I don't mow the lawn... with a history skin cancer and susceptibility to sunburn, the wife takes on this chore... for which I thank her profusely. This past Sunday evening she came in and said, the mower's given up the ghost again; ain't cuttin'. So's being the mechanic in the family, I went out to the garage and inspected the mower. Simple, the belt's stretched. Monday morning I went down to the local Sears store and picked up the correct belt. Installed same and tested.
About 25 feet in, a puff of smoke from the mower deck and then a rattley noise! After inspecting my handi-work, I found I'd neglected to get part of the belt behind one of the belt brakes installed to keep the belt in place. And found this:
![Image](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/sass93/IMG_0346.jpg)
That's the tower that supports the pulley on the top and cutting blade on the bottom. Apparently, the whip in the belt, snapped off the mounting bosses.
Well, after locating the manual... (ok, take my "man card", but... the wife only gives one "whoops" per incident), I start figurin' what I need. Since it's an older unit, I decided to replace the bearings in both towers... you know that steel bolt into aluminum housing thing... passage of time... mucho corrosion. Well to press out the bearings I decided to remove the other tower... snapping off two of three 5/16" bolts. Heck, replace that tower also. So, goin' on-line I find the necessary parts and put 'em on order... unfortunately,
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
![Image](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/sass93/IMG_0344.jpg)
![Image](http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/sass93/IMG_0345.jpg)
Hey, didn't have any parts left over and short test run means the wife can now catch up on her mowin'!
![Razz :P](./images/smilies/icon_razz.gif)
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)