Troy-Bilt 753 User manual

Service Manual
IMPORTANT: READ SAFETY RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
PRINTED IN USA FORM NO.769-00945
This Service Manual is not a substitute for the Operator’s Manual. You must read, understand
and follow all of the directions in this manual as well as the Operator’s Manual before working
on this power equipment.
(10/2003)
753 Wide Cut Mower
TROY-BILT LLC, P.O. BOX 361131, CLEVELAND, OH 44136-0019
NOTE: These materials are for use by trained technicians experienced in the service and repair of outdoor power equipment of
the kind described in this publication, and are not intended for use by untrained or inexperienced individuals. These materials
are intended to provide supplemental information to assist the trained technician. Untrained or inexperienced individuals should
seek the assistance of an experienced and trained professional. Read, understand, and follow all instructions and use common
sense when working on power equipment. This includes the contents of the product’s Operators Manual, supplied with the
equipment. No liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omission in this publication, although care has been taken to
make it as complete and accurate as possible at the time of publication. However, due to the variety of outdoor power equipment
and continuing product changes that occur over time, updates will be made to these instructions from time to time. Therefore, it
may be necessary to obtain the latest materials before servicing or repairing a product. The company reserves the right to make
changes at any time to this publication without prior notice and without incurring an obligation to make such changes to
previously published versions. Instructions, photographs and illustrations used in this publication are for reference use only and
may not depict actual model and component parts. © Copyright 2005 MTD Products Inc. All Rights Reserved
MTD Products LLC - Product Training and Education Department

Servicing the Troy-Bilt Wide Cut 33” Combination Mower
1
TROY-BILT WIDE CUT MOWER
Model 12A-E753B063 (NEW)
• 9 hp briggs & Stratton I/C OHV engine
• Electric Start
• 33” Deck
• Self-Propelled Multiple Speed Gear Drive
• Peerless Transaxle
• BLade Brake Clutch
• Automatic Parking Brake
• Single Lever Height Adjustment
• 3-in-1 Capacity
The Model E753B features a standard size battery and
electric start. See Figure 1.
Figure 1
Gas Tank
Battery
The key switch is located on the right side of the con-
sole. See Figure 2.
The unit also features an oversize fuel tank with a man-
ual shutoff valve. See Figure 3.
Figure 2
Key Switch
Figure 3
Fuel Shutoff
Servicing the Troy-Bilt Wide Cut 33” Combination Mower
Includes update Information for older models

Servicing the Troy-Bilt Wide Cut 33” Combination Mower
2
The fuse is located on the right side next to the battery
and the solenoid is mounted on the battery support
bracket under the battery. See Figure 4.
Most electrical problems can be diagnosed using a
ohm meter and checking continuity of the ignition
switch and wires to each component. See Figure 5.
NOTE: The Operator’s Manual that comes with
the unit has a wealth of information regarding
the setup, operation and servicing of this unit.
NOTE: This Service Manual is a supplement to
the Operator’s Manual.
IMPORTANT: Please read, understand and fol-
low all safety procedures listed in the Operator’s
Manual when working on this unit.
CAUTION: Before servicing the unit place it on a
level surface, turn off the engine and let the unit
cool, and disconnect the spark plug wire. On
electric start units, make sure the key is in the
“off” position.
1. BLADE DRIVE BELT REMOVAL
1.1. Make sure the blade drive control is disen-
gaged.
1.2. Using a ½ inch socket remove the four screws
securing the belt cover and removed the cover.
See Figure 6.
1.3. Using a ½ inch socket, remove the two screws
attaching the flap bracket to the frame. Remove
the flap bracket. See Figure 7.
Figure 4
Fuse
Starter Motor
Solenoid
Figure 5
Figure 6
Cover Screws (2 on each side)
Figure 7
Flap Bracket
Mounting Screws
View From Below

