How to Put a Deck Belt on a Craftsman Lawn Mower

Craftsman lawn mowers that operate with a drive belt on the mowing deck require regular belt maintenance. The belt operates the mower's cutting equipment and the power takeoff, or PTO, for the cutting equipment. Through repeated use, this belt will gradually wear thin and eventually rip away from the pulleys. When this happens, the blades won't rotate, and you won't be cutting any grass. When performing other basic lawn mower maintenance, such as greasing, check the overall condition of the deck belt and replace if necessary.

Safety gloves
Protective shoes
Socket wrench

Instructions

- 1
  Park the Craftsman lawn mower on a level surface. Move the PTO switch to the "Disengaged" setting. Turn the ignition switch to the "Off" setting. Set the ground speed control levers to their "Park" position. Remove the ignition key, if applicable.
- 2
  Unhook the belt covers on the deck and remove them. Set the socket wrench in the hole on the idler pulley arm. Pull on the belt to release the tension. Roll the drive belt from the rear drive pulley on the mower.
- 3
  Slide the belt off the remaining pulleys and remove it from the deck. Route the new drive belt in the same way as the old belt. Fit the belt down into the pulley grooves and make sure that the belt goes through all of the belt guides.
- 4
  Insert the wrench into the idler pulley arm and set the tension on the belt. Refit the belt covers on the mowing deck.

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