How to replace the deck belt on an MTD riding mower
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- čas přidán 13. 09. 2024
- When the deck belt shredded on a 1998 MTD 38" riding mower, It would be two hours before mowing resumed. This is a surprisingly difficult replacement, so we shot some video to help. With the deck off we also replaced the blades. For a text and still picture version of this see: www.originalmec...
Years later this video helped me change the belt on an old MTD mower. Thank you.
Great video. As others have noted you had great lighting and I thank your camera man for his work and you for providing a great running commentary as you did all the work. Just to clear things up, there are 8 R-clip, connections to the mower deck, four on each side. One of your text comments said there were 7 (at around 8:00 in the video).
THE best video on the MTD. Lighting was perfect, you talked us through it, nothing but good info, lighting, tools, well done. I overhauled a 97' MTD from under the barn. with Sea Foam carb and fuel solvent, started right up. Pulled the deck for a wire wheel, zinc prime and paint with hardener. Belt is the last item and glad I watched. Wow, the guide pins are threaded! Thanks for the nice video.
I have an older Mastercraft or MTD 13hp mower and I watched your video on removing the deck the first time I tried to do it. It sure helped. I just watched it again for a refresher and saved it so I can watch it again when I go to remove it once we get warmer weather. Your video sure helped thanks.
This is the best video I have seen so far. I have just refurbished an old White 38" riding mower that was taken apart by the former owner who had no clue. Lost retaining clips and destroyed wiring made for quite a challenge. Your nice, slowly explained vid showed me where some of the parts went that I could not place. So much easier working on an electric clutch model. Thanks for the help.
You're welcome.
Just wanted to say thanks. I don't have the -exact- same year as this, but it was close enough that I could figure everything out. Amazing how much better it cuts with a tight belt.
Thanks for the video. I have only taken the pins out at the front part and after ramoving the belt guards it was easy.
The cutting blades is rather easy to sharpen instead of buying new. I did it in less than an hour but it is not the first time I sharpen things.
Do not do this on a lawn or on gravel because you might drop small parts and will need to spend time to find them again.
Thanks for watching and adding some useful tips.
Appreciate the video, wouldn’t have been able to get it done without it. Thanks again and have a blessed year
I went through the same procedure about two weeks ago on my MTD mower except it had three blades along with the other two belts. I had the great idea of using Kevlar belts because they would last forever. It turns out the belt on the deck was squealing like hell and would slip when cutting the grass. I pulled the belts back off and got OEM belts and that took care of the problem. Just a tip that I ran across. Good work David...
+stuzman52 Thanks for the comment. This sure is more of job than I expected and worthy of the extra time it to took to shoot some video. Thanks for adding a tip and have a good one.
That is strange stuzman, I replaced my belt with a 1/2 X 74 inch blue Kevlar belt from Tractor supply and have had no issues.
Thank you so much for showing the spring location. We had a unit come in with a missing bracket and couldn't figure out where to connect it.
Yeah, that would be a head scratcher!
Make sure you go online and find the right belt size for your mower from the OEM. I took the old belt into a napa store and asked them to match it and it was a couple of inches too small. Just enough difference that I thought I just didn't know how to slip it on right and spent 4-5 hours and a lot of busted knuckles trying to get it on when in fact the new belt was 1.9 inches too small
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO! My dad recently had a series of strokes and can no longer do these kinds of things, or show me how. One of the blades on his mower suddenly came loose a few days ago and so began a now 2 day journey of me figuring out how to fix it. With trial and error i got the deck off, secured the blade (that was a nightmare), and got the deck back on. but i hadnt found your video yet so i didnt secure the belt at the proper stage. So now im off to fix it, but this time i know what to do because of your video. Thanks so much
+Jennifer Hermanson That's great to hear that you found this video useful. Thanks for the comment and I hope your repair goes well!
I would like to meet the people who designed such a complicated system to do such a necessary task.
IKR, it's ridiculous
Good video. Just finished struggling with the manual’s explanation on a 1999 Huskee (same model). Wished I’d seen this sooner.
I myself have problems with my mower not engaging, however I just want to say y'all are fantastic,great detail.just one thing lol never say the belt can't be put on with gaurd on, my girlfriend can and worked a belt through the belt rod 1/2 inch hex hed. Hand to God. Great job guy's
Life saver. Six years later
Those belt keeper pins also accept a 1/4" socket wrench if you don't wanna scratch it with pliers
This setup is exactly like my Yard Man. Thank you soooooo much for showing how to do this!!!