Servicing the Troy-Bilt Wide Cut 33” Combination Mower
3
1.4. Using a 9/16 inch socket and opened end
wrench, remove the front idler pulley to allow the
belt to be removed from around the pulley. See
Figure 8.
NOTE: Maintain correct order of parts.
1.5. Using a 9/16 inch socket and opened end
wrench, remove the rear idler pulley to allow the
belt to be removed from around the pulley. See
Figure 8.
NOTE: Maintain correct order of parts. The pul-
ley mounts to the front hole in the idler arm.
1.6. Drop the belt off the engine pulley.
1.7. Replace the belt and assemble in the reverse
order.
NOTE: Maintain orientation of belt guides during
reassembly. See Figure 8.
Figure 8
Front Idler Pulley Rear Idler Pulley
Idler Pulley Mounting Bracket
2. DECK IDLER PULLEY INSPECTION
2.1. Using a 9/16 inch socket and opened end
wrench, remove the front and rear deck idler pul-
leys and inspect for wear.
NOTE: There is a pyramid washer under the
front mounting bracket that helps maintain the
position of the front idler pulley. See Figure 9.
3. BLADE DRIVE BELT ADJUSTMENT
3.1. Using a ½ inch socket remove the four screws
securing the belt cover and remove the cover.
3.2. With mower on level ground, adjust the blade
cutting height to about 3”.
3.3. With the blade drive control disengaged, set a
gap of 1/8” between the spring and the flat
washer on the end of the threaded portion of the
lift crank by adjusting the nut. See Figure 10.
Figure 9
Rear Idler Pulley
Front Idler Pulley
Nut
Nut
Lock Washer
Lock Washer
Flat Washers
Flat Washer
Pyramid Washer
Hex Head
Hex Head
Belt Guide
Belt Guide
Bracket Position
Bracket Position
Cap Screw
Cap Screw
Figure 10
1/8” Gap

Servicing the Troy-Bilt Wide Cut 33” Combination Mower
4
3.4. With the engine OFF have a helper engage the
blade drive. Measure the distance between the
center of the idler pulley and the left drive pulley.
The measurement should be between 5 1/2” and
5 5/8”. See Figure 11.
NOTE: If the blade drive belt slips during opera-
tion it may be necessary to slide the idler pulley
forward in the slot on the idler arm. Loosen the
hardware on the idler pulley and slide the pulley
forward slightly. Tighten the hardware. See Fig-
ure 8.
IMPORTANT: The blades must come to a com-
plete stop when the blade engagement lever is
released.
4. BLADE DRIVE CONTROL LEVER ADJUST-
MENT
NOTE: Make the following adjustment if the
blade drive control lever releases during opera-
tion.
4.1. With the engine off, engage the operator pres-
ence control and the blade drive control. See
Figure 12.
4.2. Without releasing the controls, look inside the
cutout at the left rear of the frame and make sure
that the operators presence control latches are
fully engaged. See Figure 13.
4.3. To adjust, remove the hairpin clip on the upper
end of the operator presence control arm.
4.4. Loosen the hex nut and shorten the rod by one
or two turns. (Do not over adjust.) Tighten the
hex nut securely. See Figure 13.
4.5. If properly adjusted, the blade drive control will
disengage when the operators presence control
is released.
5. BLADE SPINDLE BELT REPLACEMENT
5.1. Using a ½ inch socket remove the four screws
securing the belt cover and removed the cover.
Figure 11
5-1/2” to 5-5/8”
Figure 12
Operator Presence Control
Blade Drive Control
Hairpin Clip
Figure 13
Latched Position
Hex Nut

Servicing the Troy-Bilt Wide Cut 33” Combination Mower
5
5.2. Using a ½ inch socket loosen the screw securing
the belt tension adjustment bracket and turn it
out of the way. See Figure 14.
5.3. Align the sight holes in the right pulley with the
spindle housing mounting bolts. See Figure 15.
5.4. Using a ½ inch deep socket loosen the four
mounting bolts securing the spindle housing to
the deck. See Figure 15.
5.5. Slide the pulley assembly to the left to loosen
tension on the cogged belt.
5.6. Remove the cogged belt from around the right
cogged pulley.
Figure 14
Belt Tension Adjustment Bracket
Figure 15
Sight Holes (4)
5.7. Temporarily remove the blade drive belt from
around the left blade drive pulley. See Figure 16.
5.8. While holding the Idler arm and brake away from
the left blade drive pulley, remove the toothed
belt from around the left cogged pulley and up
and over the drive pulley. See Figure 17.
5.9. Replace the belt with a new belt.
Figure 16
Blade Drive Belt
Figure 17
Toothed Belt

