How to Route a Craftsman Riding Mower Belt

The pulley system on a Craftsman riding mower is relatively straightforward. You have a single pulley mounted under the engine, called the PTO clutch pulley. This is the pulley that drives the entire pulley system for the mower. If you look on the deck, you will note two large pulleys, both called spindle pulleys. The spindle pulleys connect directly to the mower blades under the deck. Between the two spindle pulleys, you will locate two smaller pulleys. These pulleys, called idler pulleys, help to transfer tension to the belt and ensure the belts turn the spindle pulleys the correct way. With five total pulleys, it is easy to see how it could become confusing when trying to route a replacement drive belt.

Instructions

- 1
  Lower the mower deck into its lowest position to increase the distance between the mower deck and the bottom of the Craftsman lawn tractor. Disengage the mower deck drive lever if it is not already.
- 2
  Slide the drive belt over the PTO pulley that protrudes from the bottom of the Craftsman engine. The pulley has a V-groove cut into its edge. The inner edge of the belt is shaped like a "V." The "V" portion of the belt seats into the V-groove of the pulley. Pull the remainder of the belt back to the mower deck.
- 3
  Pull both sides of the drive belt between the two smaller idler pulleys. The flat side of the belt or the non-V-groove side of the belts ride on the edges of both idler pulleys.
- 4
  Stretch the belt and place it over the large spindle pulley on the right side of the deck. The V-groove side of the drive belt rides in the V-groove edge of the spindle pulley.
- 5
  Stretch the belt over to the second spindle pulley and place the belt over the pulley again, The V-groove side of the drive belt rides in the V-groove edge of the spindle pulley.

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