You're welcome. I'm so glad you were able to use the video.
Thank you for making a good video. It's great that your editing has made the video consise.
Just what I needed to fix my ride on. Thanks
My advise is to purchase a mower lift from Harbor Freight for around $75. (Great Investment). With the lift , you don't need to remove the deck to replace the belt or the blades. As a bonus, it will only take minutes to change the blades, compared to hours if you need to remove the deck. Your neighbors will become your new best friends too.
+kjaj obrien - Great Advice! I am thinking of getting one since it will be handy once something goes wrong for $75.00 !!! :)
You don't need to drop the deck. By taking out just 4 pins one at a time you can slip the new belt in working your way around the deck. As the the old belt is mangled just cut it through with a hacksaw and pull it out, or optionally you can leave it in place and use it as a guide to know which pin to pop out next, pulling out the old belt and popping in the new as you remove each pin. I have done this 4 times so far without removing the spring and have had a lot of trouble stretching the belt over the pulley - might try removing the spring next time. Make sure you don't lose the belt keeper washers and don't swap the keepers as (in my case) they are bent to a particular angle.
+iconoclad Good tip. At some point you must have had to remove the two belt guards, as there is not enough room to fit a new belt on with them in place (we tried). I used the instructions in the manual on this one. Thanks for taking the time to provide this detailed alternate method.
+The Original Mechanic Yes, it's necessary to remove the belt guards first but this is easy enough. I didn't mention it as you already indicated this was required. Very important to replace them I have found. They are not there just to protect fingers. I decided to leave them off, a small dead branch was thrown up by the front wheels, it went straight onto the deck, tangled with and destroyed a brand new deck belt. Great video by the way.
iconoclad and
thanks clearest how to I have seen on yardman
Save yourself some time and leave the belt guards off. Makes it easier next time you can change the belt without taking a whole deck off
THIS VIDEO WAS VERY HELPFUL THANKS
Wow. I've got a 2009 model but it look's to be about the same, quite a lot of disassembly just to replace a belt!. Think I might order new drive belts too while I'm in there rather than be forced to drop the deck again to replace those.
Great video
I had the most difficult time getting the spring back on. My vice grips kept slipping off the spring every time I got it close to the notch. To fix this I attached a rachet strap to the far end of the spring and tightened it down very tightly. After that I was able to put the spring on with my pos vice grips then release the rachet strap.
Good tip! Thanks for sharing.
REAR DECK SPRING, an easy way to handle it:
czcams.com/video/KqcKpfdMOGQ/video.html
above is my first ever youtube video inspired by the original mechanic.
E justibal 🤔🤔🤔 must be a no rust mower
Thank you so much, this video was really helpful!
thank you!!That really sovled my problem
Instead of jamming a screw driver to block blades I use a two by four block and insert it at a point on the deck so near the end of the blade hits it and stops. Then I remove blade and re insert block in another blocking position to tighten it. Seems to me that my MTD yard machine don't need to take anything off but the belt guards to change belt as there are two levers in rear that holds deck on and one in front of motor. I don't think any of these interfere with the belt going on. But I have an Old model about 2005. Just keep fixing it. Newer stuff is probably designed so you have to go through extra crap to work on it.
The one in the video is older than yours, somewhere out of the late nineties. Looks like you have an upgrade for the belt change. Thanks for watching and sharing your great blade blocking method!
great video....really helped me...thanks
My MTD is ALMOST the same setup. Only difference is there is no long pin going side to side and no spring bracket hanging down from the transaxle. Oh and the plate/flap that the pin goes through on mine is solid(no round spot). I can now TRY to get my mower to work. Got it for free at the local landfill. Oh, the other problem I have is, it will move forward and then slowly stop moving forward. Gotta fix that. It's a 12.5 hp 38 in deck.
Good video. I'm removing the shredded belt. What size belt do I need? Yours took a 38" belt, does that match the cut number?
The best bet is to look it up in the manual, if you have one. If it looks like the same or similar machine to the one in the video 38" should do. I don't think cut width has any relationship to belt length.
5/8" x 69" belt
great video! Thanks, this was a big help.
I got a mower like this and the deck was off of it and all the mounting brackets could you take pictures of each brackets so I know how to put it back on ???
