Mowing 383 Mower deck help

dhlii · Jun 10, 2009

I recently picked up a Cub Cadet 383 at auction. I am trying to get the mower deck attached. I found a pdf of the manual online but the photos are illegible.
This is supposed to be the same as a 76, 80, 81, 182, 282, 382.

From what I can tell there is supposed to be an idler pulley where the belt wraps arround the engine pulley. There is something there but it is not on the same plane as the belt. Nor does it change position as I move the PTO lever.

A picture or clue would be appreciated.

art · Jun 10, 2009

If it's the idler pulley it is only there to assit keeping the belt in place when the deck is turned on and off.

OldMachinist · Jun 10, 2009

Here's another link to the manual maybe the pictures are better than the one you have.
http://www.ihregistry.com/manuals/op/182.pdf

dhlii · Jun 10, 2009

Thanks, the picture in 182.pdf is more readable.
What I have matches the photo P 15 (using the document pages not the pdf pages). #3 is the idler. Presumably moving the PTO lever shifts it into place.
It is not moving with the PTO.
The other issue is that this picture is vertically from below.
Looking horizontally, the idler is not lined up with the drive pulley.
Even if the idler moved in it would either miss the belt or have to move two directions both horizontally and vertically at the same time.
Finally refering to the diagram on pg 17, there are no guide pins (5) on the idler (4).
It does not look like anything is bent, broken or ... It just does not match the diagrams/photos.

So:
Is there a chance someone with a 383 (or 382, or 282, or 182, or 76, 80, 81) could take a picture for me ?
And/or am I correct in assuming that the idler should move in towards the centerline when the PTO lever is engaged ?
Am I correct in assuming that the PTO engage idler moves in one plane - horizontally ?

Thanks.