John Deere Lawn Mower L138 Mower Deck Belt Installation

The mower deck belt on a John Deere L138 lawn mower powers the mandrel, idle and drive pulleys. The mandrel pulleys connect to the blades on the underside of the deck. This belt, therefore, powers all cutting attachments on the mower. Without this belt, the blades won't turn and no grass will get cut. Deck belts undergo constant stress and tension when the mower runs, which eventually causes the belts to wear out and break.

Work gloves
Socket wrench

Instructions

- 1
  Park the John Deere mower on flat ground. Engage the parking brake mechanism. Slide the clutch lever over to the "Disengaged" setting. Move the key to the "Off" setting and remove it from the ignition switch. Disconnect the spark plug wire from the end of the spark plug.
- 2
  Move the deck lift lever into its lowest position. Wearing work gloves, route the mower deck belt around the two idler pulleys and the mandrel pulleys. Work the belt down onto the pulley grooves and through the pulley guides on the deck.
- 3
  Set the socket wrench onto the idler pulley's sheave nut. Move the idler nut sheave toward the front of the mower and hold to release belt tension. Wrap the drive belt around the drive sheave.
- 4
  Release the idler sheave and take off the socket wrench to tighten the tension on the belt. Raise up the deck's lift lever.

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