Cub Cadet RZT 17 User manual

Service Manual
RZT Zero Turn Rider
MTD Products Inc. - Product Training and Education Department
FORM NUMBER - 769-01636
12/2004
NOTE: These materials are prepared for use by trained technicians who are experienced in the service and repair of equipment of the
kind described in this publication, and are not intended for use by untrained or inexperienced individuals. Such individuals should seek
the assistance of an authorized service technician or dealer. Read, understand, and follow all directions when working on this equip-
ment. This includes the contents of the Operators Manual, which came with your equipment. No liability can be accepted for any inac-
curacies or omission in this publication, although every care has been take to make it as complete and accurate as possible. The right
is reserved to make changes at any time to this document without prior notice and without incurring an obligation to make such
changes to previously published documents. All information contained in this publication is based on product information available at
the time of publication. Photographs and illustrations used in this publication are for reference use only and may not depict actual
model and component parts.
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Cub Cadet RZT
Deck Leveling ............................................................................................................... 1
PTO / Deck Belt Replacement ...................................................................................... 2
Deck Removal ............................................................................................................... 2
Drive Belt Replacement ................................................................................................ 3
Servicing Electric PTO Clutch ....................................................................................... 3
Transmission Replacement .......................................................................................... 4
Steering Linkage: Adustment ........................................................................................ 6
Pivot Bar ....................................................................................................................... 9
Seat Removal ............................................................................................................. 10
Console Removal ........................................................................................................ 11
Battery Removal ......................................................................................................... 13
Fuel Tank Removal ..................................................................................................... 14
Control Shaft Replacement ......................................................................................... 15
Deck Lift Shaft Replacement ...................................................................................... 17
Electrical System Components ................................................................................... 20
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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617AA5A7P710
1D224G20073
2004 is the first year for the RZT. There are two mod-
els RZT17 and RZT22. Now for the ‘05 model year is
Kohler Command 19 HP model witha 50” deck.
This series of riders has the unique feature of not hav-
ing to reset the PTO switch if the end users tries to
mow in reverse. Once one lapbar is moved in to neutral
or forward the PTO will turn back on.
The “RZT 17” has a 17 HP Briggs & Stratton Intek
which is a single cylinder engine with full pressure lubri-
cation. The engine drives the dual hydrogear EZT
Hydrostatic transmissions and the electric PTO. The
PTO runs the 3-in-1blades on the 42” twin blade
stamped deck. On the front of the stamped frame is a
large pivoting front axle. All this with the 3 gallon fuel
tank will provide many hours of fun and relaxing mow-
ing.
The “RZT 22” is very similar to the RZT 17 except for
the twin cylinder, 22 HP Briggs & Stratton Intek. There
are also 4 wheels, instead of 2, on the 50” triple blade
stamped deck.
All versions of the Cub Cadet RZT (and White ZT) are
bagger capable.
1. DECK LEVELING
1.1. To adjust the deck pitch, front to back, loosen or
tighten the jam nuts located on the front stabi-
lizer bracket using a 15/16” socket and a 15/16”
wrench. The correct deck pitch should be 1/8” to
1/4” lower in the front than in the back, as mea-
sured from the blade tips. See Figure 1.1.
1.2. To level the deck, side to side, loosen the screw
on the left side adjustment gear using a 1/2”
socket. Using a 3/4” wrench, run the gear up or
down as necessary until each outside blade tip
is the same distance from the ground.
See Figure 1.2.
Figure 1.1
Front deck hanger bracket
Figure 1.2
Deck adjustment gear
Deck hanger rod
Cub Cadet RZT 22
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2. PTO / DECK BELT REPLACEMENT
2.1. Insert a 1/2” breaker bar into the square hole in
the tensioner arm located on top of the deck.
See Figure 2.1.
2.2. Pivot the tensioner arm and pulley to slacken the
belt.
2.3. Remove the belt from the two stationary idler
pulleys and spindle pulleys.
NOTE: The spindle covers do not need to be
removed.
2.4. Remove the belt from the clutch.
3. DECK REMOVAL
3.1. Release the deck J pins from the rear hanger
arms. See Figure 3.1.
3.2. Slide the deck forward until the front stabilizer
bar can be lifted away from the front mounting
bracket.
3.3. Slide the deck out from underneath the unit.
Figure 2.1
1/2” Breaker bar
Idler arm
Figure 3.1
Deck adjustment gear
Deck hanger rod
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4. DRIVE BELT REPLACEMENT
4.1. Insert a 1/2” breaker bar into the square hole on
the tensioner arm.
