MTD Yard Machines 38 inch mower deck installation and removal.
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- čas přidán 6. 05. 2016
- This is a simple step by step to install a 38 inch mower deck on a MTD Yard Machines lawn tractor. I had to convert my lawn tractor from snow plow to lawn tractor. You can use these instructions if you need to service the drive belt or any pulleys or mower cutting blades. If you have a loose belt this info might help (regarding the spring installation)
Missing springs video link at end of this video if you need help with locations
Best video I've seen by far helped me perfect 👌🏾
Awesome! Pinned your comment to the top of the pile ;)
Purchased this to replace a guide pulley czcams.com/users/postUgkxO9seYZjlnuP5UvMkb7osQW3WxPVeSnPk on our John Deere x304 snowblower. As I stated in the title, it is just about perfect. The stock pulley has a spacer at the bottom. I used four washers to emulate said spacer, and it works perfectly now. Great product, and great price especially if compared to typical JD prices.
This video is exactly what I needed to put my deck back together. Thanks so much for making it
Your video was a life saver for us. Had the deck off for about 2 weeks and could not remember which holes the back legs went into. And did not know that the PTO spring had to go in a certain hole for the 38 inch mower. Great video and you explained everything so well. Very helpful
This video was beautifully done!! It helped me out of a dark place. Thank you.
Great vid, bookmarked since I'll be doing all my belts at the same time this spring.
Thank you, this saved me a lot of time and no small injuries.
Thank. you. Working on an old MTD and your first close-up deck shot answered my question! 8^)
Thank you very much, Have the same make and model, Very helpful, I was struggling with the belt. Not the first time I put it in the wrong hole... LOL
Thank you for that video, I took my 38’’ deck off and when I went to install it again, I had this linkage for the belt brake but couldn’t remember where it went and how it operated your video cleared it up. This was a great help.
This was VERY helpful in fixing my deck..Clear instruction and great visual. Changed the belt myself 2 years ago and was never able to reinstall the deck properly until this. THANKS!
Great video. You made it very easy and clear. Got mower without a deck. But had the right deck sitting in my shed. I just could not remember how it went back on. You save me a hold lot of time and needless frustration. Thank You👍👍
Thanks, very professional and easy to follow. Wish you lived next door!
I've watched quite a few videos on deck belt installation but yours is the most decisive one which helped me on my Yard Machine 638rl. Thank you. And I screen shot it as well👍
I'm glad this video helped. I love this lawn tractor.
Great video, also works for the MTD RF125 38" deck, although the European model has an annoying plastic guard which you have to remove before you can disengage the cutter drive cable and the front belt guard.
Great, clear and very descriptive video. Just took mine off today and watched this video to make sure I get the installation correct. Very helpful!
Awesome the helped me. I was fighting with the mower I got and was having issues with the belt not being tight enough. Turns out the deck with installed without the the lifting brackets and was directly attached to the rods.
This video is the only way I I was able to figure out how to put on my Spring extensions being that the MTD Yard Machine diagram for this model shows it just floating in space with no connecting points. After multiple attempts at talking to their customer service I gave up and hit CZcams and found your video thank you man you saved my mower
Flaco7483 cool..... I made a spring only video as well for broken springs in the mtd playlist.....
Super helpful video! I bought this mower used for $75 needing a new deck belt and steering shaft. I printed out the illustrated parts manual but it's so much easier to visualize on video!! Thank you so much for making this!!!!!
Yah I know the manual is not detailed on the spring and belt locations. Glad this video helped you out. One day im going to do the transmission belt and will film that too. I love this tractor. Still runs amazing after all these years. Got mine for 999 bucks. Looking now they are selling new at 1500-1800 bucks. Prices have jumped high over the past few years. I bought this for the bag leaf system and the plow. If you reinforce the frame as shown in one of my other videos this thing can push lots of snow. Had 0 slippage problems with the transmission or brakes. Deck cuts perfect and the bagger system stores leaves. I get 40 plus recycle bags worth of leaves each fall so this saves my back big time.
Where can I find the parts manual?