Servicing the Troy-Bilt Wide Cut 33” Combination Mower
6
IMPORTANT: Time the blades properly during
reassembly. Set the cutting blades perpendicular
to each other during installation of the toothed
drive belt.There are arrows cast into the cogged
pulleys to help align the blades. Offset these
arrows by 90 degrees. See Figure 18.
NOTE: The arrows do not indicate the blade
position. Blades are 90 degrees offset from the
arrow position.
5.10. Rotate the tension adjustment bracket into posi-
tion and apply tension to the spindle housing
and cogged belt.
5.11. Tighten the adjustment bracket screw.
5.12. Tighten the four spindle mounting bolts to 15 ft.
lbs.
NOTE: Proper belt tension is achieved when the
belt deflects approximately 1/2 inch at the mid-
point between the pulleys when applying moder-
ate finger pressure.
5.13. Reinstall the blade drive belt over the left drive
spindle.
5.14. Install the belt cover.
6. BLADE BRAKE REPLACEMENT
6.1. Using a ½ inch socket remove the four screws
securing the belt cover and removed the cover.
6.2. Secure the operator presence control lever to
the left handlebar using a plastic tie or tape. See
Figure 19.
6.3. Engage the blade control lever to move the
brake pad away from the drive pulley. See Fig-
ure 20.
Figure 18
Blade Alignment Arrow Figure 19
Operator Presence Lever
Plastic Tie
Figure 20
Blade Control Lever Engaged

Servicing the Troy-Bilt Wide Cut 33” Combination Mower
7
6.4. Using a socket remove the Sems nuts and flat
head screws securing the brake pad to the idler
arm and remove the old brake pad. See Figure
21.
6.5. Loosely install the new brake pad.
6.6. Release the operator presence control and allow
the new brake pad to engage the sheave of the
idler pulley. See Figure 22.
6.7. Tighten the Sems nut to secure the brake pad to
the idler arm.
7. WHEEL DRIVE BELT REMOVAL AND
REPLACEMENT.
NOTE: Some older units may not have all the
belt guides installed.
7.1. Release all mower controls.
Figure 21
Brake Pad
Sems Nuts
Figure 22
Brake pad seats into sheave
7.2. Using a ½ inch socket, remove the two screws
attaching the flap bracket to the frame. Remove
the flap bracket. See Figure 23.
7.3. Using a ½ inch socket remove the four screws
securing the belt cover and remove the cover.
7.4. Temporarily remove the blade drive belt from
around the engine pulley.
7.5. Use a 9/16 inch socket to loosen the locknut
securing the pulley and belt guide to the front
idler bracket. Remove the belt guide and pulley.
See Figure 24.
NOTE: Maintain correct order of parts:
- Pulley
- Washer
- Belt Guide
- Nut
Figure 23
Flap Bracket
Screws
Figure 24
Front Idler Bracket Pulley
Engine Pulley
Trans. Pulley
Backside Idler Pulley
Trans. Pulley Belt Guide Cap Screw

Servicing the Troy-Bilt Wide Cut 33” Combination Mower
8
7.6. Use a 9/16 inch socket to loosen the cap screw
securing the transmission pulley belt guide to the
frame and engine mount. Pivot the belt guide
away from the pulley. See Figure 24.
7.7. Using a 1/2 inch socket, loosen the nut securing
the rear belt support bracket to the transmission.
Pivot the belt support away from the belt. See
Figure 25.
7.8. Remove the wheel drive belt from the engine
sheave, backside idler and the transmission pul-
ley. See Figure 26.
7.9. Install a new belt in the reverse order.
NOTE: The new belt must be installed inside
out. The “V” side of the belt lies against the
engine sheave only. The flat side of the belt lies
against the transmission pulley and idler pulleys.
8. WHEEL DRIVE BELT ADJUSTMENT
The wheel drive belt requires adjustment when belt
slippage occurs. This is most noticeable when more
traction is needed (such as going up slopes).
8.1. Remove the hair pin clip from the upper end of
the wheel drive control rod. Slide the rod out of
the lever assembly. See Figure 27.
8.2. Using a 9/16” opened end wrench, loosen the
jam nut on the lower end of the rod. See Figure
28.
8.3. Thread the rod one or two turns clockwise for
more tension.
8.4. Insert the rod back into the hole in the wheel
drive control lever and install the hairpin clip.
Figure 25
Rear Belt Support Bracket
Figure 26
Front Idler
Transmission Pulley
Backside
Idler Pulley
Engine Pulley
INSTALL BELT INSIDE OUT!
Figure 27
Hairpin Clip
Wheel Drive Control
Rod
Figure 28
Jam Nut
Wheel Drive Control Rod