Don't Make These MISTAKES When Replacing Your Riding Lawn Mower Deck Belt!
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- čas přidán 28. 06. 2024
- Looking for a detailed video showing you how to replace the spindles, belts and pulleys on a riding mower? Watch this!
👉🏻 • How to change the belt...
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My name is Bre. I took two years of small engine repair at the local college. When I left school, I fell into a wonderful job at a local small engine shop where I worked the counter for a couple years. In 2010 my husband and I opened up our own small engine shop in central Arkansas where I am able to work alongside my family and best friends. We see over 2,000 pieces of small engine equipment every year, and answer 1,000's of small engine questions. We specialize in brands such as Briggs and Stratton, Kohler, Echo and Shindaiwa, but work everyday on MANY other brands like Stihl, Husqvarna, Honda, Craftsman, Remington, Red Max, Troy Bilt, Scag, Bad Boy, Hustler, World Lawn, Poulan, Mantis, Etc.. Hopefully, my experience I share, will save you Time, Money and Frustration in the future!
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Although very informative, these videos are for entertainment purposes. Please use all possible safety precautions when repairing and operating your small engine equipment. - Jak na to + styl
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I learn something today about belts not stretching, but wearing out from the inside. Thanks.
Very helpful.
You also have to be careful when buying aftermarket belts. Someone will list an 88 inch belt as a replacement for a MTD 88.5 belt.
Yep, with no fancy measuring tool, I know I have been sold too short belts thru online sales... I could barely engage the belt drive lever and ended up killing an idler pully 😢
Mine was maybe a quarter-inch too long. You could tell by the occasional burning smell as it slipped, particularly when raising the deck above three inches. The cut quality had also suffered.
The belt I tried to replace it with was too small, and it actually did spin the blades even with the PTO off. Both belts were listed as being the proper size. No more off-brand belts for me, despite the OEM one being four times the price.
@@larryjohns8823 😢
You are one heavy duty lady. I got a top notch drive belt from Gates, a kevlar belt, much better than the original one. It took three tries to get the right size, but fortunately, with light use, I could trade in the ones that were too short at the O"Reilly parts store.
They are top grade, had patience to help me, so this is a reference if you want to try this for yourself.
Where I used to mow, the grass grew great, but it was very sandy. I mowed for years and then the belt started popping off. Bought a new belt (yes, correct length) and it kept popping off. I changed all of the spindles and shafts. No luck, the belt kept popping off. Come to find out, because of how sandy it was, the motor pulley had wore down, so the belt was going deeper which meant the belt was too loose. I could have probably changed the pulley, but I decided to buy a belt half of an inch shorter and it worked fine for a few years and then started doing it again. I donated the tractor to our local church and got a new tractor. It was 20+ years old by then. Stay positive and stay safe!
Talking about the housing which I called "Mower Belt Guard" on the top - left side of the deck on a the John Deere riding mower. Yesterday after helping my son-in-law & daughter do some mowing, it came time to clean off the mower. Well we three spent over an hour just cleaning the top side of the lawnmower's deck. Yes, that is right, an hour.... Now they say they clean it whenever they get through mowing. I did the mowing, the lawn wasn't wet or any dew on it, pretty much dry. When I got through mowing we went to start cleaning it. Hosed off the the mower from the top and then down to bottom & wheels. No problems, we thought.
Was noticing debris kept coming out from under this "Mower Belt Guard". Turned the sprayer to the jet position and tried forcing the debris out this way. Finally the son-in-law laid down in the driveway and reached as far as he could and started puling hunk's of debris out from inside of the "Mower Belt Guard". He gave up then the daughter gave it a try for awhile. Then I got in there more determined to get this area cleaned out. Almost did, but gave up temporarily because son-in-law said he needed the grease a grease joint which was inside this area and in order to do this he needed to remove the "Mower Belt Guard". Then he would clean out the rest of the debris.
This morning I came up with an idea which would help in the cleaning out from the inside of the "Mower Belt Guard". And this modification to the guard would not interfere with its purpose or safety feature as well.