@@Ben-we7vrMTD website. Lift your seat to lawn tractor and the serial number to your model is there. Type it in on the website and you can get the repair parts manual. My belt use to be loose as well. Did you put the spring in the 38' deck hole? MAybe the belt you purchased was labeled wrong. these things have a very limited tolerance to be loose or tight. The pulleys only engage so far and the handle that pulls the spring back to swing the arm on the pulleys only goes so far. So the belt must be the right size. Good luck.
The front bar has a nut that holds the front of the deck. You can tighten it and force the whole deck forward and this might be enough to tighten the slack on the belts around the pulleys. Just a thought.
Belt is from when I bought it. Also, the blade runs even when I disengage. The motor is from another mower but that's shouldn't affect this.
Clear instructions and well filmed. Made the work on my mower easy
Man you are very patient person and full of detail thanks for step by step advise
Thanks very helpfull , especially the 42'' vs 38'' belt tension spring hole
Great video! It's a different model than mine but close enough. And his video is so good that I am able to reattach my deck that someone else took off and I had no clue where things went.
Thanks for the amazing work I fallow you step by step and everything was good thanks again
Simple and very helpful , thank you man ✊
Thanks mate 👍, very helpful video.
Help me out a lot
Thanks for the video
Thank you so much! I've seen several videos now and they were not helpful. I needed to place the spring in the 38" hole and fixed my problem. Keep up the great work
michael llewellyn glad to help
You saved me so much grief. Bless.😃
Glad to help. CZcams has helped me out too. Just returning the favor
Great video I have a bolens lawn tractor and this is the first time doing and work to the deck the video was very informative and it helped me greatly install my deck.
For those who don't already know these Bolens are identical to the Yardman my MTD
Thanks For The help i had a MTD 125 and this guide worked Thanks
Thank you very much for your very nice tutorial for the reinstalation
i was just blocking so i searched on youtube and i found your video which is very well done ........ thanks again
Glad to help.....
couldn't be any better explained so well
Very good video just what I needed. Thank you.
I replaced the whole mower deck and when i raise the deck only the back goes up? Any ideas on why this is happening? Any help would be much appreciated. I seem to have a large spring similar to the one you show to disengage/engage the mower belt. It has a braded wire that is frayed and has some serious bends in this wire. Would you think this could be what is needed to raise the front of the deck?
What purpose does spring parallel to the clutch engagement cable spring serve (8:30)? Wondering if I need to replace it to achieve good belt tension. Also, does the clutch engagement cable ever stretch out because I seem to have everything in its place (new belt, etc) but still have loads of travel and a slipping deck belt. Thx
Thanks so much, I have the exact mower and your video helped me tremendously!!
Ernie K great product. Falls here.....time to put bagger on for leafs and plow ;)
gereral1 hello gereral did your 38” deck come with all the components on it already or did you have to buy everything separate and assemble to the deck? And if so where did you get it because everywhere I’ve checked it’s only the deck shell. Thanks in advance 👍🏼
Great video. thanks for doing it.
@ :36 , can you please tell me if the bolt with large black washer to the RIGHT of the Pulley on the LEFT of screen is a special bolt that allows for movement of the bracket its attached to (like partially threaded) ? My dads yard man mower is missing this bolt and i used a regular bolt and nut but then it didnt seem right. Its a second hand mower my brother bought and has been sitting up and I'm trying to get it running. So wondering what type of bolt that is and is there another big washer or spacer underneath it being held by the nut ? Thanks for your help.
Man after 2 days working on my mower, you video saved me from putting a gun to my head. I looked everywhere for this information and you gave it to me. Thanks
Thanks. Helped me out.
Very helpful bro, thanks!
Could you do an amended video or comment, of where the correct positioning of the tension springs are on the deck. There appears to be three springs (including the pivot arm pulling spring) and mine are possibly missing or fallen off.
I have sorted all out and the mower pivot is in the hole you have and not the one displayed in the parts illustration....YAH!! I have now ordered the missing spring and the other spring does attach to the brake bracket....Thanks for all your help!
