How to Adjust a Belt on a John Deere X540 Snow Blower

Use a screwdriver to remove the screws securing the cover over the plastic belt on the front of the John Deere X540 snowblower. Pull off the cover to reveal the belt, which is wrapped over several pulleys.

Loosen the nut on the bottom pulley with a socket wrench and pull up gently to remove the belt from the top pulley. Gradually slide the belt off once it has been removed from the top pulley.

Use a cloth to clean along the belt and remove any debris. Dirt buildup can cause belt displacement, which will cause the snowblower to stop running altogether. Clean thoroughly to avoid future problems.

Put the belt back onto the bottom pulley and loop it through the other pulleys so that it comes out at the top engine pulley. Ensure you keep the belt taut as you loop it through the pulleys the same way it came out.

Feed the belt out of the plastic cover pulley, maintaining tautness. Use your socket wrench to tighten the nut on the bottom pulley back up to secure the belt.

Place the cover back over the John Deere X540's plastic belt on the front of the snow blower. Secure the cover by reinserting its screws with your Phillips screwdriver.