Great video mate. Only one I could find with this same deck. Can you tell me, the spring you took of at the beginning. What does it connect to. I didn't get to see before it fell off. Thanks mate
I think this is what you are looking for. 0:37
i have problems with my MTD RS115/96B its very slow moving and don't cut until the depth lever is on low and then it hardly turns the blades
You went through all that trouble and you didn't clean the underside of the deck?
Is there any type of belt adjustment on this type of deck or no
I never found any.
Where does that spring connect to on the deck .. I know where it goes on the rear of the frame but what does it hook to on the deck ..?
No wonder the deck drive belt wears out so soon - look at the angle it has between the deck pulleys and the drive pulley on the motor shaft, almost 30 degrees misaligned.
Now you're making me look at this thing again. I'm thinking this was a matter of the camera angle.
Nope, your camera angle is good, it is the angle of the deck belt going to the pulley on the engine that is wrong. I have a Yardman by MTD (2004 model) that has two idler/tension pulleys, two spindle pulleys, THEN the belt goes to the engine pulley at a 30 degree angle when the deck is lowered to cut grass. The local MTD Service Center says it is correctly done as they adjusted the deck and installed a new factory belt (part # 754-04045) for me. Three mows later, the belt was cut by the belt guards by the motor. At $46 a belt, this is getting wayyy too expensive. We all know that "V" belts last best if all pulleys are lined up straight when you put a load on them. This MTD arrangement is a belt ripper/cutter, and I am getting tired and broke keeping this rider going.
@@lomgshorts3 If someone else has this.. Just put the belt guards on and then when they are in all the way, just bend them so that they are a bit further away from the belt. Worked for me.
As you lower the deck you put more tension on belt .in the stop position it allows the belt to let pulley spin
wow, what a job, i have the same mower, and just the very highly stretched spring alone made me not want to take that deck off. But I guess i need to. One of the blades turns much easier than the other. Did you test the bearings on the blades ? i forgot what you call those riser things that the blades turn on but again, one of my two feels like it turns hard. should i just replace both of them and if so, is it a big job too? I'm going to go ahead and replace the blades and the bearing thingy-ma-jiggers too along with the belt. I'm guessing it's a huge job and lots of money too. My MTD is red but looks just like yours in every other way. I replaced the Drive belt a year ago, which was a bitch, but at least it's done. If you have another video where you show spinning the blades with the deck off to see if they spin freely, I'd appreciate a link so I can compare. THANKS SO MUCH
I wish the guys would blow out or spray wash out the mess off the deck & mower before they start taking screws & pins out because the mess is sooo distracting from the working taking place that we need to know to work on our own...
Had not thought of that at the time, but that is excellent advice for future such projects.
I have a 17 horse 42 in bolens mower... I looked up the part number ordered the right belt and it seems too short to go on the engine pulley... What do I need to do?!
Thanks a ton .....
you make removing that big spring look so easy. Unless I throw my back out cannot see the trick? Is this a must remove item? thanks...
Just grab it with a strong pair of vice grips and yank hard as you twist a little to the right, it will come off. The real trick is getting it back on! The easiest way I have found is to hook a common tie down strap to the spring, leaving the end trailing out the back of the tractor. Lay a 2 x 4 down across the back wheels. Then take a long screw driver (2' or so!) or 1/2" rebar, or a piece of pipe, stand it up against the 2 x 4 (vertical) very close to the right back tire. Wrap the tie down strap around the bar and start winding it as tight as you can get it, then use it as a lever to move the end of the spring around and you should be able to clip the spring in place easy as can be! Then undo the tie down strap and everything is in place!
I don't remember having too much with that spring. It is harder to put back on. I used a vice grip pliers and my big brother-in-law! Yes it has to come off, according to MTDs instructions. Good luck
REAR DECK SPRING, an easy way to handle it:
czcams.com/video/KqcKpfdMOGQ/video.html
above is my first ever youtube video inspired by the original mechanic.
Can you tell me which direction you had to turn your blade nuts to remove the blades? I have done it before but had to use a torch to get them loose. Imagine you are looking at the mowing deck blade side up with the leading edge of the deck being the "top" I have put deck belt on mine by fooling around with a few pins and I think I took one guard off or something... it certainly wasnt kosher but it worked lol.
Left (counterclockwise) to loosen. Nice work. thanks for watching!
brilliant !
while you are at it why dont you clean the deck underside as it will rot out from grass residue if left
Seems extreme to say it will rot the deck, but yeah, that's a good time remove the residue.
how do you adjust the belt when it wont disengage blades turn when motor starts wont stop
I have a mtd riding lawnmower model number 13A5453F033, my deck belt just broke, bought a new one, same as yours, seems tight, blades turn when you try to start it? doesn't disengage? pulley brakes look fine. What am I doing wrong?