4.2. Pull the breaker bar to the right until it can be
braced in position at the pivot point of the ten-
sioner arm. See Figure 4.2.
4.3. Remove the belt from the transmission pulleys,
tensioner pulley and the crankshaft pulley.
Figure 4.2
Idler arm
5. SERVICING ELECTRIC PTO CLUTCH
5.1. Unplug the clutch.
5.2. Using a 9/16” socket and an impact wrench,
remove the clutch bolt. See Figure 5.2.
5.3. Lower the clutch off of the crankshaft.
5.4. Remove the crankshaft key.
5.5. Remove the crankshaft pulley. See Figure 5.5.
Figure 5.2
7/16-20 x 4.0 Hex cap screw
Figure 5.5
Key
Crankshaft pulley
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5.6. Use a 9/16” socket to adjust the air gap on the
clutch to between.010” and.015”.
See Figure 5.6.
NOTE: Clutch adjustment can be done with the
clutch in the unit. If a new clutch is being put in
the adjustment can be done on the bench.
6. TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT
6.1. Insert a 1/2” breaker bar into the square hole on
the tensioner arm.
6.2. Pull the breaker bar to the right until it can be
braced in position at the pivot point of the ten-
sioner arm.
6.3. Remove the belt from the transmission pulleys,
tensioner pulley and the crankshaft pulley.
6.4. Remove the four lug nuts securing the rear
wheel to the axle hub.
NOTE: Insure the lap bar control rods and brake
rods are not rubbing against the frame.
6.5. Remove the cotter pin securing the bypass rod
to the transmission bypass arm. Remove the
bypass rod. See Figure 6.5.
Figure 5.6
.012 Feeler gage
Figure 6.5
Bypass rod
Neutral
adjustment
plate
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6.6. Mark the lap bar control rod threads near the cle-
vis pin. See Figure 6.6.
6.7. Remove the hairpin securing the lap bar control
rod to the transmission return assembly.
See Figure 6.7.
Figure 6.6
Lap bar control rod
Ferrule
Figure 6.7
Hair pin
6.8. Disconnect the brake return spring from the
brake arm. See Figure 6.8.
6.9. Remove the bolt securing the brake arm to the
transmission using a 7/16” socket.
See Figure 6.9.
NOTE: A spacer is located between the brake
arm and transmission housing.
NOTE: During installation, the bottom ridge of
the brake arm needs to be below the emboss-
ment on the transmission housing. Improper
installation will prevent the brake from engaging.
6.10. Remove both bolts securing the tubular trans-
mission brace using a 5/8” socket.
NOTE: When installing the brace bolts use loc-
tite 242.
Figure 6.8
Brake arm
Brake rod
Figure 6.9
Note proper installation
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6.11. Remove the front transmission mounting bolt
using a 1/2” wrench and a 1/2” socket.
NOTE: Secure the transmission or use another
technician to support the transmission while per-
forming the next step.
6.12. Remove both transmission mounting bolts
securing the transmission to the mounting
bracket using two 1/2” wrenches.
See Figure 6.12.
6.13. Rotate the transmission out and down until the
fan is clear of the front transmission mounting
bracket, and remove it from the frame.
6.14. Installation notes:
• Lift transmission into place and start all threaded
fasteners before tightening any individual fasten-
ers.
• The remainder of the installation process con-
sists of reversing the removal process.
• Tighten the lug nuts to a torque of 350-500 in-
lbs.
• Tighten the center wheel hub nut to a torque of
100-160 ftlb.
7. STEERING LINKAGE: ADJUSTMENT
7.1. Begin to adjust the steering by confirming that
both EZTs are correctly adjusted for neutral con-
trol. See Figure 7.1.
7.2. Lift and safely support the rear of the mower.
7.3. Disconnect the ferrule at the EZT end of each
lap bar control rod from the neutral return
assembly on each of the EZTs. The ferrules are
secured to the neutral return assemblies with
hairpin clips. See Figure 7.3.
NOTE: In the course of normal service, it is very
unusual for the neutral return assemblies to
require adjustment unless someone has previ-
ously tampered with it. It is necessary to check
the adjustment because the rest of the proce-
Figure 6.12
Transmission Mounting Bolts
Figure 7.1
Neutral
adjustment
plate
Figure 7.3
Ferrule
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