How to Install a Deck Belt on a Sears Craftsman Lawn Mower

Drive the Craftsman lawn mower onto a flat surface. Push the brake pedal in and slide the parking brake switch into the "On" position. Slide the motion control lever into the "Neutral" position. Slide the clutch lever down into the "Disengaged" setting.

Turn the key to the "Off" setting, remove it from the ignition and wait for all moving parts to stop. Unhook the spark plug wire from the tip of the spark plug, positioning the wire where it won't contact the plug during servicing.

Push the attachment lift lever forward to drop the mower deck to its lowest position. Work the belt of the engine drive pulley off the belt keepers. Pull the retainer spring out of the housing guide on the front deck bracket. Unhook the clutch cable spring from the idler arm.

Pull the retainer spring out of the front link and disconnect the front link from the tractor. Pull the chassis pin out of the suspension arm to disconnect the arm from the deck. Pull the pin out of the rear lift link and disconnect it from the rear mower brackets.

Hold the attachment lift lever firmly and slowly raise up the attachment arms on the tractor to get them out of the way. From the right side, slowly slide the deck from under the mower.

Pull the deck belt off both mandrel pulleys and the idler pulley. Take the belt off the mower. Install the new deck belt onto the idler pulley and both mandrel pulleys, following the same routing pattern as the old belt. Work the belt down into the pulley grooves and position it inside all of the belt guides.

Slide the mower deck back under the Craftsman lawn tractor. Reinstall the mower deck in the reverse order of its removal.