I have the same issue did you ever figure it out?
@@michaelwitkowski6567 I also have the same issue. Did you ever figure it out?
I don't really remember I believe it was a cheap belt
@@michaelwitkowski6567 Ok. Thank you for taking your time to answer any way. Have a nice weekend!
merci ça m'a solutionné
Back again after visiting a few years ago to learn how to change this friggin belt - I forgot how much this sucks to do 😭😭 I mean imma still do it but Imma cry at least 4-5 times 🥹🤣
I need the two mower deck stop breaks that stop blades they are mounted under foot rest not sure on brand of mower think it's Sears or Craftsman older unit please help! Thanks
I replaced my belt and now my blades will not dis-engage. Any thoughts, tips, advise? I have pretty much the exact mower, but in a 42" cut. same style 2 pulley deck with keeper pins.
I would go back over the steps and look for something missed. In particular make sure that big spring is back in place.
Having same issue, were you able to find a solution?
What is the part number on the belt. All the ones I've bought were way to long.
@@joshrhodes3449 the MTD parts diagram calls for a 1/2 X 74 inch belt. I bought a blue kevlar belt at my local tractor supply for about $25. It turns the blades and mows well but my blades would not disengage either.I tried a 1/2 X 75 inch belt and the blades would then disengage but they would also slip if I tried to mow high thick grass. So I reverted back to the 1/2 X 74 inch belt and after I used it for several mowings the blades started disengaging.
there is an adjustment rod on the right side of the mower to tighten and loosen the belt. I have a 2000 mtd 42" deck
I have the same mower, do you have a problem with the motor pully rubbing the deck when deck is raised up?
No, I don't. Something must be loose or misaligned.
@TheOriginalMechanic ok thanks for the quick response.
you have a part number for the deck belt?i,m having problems with mine smoking and kills the engine when you engage blades not sure if i,m getting wrong belts or doing something wrong
You should consult the owner's manual if you have one. For mine there are different belts depending on deck size. I have a 38" and used 754-0433. There are two belts listed for the 42" depending on whether you have electric or manual PTO and 46" decks show two belts, one upper and one lower. This gets complicated
I'm having similar issues. I have 2000 mtd 42" and just installed an oem belt today. I smelling the belt burning. I think it's either hitting the pully guides or the keeper guide pins. mine seems to mow fine for my test, but can smell the belt burning. checked the belt and has burn marks on face and was pretty hot.
I don’t understand are you supposed to yank off that spring or am I just not strong enough or should be a trick to it
It is a strong spring. You need to get leverage with the pliers, maybe use a board or pipe to pull against.
I hooked the end of the spring through the hole in the end of a flat pry bar and it gave me enough grip to pull it out.
It took me forever to get spring off, now I can't get it on, it's old and rusty, should I get new one? And where do I find one? I'm having problems getting deck on right, got same belt you got now but first was too big. I'm thinking engine pulley is touching deck cause it sparks and doesn't cut but does engage.the stabilizer rod is hard get in one side of plate hole ,I was having put weight on plate to try line it up but the rod not coming through easily... It's older mower I got from someone...just wandering if I should replace those parts..
Jennifer Rozell As I pointed out above, you need some assistance from a pry bar or other means to get leverage to install the spring. As for the other problems, I'm afraid I don't have an answer.
I have same mover my belt seem loose and will not spin on grass ??? Its like no power when engaged
Maybe it is out of its track. I don't think these thick belts can stretch out over time.
@@TheOriginalMechanic thanx
great job short sweet and to the point if you couldnt follow this video you should be having someone do it for you 5 🌟 job chief
Thanks for watching!
Where does the spring in back of deck attached
It just connects to the stabilizer bar, just hook it on close to the edge where the pin is.
I have one like you’re riding my more yard machine at 13 hp and a 38cut what’s the belt number?
Best idea is to look up the belt in the owner's manual or have a store cross reference it.
What size would you recommend for a 42 inch deck
It's best to look it up in the owner's manual. If you don't have one check online or talk to someone at a hardware store or big box store.
i bought this for olde then 2007 mtd 42" www.amazon.com/dp/B000X7O3SU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DpS8EbZ6W5163
what is the p/n for the belt?
I used 754-0329A which I found at Lowe's for around $28.
whats the blade size and where can they be purchased from.
