mower

Adjust the right and left drive control levers to suit your ideal operating position. Each lever has two height positions and can be moved forward and backward to suit the operator. Remember to set all removed hardware aside while working on your unit.

Before servicing any power equipment, follow the safety instructions laid out in your owner's manual. Make sure the equipment is completely stopped, cooled down, and that no parts are moving before attempting to service your equipment.

  • Step 1: Remove the upper hex screw and flat washer that are securing the lever to the pivot bracket.
  • Step 2: Support the control lever so that it doesn’t fall. Remove the hex screw and flat washer from the bottom of the control lever and lower arm.
  • Step 3: Position the control lever so that it is aligned with the other set of holes in the lower arm.
  • Step 4: Insert the hex screw through the flat washer and into the lower arm.
  • Step 5: Insert the hex screw through the flat washer and through the control lever slot and the lower arm. Don’t tighten immediately.
  • Step 6: Rotate the control lever forward or backward until it reaches your desired position.
  • Step 7: Tighten the hex screw once the control lever is in its adjusted position.
  • Step 8: Repeat steps 6 and 7 with the other control lever so that it is in the same position. Both levers should be even with each other while in the neutral position.

For information about safety, warranty, and your specific model, read and be familiar with your owner’s manual.

Related Products and Links

How to Adjust the Front Gauge Wheels on Your Troybilt Mustang 42'' XP Zero Turn Riding Mower

The front gauge wheels should be about ¼’’- ½’’ above the ground when the deck is in its desired position. These wheels serve as an anti-scalp feature and they shouldn't touch the ground.

Before servicing any power equipment, follow the safety instructions laid out in your owner's manual. Make sure the equipment is completely stopped, cooled down, and that no parts are moving before attempting to service your equipment.

  • Step 1: Set the deck to your desired height setting using the lift handle.
  • Step 2: Check the distance of the gauge wheel from the ground.
  • Step 3: If the gauge wheels are near or touching the ground, they should be raised. If they’re more than ½’’ above the ground, they should be lowered.
  • Step 4: Remove the lock nut that’s securing one of the front gauge wheel shoulder screws to the deck.
  • Step 5: Remove the gauge wheel and should screw.
  • Step 6: Insert the shoulder screw into the index hole on the front gauge wheel bracket that will give the gauge wheel a ¼’’- ½’’ clearance above the ground.
  • Step 7: Adjust the other front gauge wheel using the same respective index hole on the opposite front gauge wheel bracket.

For information about safety, warranty, and your specific model, read and be familiar with your owner’s manual.

Related Products and Links