Glad to help
This is a great video. The part to keep the front deck level fell off of my mower and I can't find it. What is best place to order it and what size nut and washer do I order?
Thanks
new sub. thanks was very informative
Excellent vid G1!
Are you putting the single rod on the front that goes between the two front tires into the deck in the front on first or are you putting the two arms on the back of the deck one on each side by the back tires on first???what’s gonna make this go together easier I’m fighting it???
put back on first. Then the twist part in front (extension bar)(near the engine pulley part). then lift the deck and slide into the front notch on the deck. Make sure the deck handle in is the lowest position and the gear to enable the mower belt is disengaged.
@@gereral1_jackofalltrades Thanks I got it now I appreciate it thank you👍
I bought this same mower and the belts are so loose and I can't figure out why and now I think I see why. I will put back all back together now and I hope the belts will turn now thank you so much.
Glad to help. My mower still running great!
I took my deck off to fix somethings and I could not remember where that small spring went on the deck. You didn’t mention it but I saw it in the video thanks great video nice and clear
Please stay safe from this virus
My dad is having the same trouble, He cant find the place for the small spring either. And he does not see it on the link either. where does it go.
@@loisbosarge1573 I have a springs location video on this channel. Search for it. Shows exactly where all springs attach
Excellent!
What size belt is used? Everything is set up correctly and the belt is still very loose when engaged.
Very helpful
Thanks
Thanks!
Do you notice a difference in belt tension the lower you gonon deck height? I do, it'll really hum on 5 and 4 but when put into 3 to 1 it gets significantly less tension. And yes I do have the spring in the correct hole for the 38 inch deck.
I set my deck height to 3. Perfect height. I have adjusted front hanger a bit too. But not side adjustments. Still on second belt after 3 years.
Excellent 👍👍👍
I have a 638 RL mower. Could you do a video on how to adjust the deck height??? If my mower was any lower, it'd be a sub-soiler...
I noticed the arms have two holes that can be used. Is there a reason to use the lower holes versus the upper holes? If you use the upper holes your deck would sit up higher at all times so would be good for St augustine grass where you usually have to raise it to the maximum?
Yes, you can change cut angle. Also if you raise front pin bolt and sides it will effect deck position and may solve some users issues regarding a slippery belt. Engine mount is fixed. I've never touched my side risers but have adjusted the front bolt. I keep my deck at 3 on the up down handle.
I am having a issue putting the spring back on. I don't have a lot of slack like you have.....help
Can you tell me if I can change my 38 inch MTD Yard Machine deck with a 42 inch deck ? My 38 inch is rusted away and expensive to replace or find . I am seeing more 42 inch for sale for parts than 38 inch . And do the spindles interchange ? Mine is an MTD Yard Machine 38 inch cut / 12.5 hp and is a "97"-"98" . I know it's getting old but it runs so strong and what I can afford .
I'm not sure. As in this video there is a spring hole for both sizes. Should call mtd off website to see if it can be done
Perfect
mine is a 38" cut and my cable is in the correct hole for a 38 inch but my belt seems really loose when blade is disengaged, and comes off at times when disengaged after mowing then disengaging it. the cable seems to be looser then what your video show's that yours is, my cable touches the desk where it is so loose, Is there a way to adjust the cable to tighten it up?
When I get home I will see what I can do to help. The belt is loose when disengaged. The neck guard keeps it from falling out. Is the guard in the correct hole? The engauge speing ill see if I can shorten it at handle. Be home saturday.... im a truck driver
The brake spring for the right side (the side with the chute that the cut grass comes out) 1 end of the spring goes to the stud between the belt guard mounting bolts, but where does the other end connect to?
Watch my springs video. Hope this helps.
Found springs video, thanks. Will fix when it stops raining...
As your closeup shot of the deck comes into view I notice that your pivot arm tensioning the belt is pivoting from the hole second furthest from the rotating pulley.....but in all the MTD manuals I can find with a 38" deck it pivots from the hole closest to the pulley.....If this is correct then the belt will be tighter and last longer.....Can you confirm with your parts listing manual please??