We bought the blades at Lowes. They cross referenced it to the model number. Or you can take an old blade to any hardware store and have them match it.
i think pulling out pins is a waste of time.
Awesome
I have a mtd yard machine mower its about the same if say deck wise but mine is a 42 inch cut.I bought a 42 inch belt the belt that I took off is stretched out needs changed. The belt I bought is bigger than the one I took off help please lol.
I'm having the exact same problem. I can't find the right belt anywhere.
5/8 by 74 mtd belt look on amazon
@@joshrhodes3449 Hope this helps 5/8 by 74 mtd belt.
Does your deck only have the 2 pulleys on the deck itself and then it goes around the pulley on bottom of engine
@@joshrhodes3449 yes sir
1:03 Mine broke off. Can I run it without this part?
I think so. That is sort of belt path guide post. It may increase the chances of the belt falling off though.
my blade nuts were so froze up that a screw driver was not doing the trick use a 4x4 block of wood left side came off but the right side was froze so bad the blade wanted to just bend up and over the wood block total nightmare also found out most titre shops wont take five seconds to walk over and zip it off with an impact after soaking all day in liquid wrench I finally got it LOL
+George Pratt Way to stay with it!
There is a reason every mechanic I know has an impact wrench (air) in their tool box! It is not for putting things together faster (I hate that type of mechanic) it is for taking things apart easier!
lol I have for that reason as well but compressor is down spent two hrs trying to find someone to help in this manner
I also used an impact wrench (one that just goes into the power outlet, without compressor). Worked great!
Hi im buy a tractor like that but im change the belts but im put more short and my blades dont stop when turn on the tractor what do you think is the ploblen
belt too short or not oem. there is an adjustment usually under the desk. I rod that spins to tighten or loosen the belt.
can I put a 38 inch deck on a 42 inch mower
it a yard machine
Yes change ever over off the 42 I think the belt has to be changed also belt for 38
Wat is the size of that belt
Why remove the deck????
I followed the owners manual on this one.
Mine is just like that deck I can’t even find the belt they keep saying it a 42 in but no
hi guys I need a video of how to put belt back on my lawnflight 705 any ideas thanks
I don't know, but hopefully another viewer does.
OK thanks
REAR DECK SPRING, an easy way to handle it:
czcams.com/video/KqcKpfdMOGQ/video.html
above is my first ever youtube video inspired by the original mechanic.
Thanks T.O.M. vid was very helpful. the 69 inch x 1/2 fit my 12.5hp lowes by MTD 38 inch deck. b/c my belt was shredded and what was left measured 68-69 inches at tractor supply; i had to do this twice; the 68 inch belt did not work. my model number sticker is missing; i got this used, any body know my model number? i think mine is a 98 too. now the steering on ft rt tire needs replacing, bushing gone and metal warped on cross bar where top bushing is causing tire to flare out.
Why would you take the deck off for this job? Oh well, some like to work harder than necessary. Good job though.
You're right all you have to do is take the guards off and remove the belt and put the new belt on and slap the guards on and back to cutting no need for deck removal smh!!!!!!!!
Thanks guys- this was my question as I just watched a 2 minute video doing exactly that. Take off guards, put on belt and done! I'm not a mechanic so I'm glad to see this confirmed by Tom and Steven.
I took them belt gids of of mine I made my own belt gids
754-0329A
What u doing
Looks like way to much work to change that belt, never had to do 3/4 of that
MTD:
Machines (Mowers)That Die
Making Terrible Devices
Meet The Devil
pliers?... on a shaft?.... Really????
thanks for video, it helped me out
You're welcome. Glad you were able to find and use it.
I have a mtd riding lawnmower model number 13A5453F033, my deck belt just broke, bought a new one, same as yours, seems tight, blades turn when you try to start it? doesn't disengage? pulley brakes look fine. What am I doing wrong?
The blades should not turn when you try to start it. The safety switch for the blades should keep the motor from starting when the blades are not in the raised, rest position. I would look at that part of the mechanism for problems.
Hey mate did u find a solution same thing happping to me cheers
Yes sir, I got it, lossen disengage nut. Thanks for your help!
Most times I have found that the new belts are just tight. After mowing the yard a couple of times and allowing them to stretch a little they work fine.
i have an older model as well and the belt has been on it a few years now just got it going again after sitting 2 years took to lawn mower shop but now i have the same issue with blades wanting to spin while starting even in disengaged mode where is the disengage nut located