How Do You Replace A Mowing Belt On Craftsman Riding Mowers?
There are three belts on a Craftsman riding lawn mower or lawn tractor. One is the drive belt that runs from the transaxle pulley to the clutch (referred to as the PTO). The other two belts operate the mower deck. The upper belt is the deck-to-PTO belt. This belt is driven by the drive belt usually on a series of 2 or 3 pulleys and is the easiest one to change. The mower arbor belt is the lower belt that routes on a series of 2 or 3 pulleys and is directly driven by the upper deck-to-PTO belt. Place the deck in the lowest position using the hydraulic piston (if applicable) or the manual cutting-height adjuster. Remove the deck-to-PTO belt from the PTO by releasing tension on the idler-arm pulley. This is a spring-loaded handle that turns in only one direction by hand and relieves the tension on the belt. Slip the deck-to-PTO belt off the PTO pulley after the tension is relieved. Remove the deck from underneath the mower or tractor. Locate any belt stops and loosen them with the ratchet