Scott Burnie I will take a look at it. This was how it was when I bought it new. The one thing I changed was the tension spring hole! The spring was installed in the larger hole and the deck had 38 printed on the smaller hole. The part I'm talking about is the spring attached to the belt engage disengauge handle.
Thanks for the reply General 1 and I have taken note of that spring position, as mine was also in the wrong hole and I have moved it to the new hole.....but the pivot arm has me stumped as in all my manuals it is pivoting from the hole closest to the pulley??? Also the position of the spring on the chute side (I think) that goes under the spindle cover and attaches to the brake arm....Have I got this right in the correct position??
When I get home tomorrow night I'll look at it in the shed. My plow blade is still on. Then I'll compare the mower deck bolts and springs to make sure.
OK took a close look at the diagram and my mower deck. Just to make it clear my deck is 38inch. There are 2 configurationso depending on the deck and size. The bar that hold the sway bar part is bolted in the 2nd hole of 3 so it is correct. The sway arm is bolted in the FIRST hole closest to the pully and the second hole is exposed as show in the video. The spring does NOT connect to the pully covers but the inside there is a connection part for the spring. So my deck is correct in this video.
Where does the spring attatch to hold forward/ neutral / Reverse lever in place on an MTD 38/420 mower...
I have no idea where it goes.. lost whatever held it in.. now it slops around all over the place..
Please help.. i cant find any info on this
Ill take a look on my tractor saturday as im traveling
This saved me from taking it to someone to fix it. I broke one of the cotter pins because it was rusted. I bought some from Menards, do you think they will be ok to use?
DabRanger yep
Hi I see that you installed the belt guard and that one side pops in and the other is held in by a bolt you said. Mine came off this morning and my belt guard on one side is curved. I believe to hook on to something, which now I believe to be the bolt. I'm not sure if mine is just a bolt or an eyelet bolt?? Could you help me out thanks.
regular bolt the diameter must catch the eye part. you can rig something together with a washer. you can see the hole it tightens in if you look at the engine up top there is a tiny hole for a threaded bold. Odd your bolt came out.
I posted a missing springs video to help out another user who had springs missing. Check that video out on my channel and it may help
With the blades disengaged does the belt at the engine pulley just rest there while its spinning?
Yes
great video! I have a similar mower, mine is a 42in. My deck is wore out. Any suggestions on where to order a replacement deck. I have a yard Machines.
I need to get a replacement deck for my pollin yard machine 38 in can any one tell me where to find one used or new
I have a question. it seems that by flicking the speed levers into I higher speed my tractor moves at a slow speed. how do I adjust it
You 2 belts ( transmission and main upper drive belt will need replacing. After while these belts stretch and the tractor slows down even when the lever is at full range. When I mine this year ill put up a detailed video, There are some other videos on youtube but the quality sucks.
The main upper drive belt and transmission belt are new. I thought I may need to adjust the selector switch on the mower.
Rico Williams Sr did the spring on the upper belt pulley (was it installed correctly? )
I think thats wat my problem is now. I think i put pto spring in the wrong i have a 42 in deck. And my blades wont disengage
NICE
I do have a favor to ask though I have a issue with the throttle adjustment screw I can't seem to get the throttle/ idle right and it won't run correctly it keeps stalling and it shuts down on me when i engage my blades can u help me with this problem?
Check your seat switch!
This was a great video! But now my mower won't start. I've checked the safety switches, got a new battery and changed out the solenoid and spark plug. But it still won't start. It was running fine before I removed the deck. Any ideas?
Put throttle in choke mode. Is your mower engage handle( one that yoy pull to engage belts) in the engage position? If so the tractor will not start!
Yes, did all that already
You have a volt meter?
It was unfortunately stolen. 🙁I no longer have one in my possession, but I can get one! 🙆
Ok when you get one set it to continiuty and connect each test lead to you safety seat switch below your seat. Press seat down and your meter should change to show a connection. If it does not replace the seat safety switch . I can take you through each test to the ignition switch if you need to but start with the simple stuff first. The sensor in the handle engage also needs to be tested for continuity. Also press in the clutch and the yellow throttle speed switch all the way to lock position. This allows you to get off the mower when it is still running as this overrides the seat safety switch. Testing needs to be done at this position as well. On mtd site their is wire diagrams of the entire mtd tractor so if you know someone near you can have them systematically test each sensor and safety switch to find the problem.
