Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Replace the Drive Belt on a Riding Mower
How to Replace the Drive Belt on a Riding Mower. Replacing the drive belt on a riding mower requires basic hand tools. Before removing the old belt, pay careful attention to the configuration of the belt, including the way it loops and turns around the system of pulleys that drive the cutting blades. Some riding mowers are equipped with multiple...
Replacing the drive belt on a riding mower requires basic hand tools. Before removing the old belt, pay careful attention to the configuration of the belt, including the way it loops and turns around the system of pulleys that drive the cutting blades. Some riding mowers are equipped with multiple blades that spin in opposing directions. This helps funnel the cut grass through the discharge chute or into a grass-catching bag on the side or rear end of the mower.
To funnel the cut grass this way, the replacement drive belt must be installed with the same twist in the belt. Make a note of this before cutting off and discarding the old belt. It will save time and headaches.
Things You'll Need
Screwdrivers
Pliers
Wrench set
Work gloves
Metal lubricant
Remove the grass catcher, if your mower is equipped with one. Disengage the clutch and be certain the mower cannot be turned on while you are working on the equipment.
Lower the mowing deck to the ground. Release the latches on either side of the deck.
Push the deck forward to disengage it from the control rod that raises the deck up and down. The deck should come free of the riding mower.
Make a note of the configuration of the old drive belt. Some mowing decks with two or more cutting blades require a twist in the drive belt, which is turned in a figure-8 fashion. Remove the worn belt from the pulleys.
Install the new belt around the pulleys in the same configuration as the old belt. Twist the belt if necessary to install around two blade pulleys (the twist causes the blades to rotate in opposite directions). Check the belt to make sure all pulleys are engaged and turning smoothly.
Latch and lock the mowing blade back onto the riding mower. Raise the control rod to its maximum height.
Slip the free end of the belt around the tension and engine pulleys. Adjust the tension pulley if necessary to maintain a tight fit.
Replace the grass catcher.
Tips & Warnings
While the mowing deck is detached, it's a good idea to lubricate the parts according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Use work gloves when handling sharp metal edges like a mowing deck or when pulling the drive belt into position. One slip of a bare hand could cause a nasty cut.