Now for the modification: Using an 1-inch hole saw, we drilled three holes, about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the bottom, around the edge of this guard, equally spaced out. By doing this, it will allow the water jetted from the nozzle to reach inside the guard at three different places to help in the removal of the debris build up. We spaced out the holes as best as we could. Now cleaning is WAY faster. Just thought it might help everyone else out. Those decks aren't cheap to replace especially when caused by rust which could have been prevented.
That was an excellent video (as always) but I never would have thought this to be the case about old vs new belts. Thank you!
I fix small engines for family/friends, and the OEM belts always seem to hold up better than the generic belts from TSC and other places.
That's true, the only problem I have is paying a premium for a stock type belt over a Lowe's belt. A Lowe's belt is around $20 a stock belt are as much as $70 . It comes down to do I want to spend $20 every 2 years, or $70 every 2 years? I prefer $20 every 2 years verse $ 70 . Just my opinion. Now YOU might get 3-4 years from your belts, and that's great. I have to change mine every 2 years. For the extra money, it's not worth it for me.
@@bertgrau3934
Verse?
@@patrickflohe7427
$70 verse $20
I learned when I was way younger than I am now, that everything you said is to be true. But I did learn the hard way. Lol
Great video!
Thank you, I love that you share your knowledge with the masses. I wish I had found you a long time ago.
Great video tip. You are so right. Sooo many folks miss understand the belt systems. Thanks for another great video. 😊
Since “V” belts drive on their sides, a worn pulley can also cause belt slippage. Cement saws will often have this issue. The bottom of the drive pulley should not have a polished appearance, as that means the belt is bottoming out on the pulley and therefore the belt will be slipping to some degree on the pulley.
Finally, the voice of experience.
One of the most common culprits I find that causes the deck belt to jump off, is a filthy deck. And when I say a filthy deck, I mean one that’s got like 20 acres of grass and dirt buildup around the spindles and pulleys. Guy’s wash that deck off every so often, and you will experience far fewer cases of the deck belt jumping off.
Good advice, but not right after you mow. Wait til the bearings cool off or lifespan is shortened greatly. Shooting myself in the foot because I sell a lot of deck bearings lol.
Just replaced my belt on my zero turn after it broke. Guess I waited too long. I was amazed at how much better it sounded after the new belt was on. Cut a lot better too.
Thanks so much for the video! I am glad that you did this one. I don’t know how many times I have heard people say that the belt is stretched! Now I can tell them to watch your video! Thanks again and keep up the great job!
Awesome content today! I recently changed the spindle bearings and pulleys on my D105. I also got a new belt, the exact correct size! Seemed the best time to do it!!!
Great information!! Thanks. Just broke the belt on our RC airplane club's zero turn. Just took it to the Gravely pros. Mowed with my Toro this week.
Loved how clean that desk was.
Before I bought a cub cadet I looked at the reviews and a common thread was that the belts jumped off. I ended up buying one and the first time I used it the belt came off. After a couple more times I drove the mower into the barn and laid down on the concrete where I could get a good look at the belt arrangement. With the deck in the upper position the belt was barely above level. In the lower position the belt ran downhill quite a bit to the deck. Thinking back the belt came off when I disengaged the blades with the deck in the lower position. Once I realized that it was only a matter of raising the deck before disengaging the blades and no more thrown belts.
Hmm I’ll have to try that on my cub cadet when I get home today, as it’s driven me nuts for YEARS. My solution was always to engage/disengage the blades slowly.
That is a safety issue as you might hesitate to disengage the PTO in an emergency when the deck is down if you know the belt will need to be restrung.
as a mower mechanic also...always amazes me how a half or even a quarter in can make a big difference
The is the best video I've seen in 2023! Wealth of information, specially since I have a JD. Carumba you rock Bre!!!
Thank you for teaching me something today. I ran into this issue a few years back.
Good explanation of belt wear verses belt stretch. Thanks for sharing!
