A few things come to mind: The keeper itself can be inserted in a variety of holes, possibly even fastened by the bolt end in more than one. So check that positioning. The other is the tensioner on the deck. They use the same arm for the 42", it is just mounted via the other hole. The bracket is labeled which is which- so that would be the other item to check. Same goes with the rear lift arms.

Hello All and thanks to tomplum. I sorted out the problem after posting my message and it is worth passing on. I removed the deck and found lots of build up of grass, dirt and barkers eggs dried around the pulley's restricting the movement of the tension pulley. After cleaning the whole thing with my high pressure cleaner I then gave everything a liberal spray of WD40 and reassembled the machine. Now it performs like new again, the moral of the story is cleanup properly after use, a quick hose down does not do.

While that pressure washer trick is solving your current problem, it may well be setting you up to a more serious electrical system corrosion problem in the not too distant future. Might consider using compressed air (or leaf blower) to clear machine of trash/debris after each use as an alternative....

Be careful cleaning off the barkers eggs since that is what the whole tractor is made of, especially if it a Cub Cadet.

No not a cadet, actually I think it is a great machine, has a Tecumseh motor which I had never heard of before. In Australia we normally have Briggs and Stratton or Japanese motors.

Aw, ya gotta understand, Colin... rollergirl really has a tuff time keepin his lawn tractors and toy pedal tractors from gettin mixed up....