There is one more spring. Out the outfeed side. I can't figure out where and how it goes back on
If you want when I get home weekend I'll make another video of springs but add LED lighting and put camcorder on tripod . I made springs video quick to help a fellow out. I'll remake it on Sat.
Can you tell me the spring on right side, where or what does it hook 2?
timmy tim watch my missing springs video....
would you know the correct belt length on this 38" ? online I've seen anywhere from 69 3/4 to 77 3/4 " great video btw
Look on my channel have belt replacement video with exact model size number
perfectly female friendly video thanks
I have a question can a 38" deck from a craftmens connect to a 38" Bolen ?
I've never seen a 38' Bolen so I cannot help. Maybe another user may be able to chime in....
the cable that engages the blade snapped. can you make a vid that shows that assembly, please?
Ill see if I can free up some time to show this cable in a short video. Taking a week off work so I might be able to pull apart part of the tractor to show you this part.
Have you done a video for the engagement cable?
No. But my drive and tranny belts will be replaced in the future and will record it
can I install my old 42" deck on a 38" mower. both are mtd, yard machine
I believe you can. On my mover deck is a slot for to deck engauge spring and one hole is labeled 42inch. You may have to adjust the ends and the one main arm at the front of the deck.
watch your video but when I try to attach the PTO spring I am not able to pull the cable back into the slot its why to tight and I am not superman any suggestions on attaching the cable
make sure the in gauge handle for the mower deck is OFF and the deck height is at lowest it can go.
good day! I have a 2001 mtd 650 tractor .. Can you tell me how to calibrate the blades? do you have a video about it? Thank you
www.manualslib.com/manual/925467/Mtd-650.html?page=14#manual
This may help
@@gereral1_jackofalltrades great ..thank you..from de villa la angostura ,neuquen ..patagonia argentina
There is no "calibration" of mower blades, there is a height adjustment but no "calibration".
thanks great video I have both my deck blade stop springs broken I guess that's what they are called I don't have part numbers the one on the chute side is gone and the one on the left has the rear hook gone would you know the part numbers for those two springs?
Mtd website you can download the parts list for your deck and order parts from them.
+gereral1 I will check it out not sure exactly how chute side spring goes on I remember it went on post wrapping around bearing housing but not sure how it hooked to blade stop linkage
+markythunder PDF pics don't have a good view on diagram layouts
If you take a picture of the area Ill head out to the garage and upload a p
ic of mine tomorrow so you can figure out the correct install.
under my about tab you will see businness inquiries. Click on that and upload to that email the pic and a return email so I can send you the pic of my part so you can figure out how to install it on your machine.
Awesome video. The problem we're having is the deck is rubbing on the engine pulley, causing it to not start. Can you give me some clues as to what we did wrong? We thought it was because of the missing spring but we put that on the other day and that didn't do anything. 😕 Please help if you can. 😀
Michelle Brennan I made a missing springs video. Make sure the springs are located as per this video in mtd playlist.
gereral1 how do I find that video?
Michelle Brennan click on my icon and look at playlists tab
gereral1 ok thank you. I found it. Do you think the spring he just put on is in the wrong place? He (my Dad) says the deck just needs to move a little bit and then it'll stop rubbing and start but he doesn't know how to get it moved.
Michelle Brennan in the video the front bar is adjustable. It needs to lock in and the right left back are held buy height control. There is adjustments nuts on each side. Make sure the belt guard is in the proper hole. And the height lever is down when hook up.
Help plz. My lower deck is not leveled when pull up the deck any suggestions Maybe post a video and how to level it...they charge me Hundred Dollars to fix i dont want to spend that much
On the front there is one pole that slides in with a nut! Adjust this nut to change the front height. The back is adjusted on each side. Look at when I installed the clips on the sides to hold the raise and lower part. There is a nut on each side that can be loosen and the deck raised or lowered to level out. Hope this helps.
