How to Put a Secondary Belt on a Craftsman Lawn Mower

Craftsman riding mowers use a secondary belt to drive the pulley system on the mower deck. The secondary belt uses power from the engine to turn the mower blades. The belt eventually wears out and stretches. When the belts stretches it slips on the pulley system and reduces cutting efficiency. Replacing the belt with a new one eliminates this issue.

Instructions

1. Locate the PTO/Blade Engage" lever and position it to the "disengage" location. This turns off the mower deck and creates slack in the secondary belt.

2. Turn off the mower and set the parking brake to ensure the mower does not move while you work on it.

3. Lower the deck height to its lowest position with the adjustment lever located on the mower deck. This gives you room to work between the top of the mower deck and the bottom of the mower.

4. Pull the secondary belt off the pulley mounted on the bottom of the Craftsman motor and slide the belt back toward the mower deck.

5. Take not of how the belt routes around the pulley on the mower deck and remove the belt from the pulley system.

6. Place the new belt onto the pulley system in the same manner as the old belt was routed.

7. Pull the belt toward the motor. Wrap the belt around the pulley mounted on the bottom of the mower.

References

• Manage My Life: Craftsman Mower Manual