I always learn something from this channel. Thanks!
Very Informative. Changed my John Deere belt last year and had the same thought. Thanks to your video, I got the proper belt.
Hey Brie, no wonder you are so popular and have one of the best small engine repair channels on CZcams. Your persona is so personal, direct and spot on. No wonder you were included in those recent 2 personal videos with Steve and Dony, both CANADIANS! Good to have an AMERICAN in the upper crust small engine repair escalon! Good to see you also drink beer, must have seen Steve's trademark videos! Thanks again, Brie for your excellent videos. They have helped me immensely in repairing my equipment. Cheers, eh. Norm, Toronto 🍁🍺🍺.
Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful videos. I feel we live in the age of junk at the highest price. Your videos are very educational and help form purchasing decisions. Appreciated!
Excellent information! Thank you! Just replaced the belts on our rider, hope I did it right. Otherwise I’ll be doing it again, but will be wiser because of your video.
One thing I did to my belt guards was to modify them in such a way to make it easier to clean without taking them off every time I wanted to clean it up by just blowing all the crap out and worked fine I have an LA145 John Deere I bought new in 07 I think don't remember but still going strong just replacing the normal wear stuff
I tried the same thing, to get the debris out, but even with lots of large openings, I still have to remove the guard to clean it out.
Great video I agree 100% with her. In my younger days, I learned ONCE that you don't need a close belt, you need THE BELT. Excellent advice as always.
hey hey thank you so much on the advice i've always thought the belts stretch now i have a better understanding have a great weekend Chickanic
You are so right, I don't know how many of those J.D 100's come in with the belt gaurds missing!!
Guuuuurl you are the BEST!!!! I have watched 5 days worth of blah,blah blah,,,,, and your demeanor and explanation of systems keep it damn SIMPLE!!!!!! Got your site Saved my New Freind!!!!! Thanx!!!!!
Good video ! So true. Not only do the belts fit properly the OEM belts tend to be of superior quality and give much longer life .
Chickanic spreading knowledge, love it , lawn maintenance is finally picking up in upstate new york, it can snow up here on mothers day and of course Halloween, new york
Just switching over from snowblower mode to lawn cutting mode on Martha, My Deere, today. I'll closely inspect and lube the deck while it's out. Thanks for the video, Bre! ❤❤
Martha was Paul's dog 😊
You are a Beatles fan! Does anyone else name their mower or tractor?
@@MLenninger I name all my vehicles... LOL But not all after Beatles' tunes!
When Tyral fixes all is working on a mower and the phone rings .He always says that Money calling 😊
Amen, preach it Chickanic! Every point on the money. I don't know about John Deere but especially on the old craftsman(and several other brands that are all clones) with mechanical belt tightening function standard size deck there are parts that wear out. Sears parts made a kit to make these decks like new replacing the steel plate that swings back and forth....your pulley being at a bad angle and this part getting stuck is a hint it's worn out underneath. Almost every older deck I examined back in the day needs this kit.
Great info...perfect spring time content
I learned that years ago working on heavy equipment. This particular piece had a surpentin belt that required an OEM belt on it. I tried 3 different belts and each one lacked 3/8 " one way or the other. ( Longer or shorter ) to put on. NONE of them would work. So I had to drive 75 miles to the equipment dealer to get it. The belt was twice the price and not to mention the down time. Big down time loss , hundreds of dollars. Since then have an OEM spare in the truck. That's what they call a Bought Lesson. Great video.
yup been there done that...out grew the tee shirt. There were even some pieces of equipment when we had to tear a 'bunch' of stuff off to get to the belts to change them we would cable tie a spare set of belts in place so when the time was right we would just cut the old belts off and have the replacements in place to slide on. Sure save a lot of work when out on the job site and down time was costly.
But yeah...having the right belt makes a difference...almost all the time. (I have seen car fan belts jerry rigged to get out of the 'wilderness' a couple times...lol)
Thanks for the info Bre great video. Take care of yourself and family and be Blessed ❤️❤️👍.
