How to Install a Deck Belt

Although there are many different brands and models of riding mowers on the market, the process for changing the mower deck belt remains similar for most models. The only time you must replace the mower deck belt is when the belt ages to the point that it starts to dry rot, or when the belt starts to slip on the PTO pulley, which is the pulley that extends from the bottom of the engine.

Wrench set

Instructions

- 1
  Drive the mower onto level ground, set the parking brake and disengage the mower blades via the PTO lever or switch.
- 2
  Remove the ignition key to turn the mower's motor off. Allow 20 minutes for engine cooling if the engine is hot.
- 3
  Lower the mower deck to its lowest position via the deck adjustment lever. This provides as much room between the top of the deck and the bottom of the lawn tractor as possible.
- 4
  Locate the PTO pulley by looking under the front of the lawn tractor. In most cases, you will locate a pulley guard. Remove the bolts that holds the pulley guard over the PTO pulley with a wrench, then remove the guard.
- 5
  Pull the mower deck belt off the PTO pulley, then move the belt back to the deck.
- 6
  Remove the pulley guards located on the top of the mower deck with your wrench, then place the pulley guards off to the side.
- 7
  Make a diagram of how the deck belt routes around the pulleys on the deck to help during installation.
- 8
  Remove the old belt, then install the new belt onto the mower deck.
- 9
  Reinstall the pulley guards onto the deck, then stretch the belt to the front of the mower.
- 10
  Place the belt over the PTO pulley and then reinstall the pulley guard over the PTO pulley.

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