emtcoop46 asked:


I have a 42 inch cut, craftsman riding mower. The belt broke and I am trying to replace it but can’t figure out how to get it over all of the pullies.

Ben

No Responses to “Need help installing the belt that drives the blades on a craftsman mower?”

1. Gerald on July 5th, 2009 10:26 am

   Take it to the lawn mover shop — or make an appointment for then to pick up…

2. Chafemasterj on July 7th, 2009 7:30 pm

   One thing I know for certain is if you are attempting this yourself Disconnect the plug wire before attempting Anything with the belt! Best of luck to you and finish replacing the belt with 10 digits :o)

   Here are some possible options :

3. raybdog on July 10th, 2009 4:54 pm

   I don’t know your specific model, but usually there’s an “idler” pulley that can be released or loosened such that the new belt goes on with plenty of slack, then you tighten up the idler pulley to put tension on the belt so it doesn’t slip.

   If the mowing deck is removable, it may make it a lot easier to see and work on.

4. kid360roadrash on July 11th, 2009 9:58 am

   It might be easiest to remove the deck to get a clear sight of everything. Now, keep in mind- pulleys that have the V in them is the notched side of the belt - the flat ‘idler’ pulleys just keep tension on the belt, usually with a spring/arm and the back flat part of the belt rides on those. Sometimes the guards over the pulleys need to be removed and then put back on- in some cases, its used as a belt guide.
   Take a picture of the top of the deck and post it - i could probably figure it out.

5. car dude on July 13th, 2009 5:28 pm

   i’d go with kid360’s answer the most, of those so far, though the one telling you to remove the spark plug wire is important advice, too. you could help us all out by telling us how many pulleys are on the cutting deck, and how many others there are besides the engine pulley. as a guess, i’d say that you have at least 4, more likely 5, but i have seen them with 6. your belt needs to go around both of the blade pulleys and the engine pulley, then you need to figure out how it will go around the remaining pulley(s) to remove the slack in it. on some mowers there are covers over the blade pulleys that need to be removed to put the belt on those. on some, there are guides, or long bolts to keep the belt in line coming from the engine to the cutting deck. and usually there is at least one pulley(an idler pulley) on the deck that the backside of the belt runs across. from there, some mowers shift the whole cutting deck to remove the slack and engage the blades, other mowers move a pulley that removes it, when you engage the blades. this is what you need to determine from trying the belt in your install. look over the top of the cutting deck, some have belt “maps” on a decal on them. if not, you could always check the model# on sears web site, and look up your owners manual for how it goes. good luck, sometimes it just takes a few tries.

6. Ray Y on July 16th, 2009 9:36 am

   I have a sears with a 48″ deck and I looked in the manual to replace mine. It isn’t fun or that easy but you can do it with out pulling the deck. In matter of fact I have had to change both of mine in a week.
   You do know you probably have at least one and mine has two levers to release some of the tension on the pulleys the opposite side of the discharge. And there is at one point on each of my belts a place where the belt is hard to get into the pulley. It maybe just a tab on yours to help keep the belt from coming off I guess.
   Main thing is get your book out and set it right there with you while you do this and make sure your belt is hitting each pulley the way they want it to and then put your tension levers back to the lock position and mow your grass before the neighbors start talking.