You are the BEST. I learn so much from you. Thank you for your efforts.
Love how you pre positioned your icy cold beverage lol!!
I'll have to give mine a check next time I pull the deck for blade sharpening. Only have replaced it one time when I forgot to install the other side over the pulley- it sheared as soon as I engaged the PTO. Maybe 6-7 years old now, maybe 170 hours on it.
Thank you. Superb explanation.
After a couple of years, my belt would come off when I started it up. I noticed that one of the belt guards had broke off from the vibration. I loosed up one of the bolts and made a belt guard from a bent welding rod. It's been a year and it still works good. Great videos!! Thanks.
I love your shop bre, it reminds me of the one my fiend had in the 80's and 90's that i worked as a mechanic.👍👍
Hey good info on the mower belts.
They sure were a lot of string trimmers in for repair. I'm not a small engine mechanic, but i did for the first time just replace a carburetor on my string trimmer. Watched a lot of your repair videos. My trimmer blows mostly white smoke under loads, so next i am going to check spark arrester to see if it's clogged up. I think i seen you explain that too. Thanks for your info on repairs.
Another tip particularly for those folks that are working on older mowers. If it's constantly throwing belts, check the deck in and around where the idlers mount on the deck. While I'm not a pro small engine guy I've worked on alot of units and what I've seen alot on older MTD stuff with stamped decks is the deck will start pulling or cracking around where the idlers are pulling the whole thing out of alignment. At that point you have to fabri-cobble something together to reinforce the deck but keep the idler at the same height. Usually a piece of plate steel is welded onto the bottom of the deck with a hole through it for the idler and a longer bolt. Sometimes depending on the setup it might take some figuring to get everything right but you gotta get the alignment on the idlers right. If not it will throw belts forever.
You must be a Sarah-n-Tuned fan. Carl, TX
BRODIX! Glad to see you repping our hometown Mena, AR engine company!
We love BRODIX! Can Not buy better heads and blocks than what is cast in Mena, Arkansas!
Great Video . The last 25 years i sold Gates Lawn Mower Belts and you are right you have to put the exact same size back on the mower deck or Drive belt. if it is a belt that is in inches only then you can use a power rated gates green belt.
These belts are different than automotive belts. People think a belt is a belt. That's why people want a smaller one, because automotive belts do stretch. Great channel!
Naw - same deal. They wear just like described here.
Yeah, cut one in half, and you'll find they either have steel wire or kevlar cord in them. Neither will stretch.
I really enjoy your videos and this information is very helpful. I own a john deere La115 and have to replace the belt guards a few times. Once the guard starts wearing it causes issue with belts being thrown.
Love your Channel and that 1977 Corvette ❤❤
OEM parts commonly fit and function better than less expensive aftermarket parts as a rule. The key is finding a retailer that sells and service quality brands. Service them in the off season too. Saves frustration when you need to use it.
Terrific insight and advice. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Cheers from Montreal, Canada!
In recent times, it seems difficult to find replacement belts that aren't made in India. Even belts coming in OE sleeves are being manufactured there. They don't last. I have a 10 year old GT54LS with approx 630 hours on it. I used to get about 2 to 3 years out of an OE grade deck belt. The newer Husqvarna belts made in India would develop 3 to 4 cross section splits after only 6 to 8 months. I've found Oregon branded belts made in Mexico to hold up really well for the time being. Thanks for the awesome video!!!
Love you videos, you have saved me money in the past
Good see ya back on the air, what is best for the money is a zero-turn mower, looking to get one, looking forward to more of your videos thanks.
Love your channel. I had a neighbor and while mowing he would engage his blades 25 to 30 times. Yep, you could hear the belt to ERRRRR. lol
Good video at the perfect time. My drive belt on my 2001 Poulan Pro lawn tractor is beginning to smoke at the engine pulley when I climb a steep hill. I made a mistake of touching that pulley with my bare hand. Like touching a branding iron. I got a new belt and putting it on next week. Been trying to figure out how to change it.
