Here is the sequence from the JD manual:
1. Stop tractor on a hard, level surface. Such as a cement floor.
2. Raise mower as high as it will go by pulling hydraulic lever backward.
3. Adjust the mower deck depth stop to the lowest cut height setting.
4. Turn front wheels to the left.
5. Put rear gauge wheels in the sideways position.
6. Lower mower to the ground by pushing hydraulic lever forward.
7. Stop the engine.
8. Put the park brake in the LOCKED position.
9. wait for ALL moving parts to STOP.
10. Pull spring loaded pin OUTWARD and rotate handle FORWARD. (This is on the front of the tractor)
11. Slide mower pivot rod out of slots. (on front of tractor)
12. Remove front draft rod of mower front draft assembly from slotted bracket on mower deck.
13 Remove front draft assembly from underneath tractor.
14. Pull each spring loaded J-pin out of each mower bracket and each tractor lift arm.
15. Lift right side rear tractor lift amr and LOCK into the UP position with J-pin.
16. Lift left side rear tractor lift arm and LOCK into the UP position with J-pin.
17. Remove driveshaft from tractor shaft by pulling collar on locking coupler back and pulling shaft from splines.
18. Turn front gauge wheels so they roll toward right side of tractor.
19. Roll mower deck out from right side of tractor.
JD provides an additional note that if the tractor is equipped with the 26x12x12 tires, it may be necessary to remove the left-hand rear gauge wheel. I have found it easier just to raise the back of the tractor a couple of inches with a hydraulic jack.
Installing the deck on this type of lawn tractor is a matter of propping up the deck on stands or jacks, adjusting the height until the holes line up, and installing the bolts. Then install the belts in accordance with a diagram that can be found online.
Side-to-side is best done with a length of 2x4 and another piece of wood as a fulcrum. Kneel on the 2x4 to lift deck, remove the hairpin and pin of the turnbuckle on that side and thread the turnbuckle in the needed direction on that side and reinsert pin. Hairpin needs to be added back after final adjustment is achieved. Work on each side separately.
Just lift the deck all the way, dial your height adjustment to the blank spot, drop it down and lock it down, swing the lever on the left side of the deck around to the rear tire, take the primary belt off (the one from the clutch to the double-stack pulley at the rear of the deck), pull the four "J" spring-loaded latches (two in the front and two in the rear and above), crank the steering to a full right turn and pull it out to the left.
Crank the knob that is the depth stop all the way out, lock the deck in the lowered position, remove the belt noting the twist, pull the two spring-loaded "U" pins at the front to release the front, pull the hairpin cotter pins on the rear hangers and release them. Raise the hangers and slide deck out to the left.
you dont
You will need to order a manual on the mower from the manufacturer (I assume Simplicity).
84 inch
You will need to remove the cutting deck to get to the blades. Here you will find the drive belt, which you just slip off.
5L74 gates
4L 63 inch
As long as they are close to the same year and model, yes. I have two decks side by side, one 38" and one 42", and all the brackets are the same. The belt will need to be changed for a longer one, though.
Look for a 3/8 drain plug underneath the deck (where the blade is) Loosen. Drain. If no plug is there, remove the oil dip stick and turn the mower on the side until all the oil is out.
most likely 2, look underneath
42" deck = 71" belt48" deck = 73.8" belt44" SNOWBLOWER uses V-Belt 131"
just get new belts they stretch or buy a can of belt grip
The 42 inch deck belt is 104 X 1/2 inches.
The belt is too loose. Replace it or adjust the idler.