When the deck belt on your John Deere riding lawn mower begins to make noise, slip, or snap, it’s time to replace it. It’s a good idea to stay on top of maintenance and repairs to extend the life of your mower. Though changing the deck belt on your lawn mower may seem overwhelming, it’s a relatively easy task. Here’s how to change the deck belt on a John Deere riding lawn mower.
Before performing any maintenance on your John Deere lawn mower, refer to your operator’s manual for maintenance, safety information, and instructions for your machine. Maintenance instructions vary by model, so depending on your riding lawn mower model our instructions may vary slightly.
Before changing the deck belt, make sure your lawn mower is parked on a flat, level surface. Shut off the engine, remove the key from the ignition, and disconnect the spark plug wire to prevent accidental starting.
Once this is done, raise the deck height lever to the highest setting. Place wooden blocks under each side of the mower deck to prepare for deck removal. Lower the deck height lever to its lowest position so the mower deck rests on the blocks.
Disconnect the deck lift linkages by removing the pins and washers. Remove the linkages from the deck, disconnect the rear draft arm, and disconnect the mower deck belt to remove the deck from the mower. Remove the wooden blocks and allow the deck wheels to touch the ground. Slide the deck from underneath the mower.
Remove the belt covers by removing the screws that hold it in place. Loosen the sheaves and remove the old deck belt. Replace it with a new John Deere deck belt.
Route the deck belt around the sheaves and pulleys, following the same path as the belt you removed. Replace the belt covers and screw them into place, and re-tighten the sheaves with the belt in position.
Place the deck height lever in the transport position to reattach the mower deck. Slide the deck back under the machine. Reinstall the pins and washers to reattach the linkage to the deck, and reattach the rear draft arm to the deck.
Lastly, reconnect the spark plug ignition wire and start the mower.
How to Change the Deck Belt on a John Deere Riding Lawn Mower