Thank you much. Such usefull information. Take care.
What a great video! You are so precise in your explanation! I learn something from you wether I want to or not! 😂☮✌🏻
Great to be the shop owner. You can have a beer on premise while making CZcams videos!
I didn't know that good info you are a genius Bre.🇺🇲🇺🇲
Short sweet and Accurate love it
Nice Vette! I prefer the 1968 model (with added fender flares and side pipes) ....my father was a frame, alignment and body man who could do it all.....I mean ALL (including A/C Cobras body working with lead filler...not plastic). Being my dad taught me frame straightening and alignment I got to align many Corvettes when I worked in the automotive business from 1975 to 1989. My dad's shop was nick named "The Corvette Shop" because we did so many vettes adding flares, tilt front ends and all kinds of mods. My father passed in 2017 but I am looking forward to seeing him in heaven very soon (judging by world circumstances), I know my dad was born again (me too) so I have no doubt and can't wait to see my dad again. His first name was Adam and I was first born & with my mother calling him Adam and them both telling me to call him "dad" I was a confused little boy. Sooo... I made up my own name for him...... "Dad-um".... say it out loud and you'll get it! LOL Thank you for your videos.
Ever work on old gravley. 42 in deck. Mine 1969. Rebuilt eng. My Harley. Little noisey. Haha . Changing bellts on deck is a little rough. Still cuts great. Especially long grass. Have you seen any around. People don't realize worn belts cause worn pulleys. Hence belts don't last. Keep up good work . Love strange fixes.
All right all ready.....new belt same as the old....Geezzzz !👍
Funny you mention about the belt being too tight that I had a guy sell me a JD riding mover for $300 and said he didn't know what was wrong with it because the blades were always running even when they weren't engaged. I took it home and bought a belt and blades kit and changed out all parts and the thing ran like a champ.... still does today 😊
Great video by the way 👍🏼
I love your videos. I have been told all my life that belts stretch, thanks for straightening me out. Why would anyone replace a part with something that isn't right?
That girl taught me more about belts in 10 minutes than I learned in 50 years self taught! Nice to look at, too. Keep the vids coming. You guys really have a big following of mower repairs. Thanks for info.(are you sure belts don't stretch?)lol
Great video as always!! Thanks!!
I've been running my JD LA145 for 5 years now without the two black plastic deck belt guards with no problems. It makes changing the belt a lot quicker when needed and also eliminates the loose grass that always seems to get packed in there. Makes blowing off all the loose grass off the top of the deck when finished mowing before putting the mower away. And yes I always make sure the pulleys are not spinning before I step off the mower. In fact it is easier to see that the blades have completely stopped spinning because you can see the tops of the outer spindle pulleys and make sure everything has stopped. I wish you would so a video on what you do about the crappy Tuff Torq transmissions that all the JD LA1xx series mowers use and the known issues they have when they start slipping or just not moving the tractor when going up slight hills. I'm sure you've seen those issues in your shop.
I learn so much from you.
Great tip thx always learn something from you, take care
The frustration I feel when all the lawnmowers in my life tear up and I KNOW that taking them to someone to have them fixed will cost more money than I have cannot be expressed in words! The whole neighborhood knows because my yard looks completely ratchet next to my neighbors freshly cut and manicured yard and it's not because I'm lazy or don't care but because every time I turn around something is wrong with one or all of my mowers. And I don't have the money to pay someone to fix them. So thank you for what you do. You have taught this ole girl a few things!
Everyone on my street has a lawn tractor and sometimes I feel like it’s slightly ridiculous like it’s to bad we couldn’t all get together and just share one or two! With that said if a neighbours mower breaks down we all jump in to mow their lawn until it’s fixed.
Just the info i needed.
You lady "know the ropes" ! :) Have a great weekend.
Thanks Bre
I get what you're saying. But if you have an adjustable idler you will be able to use a slightly longer or shorter belt. I've done it, but that was on very old machines. Haven't changed a deck belt in a couple of decades. So maybe things have changed over the eons.😅 I'm pretty old.
