Every part of a riding lawn mower is designed to work together and provide the most efficient cutting surface possible. One part, however, that can cause your mower to fail is the belt. The mower deck belt drives the cutter blade on your mower and keeps it moving at all times. It also prevents excessive wear on the blade and other components because it keeps the blade turning smoothly. However, belts eventually wear out and require replacement. Replacing the belt on a riding lawn mower is not difficult if you know what to do ahead of time, so follow these instructions for a DIY how-to.
What is a belt, and what does it do?
A belt is a flexible, strong, durable rubber or other material that runs around the perimeter of a machine’s pulleys. The belt typically drives the cutting blade on the machine and keeps it turning smoothly.Â
Replacing your belt is an easy job with no special tools needed! Here are some easy steps:
1) Remove the old belt by pulling it off with pliers or using a screwdriver to pry it off at one end.
2) Slide the new belt onto the spindle shaft by lining up the center hole in the new belt with a spindle hole in the deck. It should fit snugly without being force-fitted into place.
3) While holding the spindle firmly in hand, use pliers to compress the new belt around the spindle until the rubber squeezes out of any gaps along the edge of the spindle shaft (this will make installation easier).
4) On either side of the deck gear housing, there are two slots that
How to replace the deck belt on a riding lawn mower
The following instructions are for replacing the belt on a riding lawn mower with a deck belt. This is a DIY how-to, so you need to provide your tools and replacement parts. Also, you can take professional help like kyle’s bike and mower shop.
Step 1: Unfasten the two bolts on the pulley at one end of the deck belt so you can remove them from the deck.
Step 2: Loosen the nut that holds the belt onto the pulley. Carefully pull out the old belt and discard it.
Step 3: Wrap one new mounting bolt around both pulleys, then thread on a new mounting bolt, followed by another new mounting bolt. Tighten both bolts into place using an appropriate wrench or socket wrench.
Step 4: Place some masking tape over any exposed threads where you screwed in the belts to keep them from turning during this process as you tighten them down further.
Step 5: Thread in a replacement belt and ensure it’s secured tight enough against both pulleys before putting it back together with your retaining bolts.
A few things to keep in mind before you start
Before starting, make sure your mower is parked on a level surface. If the mower is not level, the belt will wear unevenly and will require replacement sooner than it should.
It’s also important to ensure that all components are disconnected before beginning this process. Ensure the electric start is turned off and the gas tank is empty or pressurized before you begin this process.
If there are any loose parts on your belt, loosen them with a screwdriver, so they don’t become entangled in the belt as it comes out of its housing.
Conclusion
Changing the belt on a riding lawn mower can seem like a daunting task, but it’s not that hard to do. With a few easy steps, you can make it happen yourself.
