
Service Advisory
Edgers
MTD-003
Models Affected:
Serial Number Range:
Date:
Subject:
PURPOSE: MTD has become aware that the drive belt may experience premature wear and/or jumping off track under
some operating conditions. To address this issue a new Compression Spring, Drive Belt and Blade Adjustment Rod
have been incorporated into production as of May 1, 2003. Production units manufactured prior to May 1, 2003 may
have been reworked while in MTD warehouses. To tell if a unit has the new production hardware check the Compression Spring and Drive Belt. The new Compression Spring is gold in color and the new Drive Belt has orange paint over
the part number area.
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.
NOTE: Save this Instruction Sheet. Refer to it when ordering replacement parts.
REF.
NO.
1 754-04032 1 “V” Belt, Polyester Tensile Cord (Color Code = Orange)
2 732-04169 1 Compression Spring (Gold color)
3 747-04110 1 Blade Adjustment Rod
2003 Model Year Vertical Crankshaft Engine Edgers
Models 25A-521; -550; -551; -553 and -556
November 18, 2002 (Date Code =...K182...) through
April 30th, 2003 (Date code =...D303...)
October 3, 2003
Drive Belt Wear
PART
NUMBER
QTY DESCRIPTION
Preparation for Disassembly: Refer to the Owner’s Manual for part terminology and controls location
1. Allow engine and muffler to cool before working on the unit.
2. Remove spark plug wire from spark plug and ground wire to engine block.
3. If there is fuel in the fuel tank, drain or remove the fuel cap and place a thin sheet of plastic over the opening and
replace and tighten the fuel cap.
4. Ensure that the oil plug is tight.
5. Rotate the edger blade so that both ends are within the Blade Guard. See Figure 1.
6. If so equipped - Set the Bevel Adjustment Lever to the left. Left and right are viewed from the operator’s position.
7. Set the Blade Depth Control Lever to the STARTING POSITION (H).
8. Proceed to the Disassembly Instructions on Page 2.
.
* Each unit is identified with a unique 11 digit serial number. The 2
month, day and year of production (date code). The rest of the digits should be ignored for
purposes of determining if your unit is affected. For example, in Ser. No. 3B063Z80001, the date
code is “B063”. B= February, 06= the 6
code. C= March, 21= the 21st day of the month and 3= 2003.
Warranty: Normal warranty terms apply. Indicate Service Advisory MTD-003 and 754-0465 and 732-0187 as the original failed part(s) on the claim. Repair time allowance is
SERVICE MANAGER PARTS MANAGER SALES MANAGER SERVICE TECH. SERVICE TECH.
th
day of the month and 3= 2003. In Ser. No. 3C213Z80999, “C213” is the date
Circulate and Initial
nd
through 5th digits identify the

Disassembly Instructions:
9. Remove and retain the Spindle Belt Guard and rubber
Debris Guard and their hardware. See Figure 1.
Spindle
Assembly
Blade within
Blade Guard
Spindle
Pulley
Debris
Spindle
Guard
Belt Guard
FIGURE 1
10. While an assistant holds down the Blade Control Bail
and slowly pulls the starter cord to rotate the spindle,
carefully work the belt off of the spindle pulley.
11. Rotate the blade so that both ends are within the
blade guard.
12. With a 9/16” box wrench and 9/16” socket and ratchet
remove and retain the two Pulleys and Pulley Mount
Spacer from the frame. Retain the washer and nut. See
Figure 2.
NOTE: There are several different pulley configurations
used during production.The photo represents only one of
these configurations.
Pulley Mount
Spacer
Taller shoulders
of the pulleys
must face towards
Pulley Mount Space
FIGURE 3
15. With a 1/2” box wrench and 1/2” socket and ratchet
remove and save the four (4) nuts and lock washers from
the bolts that hold the plastic Bearing Block/Spindle
Assembly to the frame. See Figure 4. Do not remove
bolts from Bearing Block and Spindle Assembly at
this time.
Index
Bracket
Blade Plate Assembly Rod
f the Spindle
Assembly
Bearing
Block
Pulley Mount
Spacer
“V” Idler
Spindle
Pulley
Belt
Debris
Guard
Guard
Flat Idler
Pulley
FIGURE 2
13. Remove and discard the original belt.
14. Refer to Figure 3. Remove the Pulley Mount Spacer
and both pulleys from the mounting bolt. Reassemble the
two pulleys and spacer as shown in Figure 3. Note the
position of the pulleys’ taller shoulders. Set the dual pulley stack assembly aside. It will be re-installed later.
FIGURE 4
16. Carefully remove the Bearing Block/Spindle Assembly
from the edger frame keeping the Bearing Block, Index
Bracket and the 4 bolts together.
17. Set the Bearing Block/Spindle Assembly in a vise as
shown in Figure 5. Note that the vise jaws are grabbing
the edge of the Blade Plate Assembly.
Blade Plate Assembly
Spindle
Assembly
FIGURE 5
18. Keeping the Bearing Block in position on the Blade
Plate Assembly Rod and releasing the tension on the
2