P.S. I dig the music on your channel!👍😁
Thank you 👍
Awesome footage always keep stepping and fetching 💪 💪
Great vids and I strongly approve of your choice in beer.
I've got an old school lt 166 jd, I so know about the believe situation. I've been working on small equipment for about 20 years, have been in landscape, mowing, plowing business etc. So I have that knowledge to have it work, make it work whether it's right or wrong on only my personal equipment of course. I use that old jd to cut down very tall, overgrown turf at a compliance property that I mow only a few times over the summer, before I finish with the Lzs80 exmark that I refuse to abuse. I've got it down to a science with how gently I throw the PTO on and off, even the stupid timing belt on the freedom 42 deck, when that went wacky, I just turned it inside out! And it's still going! The only thing I've bought for that tractor, which is only a seat, cowling, and fenders in the past 10 years is a couple plugs, fuel filters, oil and filters of course, but no belts! Yes it was a learning curve, but I can't believe how much I beat that thing, and how good it is to me! I don't dare even look at the hydraulic drive belt, god only knows what that looks like!
I just changed the oil on my bronco without lifting the right side up to drain the oil and no I have no little hose to connect to the valve. Oil drained down my crank shaft and on my 2 pulleys and belts. I was so mad I could explode. Took me 3 hrs to drop the pulley and clean all the oil off with gas and alcohol. Learned a good lesson on that job.
Makes sense, thanks for the great vid as always, 👍👍
Good to know info, thanks.
Thank you
I replaced the belts, 4 of 'em, on my Craftsman rider a couple of years ago. The change I see, is they are fabric covered, instead of rubber belts like the originals.
I love that you named your dog Echo! I love Echo power equipment myself.
Thank you.❤
Absolutely 100 percent!!!
Great video good information. I have a Dixie chopper trying to find a 42 inch deck😊
first time i'd heard the dogs name.i thought DOGKANIC was a good choice.keep filling my brain with useful information.
Great video!
I have always thought the belt was stretching over the years. This proves that the belts do not stretch. I really like your belt size checker.
Good info. Thanks!
I don't know if it because I am an engineer but I figure if the manufacturer specifies a specific belt (or oil, or spark plug, or any other wear part) the best practice would be to use the specified parts. Thanks for helping me save time, money, and frustration! I am due to change the belt on my Exmark walk behind soon and I will be sure to get the specified one (or at least the correct length)
pro tip: there is a manufacturer's label on the mover with the serial number and their catalog number. if your belt is worn down to the point of needing replaced, your mechanic will have the information completely buried in their records, and that serial number and catalog number will save you a lot of trouble.
I spent a half hour yesterday with my mechanic digging through my history to order blades for my 2005 ExMark.
@@kenbrown2808 replacement.
@@thomasgronek6469 yes, you can only sharpen blades so many times before they are so worn, it's not worth the time it takes to grind them down further.
@@kenbrown2808 I habitually record all the information I can regarding serial numbers and part numbers into a Google sheet so that I can access them on my phone or computer at any time. I walked into the shop, went too many times when I was younger trying to remember the part number of what I needed a part for.
John Deere 100 series of 2020 year the belt specked would fall off as soon as engaged. Was the size and number from the John Deere dealer. The pulleys were all correct, no wobble from bearing issue. The tensioner is not adjustable and the cable pulled the pulley to the max throw, yet it was visibly loose. When engaged the belt was slipping and blades engaged very slowly, would stop the blades in deep grass.
Again this belt was stamped with correct JD number, yet loose. I measured it and it was what it was numbered at. John Deere was no help.
I kept researching and finally found where JD recalled this model 100 series because of this exact issue. Factory hand welded the tension pivot point 1 inch off on a run of these. So at the factory the belt used to make their mistake function was 1 inch shorter than spec. So I used an reputable brand of the length needed and have had no issues since!
The "take away" from this... Size *does* matter according to the Chickanic!! 🤣