How to Replace the Drive Belt on a Craftsman Riding Mower

First place the lawn mower on a flat surface, like a concrete apron.

Craftsman riding mowers, also sometimes known as lawn tractors, use two drive belts: the drive belt is the principal belt, and is used for the mower itself; the blade drive belt is for the mower blade. Replacing the drive belt involves removing the old belt, which includes removing some screws; and replacing it with a new one. Replacing the belt on a Craftsman riding mower can be accomplished by following a few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• Replacement belt
• Cell phone camera
• Screwdrivers
• Wrenches
• Brush

Instructions

1. Place the lawn mower on a flat surface, like a concrete apron, turn the engine off and set the parking brake. Take out the screws from the left mandrel cover, and take off the cover. Observe the pattern that the drive belt makes threaded through the various parts of the mower. A cell phone camera can be a useful tool here, so if you have one, take a photograph.

2. Roll the belt over the top of the left hand mandrel pulley and take the belt off the electric clutch pulley. Brush any accumulated grass off and make sure that the arms and idlers rotate freely. Check the spring is still in the idler arm and motor housing bolt.

3. Install the new belt in both idlers and in the belt keepers, and follow the pattern from your cell phone camera picture to complete installation. Don't forget the electric clutch pulley to the side. Roll the belt into the upper groove of the left hand mandrel pulley and re-assemble the left mandrel cover with the screws.

References

• Craftsman: 917.273060 Garden Tractor Owner's Manual

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish