[QUICK FIX!] Craftsman riding mower belt replacement and deck leveling
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- My Craftsman LT1000 (from 2003) was not engaging the blades due to an old and worn out belt. Replacing the belt is very easy and afterwards I level the deck to ensure an even mow. You don't need any special tools for this job - just a pair of pliers and some simple wrenches/sockets. If I can fix it, so can you!
Link to belt on Amazon - www.amazon.com...
This is not a sponsored video
I have a 90's LT just like this in silver. Belt failed in a big way a few days ago. When kevlar lets go, it goes! Somehow the left side idler pulley and bracket got thrown 180 out of position. When I put the new belt on today, it was way to slack. I watched your video to see that my pulley was all catywhampus. Took it off and turned it right, now its working right as rain! Thank you for posting this! Excellent reference!
That's awesome!! Glad you're back up and running!
Thanks for making this video. It was very helpful how you explained what you were doing and then showed how you did it, like when you measured the two sides of the deck. Anybody can read the instructions, but I find it helpful to see how you actually DO what they say to do. So thank you for that! I hope you have more videos on how to fix stuff - I need a lot of help! Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
I ran my business with this mower for 2 years what a beast it was!
In the past, I have dropped the deck on an old piece of carpet. Pulling on the carpet makes it easier to slide out.
That's a great idea! Especially if you're working on a rough surface or on the lawn itself! Thanks Bill!
I set mine down on a couple 2 x 4's. Makes it easy to pull off the height linkages. Then pull a bit to the right to get the cables off everything. Then fully to the right to remove.
I have a 2005 Craftsman LT1000 and I don't remove the deck to change the deck drive belt. I take off the cover over the left spindle to do this.
Good to know, will try next time!
I have the same model,do you know what it’s the deck drive belt size?
@@JuanMedina-oe9js look at beginning of vid, he shows you the new belt
You should make a video for
people like me (do not know anything about this lol)
@@JuanMedina-oe9js1/2” x 95-1/2”
Great video had belt changed and running again in 1/2 hour thx
Gotta get the gauge wheels because it cuts like garbage without them. It made a huge difference in cut quality after I added the gauge wheels.
Thank you! earned a sub!
I have a craftsman 917.255520 I can’t find what aftermarket belt should be used 38” deck
Thank you.
he is a mechanic
I have the ys4500 having trouble getting it on the last pulley any ideas???
Love it brother keep going
Thank you, I will!
how did ya get the tension off the belt to get it on the front pulley ?
The entire belt is driven by tension. Meaning, to engage the blades, we need to apply tension to the belt by pulling on the movable pulley (via the engagement lever). This means that normally, the entire belt is "loose". Therefore, it should be quite easy to remove from the front pulley (the one coming from the engine that drives the belt). Does that help?
Is there any way to adjust the tension in the belts?
I have a craftsman t1200 the belt keeps jumping off can’t figure out what the problem is sometimes it will allow me to mow awhile before jumping off but I have to mow with the deck lever on 3 if I try to mow on anything lower will pop off or if I raise or lower deck it will come off any ideas what problem could be
I have a Cub Cadet 2166 that keeps breaking belts, I think I've given up on it, so I'm using the Craftsman PYT9000 mowers instead now.
Did not show removal of the actuator cable, which you need to remove to get deck out from under mower.
My issue too! More detail is needed!
Yikes - you're right, I totally skipped that part! Ugh! So sorry for the lapse, I'll try to get some pics/video in the near future and then link in the video for reference.
@@ificanfixitsocanyoudid you post anything about it yet? I’m kinda lost under my lawn mower right now 😅
Not sure that was particularly helpful. At the beginning it was a whirlwind of pulling clips of pins. But, which clips, which pins. Eventually it seemed you have to remove the mower deck, but that was not obvious!
Do u gotta drop the deck?
What about belt tension???? Tensioner, how does that hook up?!
In the video, when looking down on the deck, the pulley second from the right is on a moveable arm. It is attached to a linkage/arm that engaged the drive belt. (In some mowers, it is actuated by a cable.) When you engage the drive belt, it pulls on that pulley, increasing the belt tension, and thus spinning the blades!
@@ificanfixitsocanyou I hooked up the spring end of the cable to that pulley. When the pulley is moved rearward, it pushes the arm plate and disengages the breaks. Problem is, can't engage it with the lever. Only goes half way. And the cable makes a sharp 180 degree turn, which in itself is problematic. But I don't see any other way!
Odd! Can you send me a picture? My email is in my About section of the channel - maybe we can figure this out for you!
Can this be done without pulling out the mower deck?
It can! Once you know how the belt goes on, and around each pulley, you should be able to swap it without removing the whole deck. While I have not done that myself, you would at least need to lower the deck completely, and may need to disconnect the engagement cable. I removed the deck because it's not too much work, and allowed me to more easily show you how everything goes together. Let me know how it goes!
@@ificanfixitsocanyou Thanks I sure will let you know if I’m able to figure it out without removing the deck.
@@ificanfixitsocanyou Just got it done without pulling the deck. Not to bad at all besides the summer heat 😎👍🏻
@@ificanfixitsocanyou I agree. Dropping the deck is a 10 minute thing. Removing it also allows you to inspect the linkage's and springs and make sure everything else is good to go. Once you drop it out, may as well inspect everything. Lasts at least another year that way. No surprises!
Hardest part was figuring out how to disconnect cable from frame and spring/hook. I think I failed to to replace clip on spring/shaft connection and it may have caused the first belt to fail. Finally saw hole for clip in top of shaft that hook goes over! Video kind of skips over that part of installation. Otherwise, definitely made the job almost easy. Not rocket science!!🤦🤣🤣🤣🤣
you dont have to take the deck off
You're right! But for first time DIY'ers, I felt it was more clear to show how the belt loops around the pulleys when the deck was off. As you change the belt more and more often, it can be done in-place!
Is this a 96” belt or a 65”?
It's a 1/2" x 95" belt, I included a link in the video description. It's Craftsman part number 144959, but the belt I purchased has multiple part numbers - that is, this belt fits multiple mowers. Good luck!
@@ificanfixitsocanyou you’re the best. I found the correct belt and installed it. Many thanks !
Are both of the flat idler pulleys the same diameter? I have the same belt and it is super tight on the crank pulley; I used the part number you discussed and also a stens belt. I think both idler pulleys are same diameter on this mower deck (same mower) any help would be great !!
Thanks!
Who makes that craftsman ride one
Hi Peter! I'm not sure what you're asking? It seems the belt was made by Power Drive, but I didn't research belt brands, etc.
No springs?
Not sure what you mean? There are two springs which apply the brakes to the spindles (you can see them next to the left-most and right-most pulleys). Of the four pulleys on the mower deck, three are fixed in place and the third (second from the right) is moveable. It is pulled back via cable, tightening the belt, to engage the blades. When it is pulled back, the spindle brakes are released.
@@ificanfixitsocanyou Ok i see Thank you
What size belt is it?!
1/2" x 95" - double check your specific model before ordering, just to be sure!
@@ificanfixitsocanyou My older LT1000 can use a 94 1/2 or 95" x 1/2". Kevlar is preferable and they really outlast the plain black rubber ones.
you don't have to remove the deck to replace the belt. Just a waste of time
You're right! By removing the deck, I was able to better show how the belt must be positioned on the pulleys, for those who are unfamiliar.
you don't have to pull a deck to replace a blade belt. That is a 2 minute job.
Correct! But it makes it easier to see what's going on
Can this be done without removing the mower deck?
Yes, I do think you can replace the belt without removing the deck - but it may be challenging. There's not much room between the deck and mower frame to get your arms in. I removed the deck to make it easier to see what's going on.
I have a 2005 Craftsman LT1000 and I don't remove the deck to change the deck drive belt. I take off the cover over the left spindle to do this.
YES!