Recent content by mikeprince

UPDATE I ended up renting a Deere 317 with a 500lb hammer to break out the entire bottom of the pool, everything 5 feet below waterline and lower for the 10 ft deep pool. I also had to punch through one of the shallow end walls. This was the first time I have run a hammer and it took 10 hours of...

I just installed a new belt tensioner on a 753 and had the same problem. The trick was to pre-tension the adujster while off the tractor. Flip the tensioner over and use a screw driver to tension is just a little, enough to move the pin in the slot as seen from the back. Then use the fat head of...

Your 100% right about not needing to remove the whole pool. The local planning department couldn't care less, and the two required inspections are to ensure there's a hole at the bottom for drainage, and then again after completion to make sure the pool was filled in. There's a different kind of...

I never use it and the last time we had it filled was five years ago. Two young kids now mean its just a big liability. And each time we did fill it years ago I was the one who did all the maintenance, and everybody else did the occasional swimming. Now I can free up some space in the back yard...

I'm removing my gunite swimming pool, and have already dug a ramp from the outside to the shallow end of the pool. All I need now is for someone with a hammer to punch through the wall and break up the bottom/lower-half of the pool. I'll remove all the concrete once it's broken up. How much time...

The problem, as referenced in the service manual, is that when the tensioner is in the unloaded position the pry-bar pressure might not cause the cam to tension the spring and the pointer stays "stuck" in the untensioned/near vertical orientation. I had applied, with a 4 foot pry bar in excess...

I'm up against the EXACT same problem right now on my (new to me) 753F. I downloaded the service manual and there's a note that if the pointer does not move, to use a screwdriver to help get it moving. The pointer is a very weak piece of metal and now it makes sense that I've read about other...

I just bought the $400 (!) automatic belt tensioner and am trying to set the pointer to 3 o'clock. I have a two foot pry bar pushing against the engine/belt casing and I can't get the belt tensioner to budge downwards. I am able to get the belt tight enough that I can't twist it more than 45...

Your diagnosis is spot on. Yes, it creeps when the controls are let go of. And no, it will not move forward, but tries and eventually stalls the engine. Thank you very very much.

I just bought a 753 that looks really clean, no leaks, tight wheel bearings and chain, starts right up, etc. 1600 hours. Previous owner claims it was a landscapers. I didn't get any maintenance records though. Sometimes when I start it I can't travel forwards unless backing up a little first. It...