BBM ZT ELITE MODELS ZERO-TURN MOWER. Manual - part 10

PAGE 37

The pump belt tensioner is located under the engine and 
has a grease  fitting  at  its  pivot  point. Grease at every 
engine oil change. 

The deck  belt  tensioner  is  located  at the rear of the deck 
and has  a  grease  fitting  on  its  pivot  point.  Grease  at 
every engine  oil change. 

The control arm blocks have grease fittings 
located on the top of each block. Grease one 
time a year. 

Drive Arm Grease Zerk

PAGE 38

SECTION 6: CUTTING DECK

Deck  belt   removal 

1)Remove   ignition   key.
2) Raise the deck to its highest position.
3) Remove the right pulley cover.
4) While   lifting   up   on  the     belt (as shown in the

photograph), rotate the pulley until the belt is free of
the pulley. Exercise caution while performing this step
as fingers can easily become caught between the belt
and pulley.

Deck belt installation: 

1) Follow steps 1 and 2 from the deck removal section.
2) Take off both pulley covers and route the belt by

following the belt route sticker.

3) The easiest way to finish running the belt is routing the

belt through the deck pulleys and carefully slipping the
belt onto the clutch in the rear of the engine.

4) Verify that the belt is routed properly as improper routing

can damage the spindles as well as the engine.

Remove Pulley Cover

Belt Route

PAGE 39

Leveling the Deck 

1) Start on a flat, level surface and set the air

pressure in all four tires to 12 psi.

2) Loosen the four bottom deck hanger bolts using

a 9/16” wrench.

3) Raise the deck as far up as it will go.  Place two

2x4s, with 2” side facing up, to create 4” of
space underneath the deck.  Make sure the
2x4s are long enough to support both the front
and back of the deck AND are away from deck
wheels.  Place a ¼” spacer on each 2x4 under
the REAR of the deck to obtain proper pitch.

4) With the deck still raised, turn the height

adjustment knob to 3.25 and lower deck onto the
2x4s.

5) With deck still on 2x4s, tighten the four deck

hanger bolts while pressing down on the deck to
reduce any slack.

6) Remove 2x4s.  Measure all four corners to

ensure deck is now level.  The rear should
measure 4” with the front measuring 3 ¾”.

7) Raise the deck up and ensure the height

adjustment knob makes a full rotation.  If full
rotation is made, the deck is now level.

PAGE 40

The deck spring tension is critical. If the tension is too 
high, premature failure of the deck belt and blade 
spindles can occur. If the tension is too low, the belt can 
‘jump off’ or slip on the pulleys. This results in reduced 
cut quality and early belt failure.  

Spring tension adjustments can be made by sliding the 
bolt shown above forward or backward in the slot of 
the deck. Belt tension should be 60-65 lbs. for the 
48” and 54” decks and 65-70 lbs. for the 60” deck, 
with the deck at its lowest setting. 

Use a belt tension gauge to ensure the proper 
tension. Your dealer or service center will have a belt 
tension gauge or you can buy one (Part Number 
041-9999-00).

Blade Sharpening: 

The blade on the top  (see photo) was 
utilized long after replacement was 
required. In addition to a decline in cut 
quality, failure to replace a worn or 
damaged blade creates a major safety 
hazard. Bad Boy recommends that blade 
sharpening be performed by a 
professional.