How To Install Drive Belt On A Riding Lawn Mower

November 30, 2023

Parts: 

Drive belt

Tools:

Socket wrench set

Pliers

Nylon rope

Torque wrench (optional)

Work gloves

Time Required: 45 minutes

How To Install Drive Belt On A Riding Lawn Mower

Step1: Disconnect the spark plug

Turn the ignition switch off and remove the key.Lift the mower hood and disconnect the spark plug wire.

Step 2: Remove the mower deck

Lower the mower deck to its lowest position.Disengage the cutting blades.Roll the blade belt off the engine pulley and release the belt from the belt keepers.Remove the front lift link support retaining pin and washers and then detach the support from the deck .Remover the left suspension arm retaining clip and then detach the arm from the mower frame.Remove the left rear deck bracket retaining clip and washer and then release the bracket from the deck.Repeat the process on the other side of the deck to disconnect the right suspension arm and right rear deck bracket.Pull the deck out far enough to access the blade cable attached to the deck.Release the locking tabs and pull the blade cable out of the deck bracket.Disconnect the blade cable spring from the idler arm and move the cable aside.Pull the deck out from under the frame.

Step 3: Remove the ground drive belt

Pull the deck out from under the frame.Remove the flywheel screen cap and position a socket wrench on the flywheel bolt with the wrench handle resting against the fuel tank to keep the crankshaft from turning.Remove the engine pulley bolt and washer and then pull the engine pulley off the crankshaft .Release the drive belt from the pulley.If the old belt is still intact,take a photo of how the belt routes through the idler pulleys,so you can route the new belt correctly.If the belt is broken,see the owner’s manual for belt routing.Release the belt from the idler pulleys and belt guides.Lift the seat and remove the bolt connecting the negative cable to the battery.Lift the insulating cover and remove the bolt connecting the positive cable to the battery.Lift the battery out of the battery box,release the seat switch wire harness clip from the seat bracket.Release retaining tabs and lift the battery box out of the mower body.Set the box on the fender.Release the drive belt from the transaxle pulley.

Step 4: Install the new drive belt

Pull out the drive belt.Loop the new drive belt over the transaxle pulley.Position the battery box in the opening and engage the retaining tabs.Reconnect the seat switch wire harness clip to the seat bracket.Lower the battery into the mower body and align the wire harness and battery cables.Reconnect the positive battery cable to the positive battery terminal.Put the insulating cover back in place.Reconnect the negative battery cable to the negative battery terminal.Lower seat.Route the belt through the chassis and over the steering plate.Push the belt through the inside of the front belt guides.Loop the belt over the engine pulley,line up the pulley notch with the crankshaft groove and slide the engine pulley onto the crankshaft.Position the wrench on the flywheel bolt so the wrench handle rests against the fuel tank to prevent crankshaft rotation.to prevent crankshaft rotation.Reinstall the engine pulley bolt and washer.Remove the wrench from the flywheel bolt and reinstall the flywheel screen cap.Route the right side of the belt through the front and middle idler pulleys.Slide the left side of the belt into the belt keeper and over the rear pulley.

Step 5: Reinstall the mower deck

Push the deck near the mower frame.Connect the blade clutch cable spring to the idler arm.Push the blade clutch cable retainer into the deck bracket and engage the locking tabs.Position the deck under the mower frame.Reconnect the front lift link support to the deck using the washer and retaining clip.Reconnect the left suspension arm and deck bracket using the washers and retaining clips.Repeat the process to reconnect the right suspension arm and deck bracket.Route the blade belt through the belt keepers and roll the blade belt onto the engine pulley.

Step 6: Reconnect the spark plug

Reconnect the spark plug wire and lower the mower hood.

This blog shows how to replace a drive belt on a riding lawn mower. The drive belt connects the engine crankshaft to the transaxle pulley to drive the rear wheels. If the belt breaks, the lawn tractor won't move. If the belt is worn, the lawn tractor moves sluggishly because the belt slips on the pulley. Examine the drive belt and replace it with new drive belt replacement on Hexautoparts.com that fits your model if it’s broken or excessively worn.

Check out more helpful resources from our buying guide: 

Kevlar V Belts vs. Standard V Belts

How To Choose A Correct Mower Drive Belt For John Deere L130? 

How To Change The Deck Belt on a Riding Mower? 

How To Install John Deere Mower Belt Replacement?

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