There are 3 adjustments. The front arm and the sides. There is an adjustment nut on the front to adjust the front and the 2 bolts on the sides to adjust the back. Save your money and set the level to 3 on the up and down knob and place a piece of wood the thickness of the deck and start adjusting. Remove the board and viola perfect level. Later
My question is my deck is low on the shoot side? No adjustments but on one side and thats does nothing
My deck has to points that can be adjusted at the back of the deck. forward of the deck it sits on a pivot arm. Its odd your deck does not have bolts that attach to the frame.If its low on one side lower the side you can adjust to level it out. Then the height lever keep at 2-3 so I does not chew your grass. I never go below 3 when lowering the deck with the control.
Do you know if I can swap in a 42" instead?
Yes a 42 deck can work but you must change the spring to hook to the correct hole.
Right after I wrote the question I went out and did it. I figured I had nothing to lose at that point and you're right, it did work. I didn't know about the spring though. It appears to be working fine but I'll check that out for sure. Thank you!
Can you tell me what's the model number for that 38 inch deck for the mtd yard machine
Lift seat up. Model sticker there!
P015538LT
Only decent video of this subject on you tube!
David Hunt thks for the comment!
What’s the model number on the tractor?
Hi.. ive done this after a belt replacement.. but ive seem to have struck an issue..
After checking deck goes up and down.. i noticed it was rather hard to raise right back up to 5... from about 3..
From what i can see ive done everything right.. why would i be having this issue?
Did you place rear deck pins in correct holes? The position of the deck will effect the 1-5 height handle. Is the front pin set in the hole correctly? Is the belt the right type? The design of deck is simple. 2 pins rear 1 arm on front engage cable with a spring and lock pin. Not sure what could be causing level handle to not go above 3.
@@gereral1_jackofalltrades everything seems to be in the right place.. thats why i dont understand..it will go up to 5.. rear supports are in correct holes.. everything else seems to be in order.. i was going to attack maybe with some wd40... see if its catching..
I did wonder if ive altered the front support.. and maybe thats the issue.. maybe i need to slacken it.. ??
Can you post a pic of underneath for me too .. theres a little metal bar that gets hooked up ...(between right pulley and idler pulley) ive found one vid.. that someone said it goes over belt..
Can you clarify please?
My belt had snapped prior.. so i didn't get a picture..
But .. im pretty sure it doesnt.. the belt goes straight from right hand pulley to the left directly.
Sorry to ask.. but i cant find the answer in videos.. it looks to be your video has it running straight behind too
Russell yes the bar goes over the belt in middle of deck. If u never touched adjustment not at front it can only be binding in the part that raises and lowers deck. Look to that.
@@gereral1_jackofalltrades so that bar goes over the belt and belt runs through it?
Yes.. i did touch that front support bracket nut.. it must be there i need to look at..
Im also wondering where the retaining spring attatches for the forward reverse lever.. i had lost that.. need to fit a new one.. i also cant find where where this goes..
@@bronwynrussell7763 no sure about that spring. I'd pull camera out but it's too cold. Tractor away for winter. Tip. Open seat remove battery give u access to these items .
man need help are Yard Machine by MTD 638. Spring broke underneath can't get it to cute grass
Michael Barger easy..... watch my missing springs video made just for u ;)
Wich size is the deck belt?
Look at my playlist on this tractor. Belt replacement video and size is listed there. I don't remember part number..
Finally got to the mower deck section at 3:12. If you came because of the title, you may want to skip ahead.
Good video but I needed to see how to put the stabilzer back on :(
To make it easier put the front of the car raise on 2 jackstands to release pressure on the crossmember so stabilizer slides in easy on the lower connection.
I actually found out you have to put the stablizer rod on first before you reconnect the cutting deck, big learning lesson
Great video!
I have same mower, just got it.
It does not have e belt for 38"
Same three pulley deck.
What is the belt model number?
On my channel I have belt replacement video. Info for belt is there on my channel.