How to Replace the Drive Belt on a Toro Recycler 20031 Mower

Remove the rear bag attachment if it is installed. Set the wheel drive lever to the “stop” position. Raise the back of the mower and set jack stands beneath the deck to elevate the rear of the deck about 1 foot.

Locate the transmission to the left (in the mower pushing position) of the axle housing, just inside the rear lip of the mower deck. Remove the top of the drive belt pulley nut with an open-end wrench. Turn the wrench counterclockwise in relation to its position on the mower. Remove the upper part of the drive belt pulley along with the washer.

Pull the drive belt up and over the remaining bottom portion of the transmission pulley. Remove the two nuts from the rear baffle housing on the mower. Slide the baffle inward toward the center of the mower to remove it from beneath the mower deck. Maneuver the engine belt down and around the blade to remove it from the mower.

Install the new belt onto the engine pulley by placing it up and around the blade by hand. Pull the belt somewhat taught, and install it over the bottom portion of the transmission pulley. Install the rear baffle back onto the mower, and tighten the baffle lock nut snug with an open-end wrench.

Install the upper portion of the transmission pulley over the vertical bolt of the transmission. Install the washer onto the vertical bolt. Install and tighten the lock nut snug onto the center bolt, with the wrench. Turn the wrench a half turn farther to acquire the 25 to 40 foot-pounds of torque for the upper pulley half.

Lift the rear of the mower and remove the jack stands. Set the mower down slowly.