Install the new belt onto the mandrel pulley with the large belt guide by slipping it between the pulley and the guide. Remove the retainer spring and washer by hand from the pin protruding through the hole in the front right suspension arm located on the upper front of the deck, and then disengage the link. Install the belt around the three mandrel pulleys with the "V" of the belt facing inward toward the pulley groves. Belt diagram for craftsman riding mower. Turn the engine off and remove the ignition key. Take note of the belt configuration and remove the old belt from all drive and idler pulleys. Secure it with the washer and retainer spring removed earlier. Consequently, periodic belt checks are called for -- and when it becomes necessary, replacing the belt takes less than an hour.
Remove the screws securing both mandrel covers to the left and right of the deck using a Phillips screwdriver. Slide the deck under the tractor and center it front to back and side to side. Point the mower deck suspension arms towards the front. Slip the belt off the pulley by hand. Park the mower on a firm level surface. During normal mowing operations on an established lawn, the deck belt on your Craftsman FS5500 riding mower usually lasts for two or three mowing seasons. Work it down onto the pulley with your hands. Craftsman riding mower drive belt diagram. Wind the belt onto the mandrel pulley near the grass discharge.
Reach under the right rear of the mower deck. If necessary, refer to the photo you took after removing the mower deck from the lawn tractor. Belt diagram for a craftsman riding mower. Set the parking brake, place the clutch lever in the "Disengaged" position and lower the attachment lift lever to its lowest position. Disconnect the front link between the deck and the mower chassis by removing the retainer spring and washer from the pin on the chassis and pulling the front of the link from the pin.
Unwind the remainder of the old belt off the idler pulley, located on top of the mower deck near the rear of it. Remove the old belt from the mandrel pulley located on top of the mower deck near where the cut grass discharges. Diana K. Williams is a certified Master Gardener, has more than a decade of experience as an environmental scientist, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and environmental studies from the Ohio Northern University. Reach underneath and remove the belt from the electric clutch pulley situated in front of the deck. Pull the deck towards the right until the bar falls from the hole in the bracket. Maintain a firm grip, lever downward and push the end toward the tractor to disengage the spring-loaded rod from the slot in the lock bracket. After graduating from the University of the Witwatersrand and qualifying as an aircraft engineer, Ian Kelly joined a Kitchen remodeling company and qualified as a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD). Once free, ease the end slowly upward to release tension on the mower deck belt. Ensure the belt is completely in the pulley grooves. The second mandrel pulley is located directly across from the first mandrel pulley, on top of the mower deck.
Wrap the belt around the idler pulley in the same pattern as the original belt. Remove all dirt and grass clippings from around the pulleys and the upper deck surface with a stiff-bristle brush. Kelly then established an organization specializing in home improvement, including repair and maintenance of household appliances, garden equipment and lawn mowers. Go to the other side of the tractor and reinstall the left front suspension arm the same way. Go to the other side of the mower and disengage the left front suspension arm and left rear lift arm the same way. Move to the right of the mower. Reinstall the front right suspension arm by sliding the slot on the end over the pin protruding from the chassis and replacing the washer and retainer spring removed earlier. When working on your lawn mower, always engage the brake to prevent rollaway, turn off the engine and remove the key to prevent injury. Replacing the deck belt on your Craftsman lawn mower is a relatively easy operation once the mower deck is removed from the lawn tractor.
Grasp the forward-facing belt tension rod on the upper left of the mower deck. Loop the flat side of the belt over the two idler pulleys and feed the loose end of the belt forward towards the clutch pulley position. If you forgot to take a picture of your mower's deck belt before removing it, refer to your mower's owner manual for the correct routing pattern. Slide the mower deck out from under the right side of the tractor. Ensure the belt is fully in the pulley groove and belt guide. Repeat and attach the left rear lift link the same way. Then you only need your two hands to remove the old belt and install the new one. Reconnect the front link and secure it to the pin on the chassis with the washer and retainer spring removed earlier.