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Repair information and troubleshooting for Craftsman-brand riding lawnmowers.

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How to replace drive belt on Craftsman riding mower

The drive belt broke today on my Craftsman model # 917255441 riding lawn tractor. I went to Sears and bought a new drive belt, but I do not have a clue as to how to put it back on the tractor. I need a diagram. Can you help?

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hey Linda, my name is Jo this to happened to me, I got a replacement belt, figured out how to lower the mower deck, remove the blade belt, then came the problem I can't get it around the pto pulley. Did you get it fixed, and can someone help me

Thanks

Jo

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need to replace blade belt on 1700

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Read more : lawntoolsguide.com

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Here is the deck belt routing I use on my craftsman DSY 4500:

Start by anchoring the belt on right pulley (imagine you are sitting in driver seat for directions: front= north, back = south, left=west, right=east). Take front/north of belt from the far right pulley and pull to the south, then north, then south around the three middle pulleys (it will now be around four total if you count the far right pulley). Then pull the belt north to the pulley under the engine and around and out to the farthest pulley on the left. And the belt then runs straight across the back/south of all the pulleys, from the far left back to the far right pulley.

Hope this helps and wish I knew how to upload a pic.

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Need help with belt replacement on LT1500

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Chosen Solution

I did a search for lawn mower manuals and found this site:

Mower Manuals

Now, you might find (as I did) that most of them look about the same, regardless of exact model.

Before you start, lower the mower deck to the lowest position it will go. This will give you clearance to work. Some models have a special service position that is lower than the normal cutting range.

It is highly likely that the pulleys have guards / covers over them that must be removed with a small wrench. Make your life easy and spray them down with liquid wrench, WD-40, or some kind of solvent to loosen the bolts before you start scraping up your knuckles.

Look at the two pictures I have placed below. They are from two different manuals for two different lawn mowers and, other than the angle and the amount of detail, they are just about the same. Notice the covers over the pulleys have already been removed for easy access.

Update

I lost my pictures; still new at this. Let me try this again.

Block Image

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can somebody tell me about a craftsman drivebelt not a deck belt the man belt that makes it go back and forth all i need is a picture for a lt 2000 craftsman made in 2011 if any exist before I really get !#^&@@ at this mower I need it to work around the middle pulleys please

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Sean, I posted a link to a video. Start at the 3:50 mark where he begins installing it. I've done a bunch of belts and still occasionally get whipped by a diagram vs actual hands on. Also, removing the battery and its box gives excellent access to the rear.

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Oh, I absolutely love my LT2000 over any mower I've ever owned. The automatic transmission is great vs. The stop & shift/lurch of the other drives.

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Most Helpful Answer

Linda,

Here is a list of Craftsman Lawn Mower manuals. Go down the list until you find your model number, then click on that, then click past a few advertisements until you see the "get manual" button light up. Click on that, and you will have your manual in PDF format.

Regards,

Frank

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what happens for the excess belt

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There is a belt diagram on all craftsman L&G troctors located under running board since1990....

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most I should say

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Thank you Joe, you da man...

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I discovered mine under there when I started replacing mine. If you will, look at my post below please. Has anyone seen this issue?

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Two belts do you agree

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This deck has 1drive1 deck

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The drive belt drives the rear axle and tires. It runs from the front pulley to a pulley located over the rear axle. You do not have to remove the deck. Put the belt on the front pulley and run it above the mower deck, through the belt tensioners, and back to the rear axle. To access the rear pulley, remove the battery and the battery holder so that you can see the pulley from above. Put the gear shift in neutral, or chock the front tires and jack up the rear axle so that the rear tires are off the ground. This will allow the rear pulley to turn freely. Reach through the battery compartment to the pulley, get the new belt started onto the right front of the pulley (you may need to use a flat screwdriver to help ease the belt into the groove of the pulley), hold the belt tight to the pulley with your right hand, use both your right and left hands to rotate the pulley in a clockwise direction. The belt will come around and finally end up in the pulley groove.

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Sid -- thank you for this practical solution. After reading other posts about removing the deck, etc., I was very intimidated. But your solution worked beautifully. Thank you!

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My thanks too. I used your method and it worked perfectly. Easy access through the battery compartment,

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Thanks this will take care of this headach

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There r 2 springs on my mower deck both are broken I ordered thm from sears.I figured out where on goes the other has a lever on the left side that reaches across the back side of the deck has a hole in it for the spring . I cant figure out where the other end of the spring fastens

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Hi

I replace my drive belt on my Craft man 2000 ,but it keeps coming off .could you please tell me why .every time I engage the blades it comes off .

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If the belt was not somewhat difficult to fit onto the right-hand mower blade puiiey sheave (which requires partial detachment of the right plade hub from the deck top, the the incorrect belt was probably ordered and installed. it is important that only belts delivered from the factory and marked Craftsman Avoid generic. belts stocked in stores, do not purchase by belt length--unlike cars, riding mowers pulleys cannot be adjusted to increase belt tension.

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I've also taken photos while the belt is still intact. Once the thing breaks it will be harder to follow the diagram in the manual and also on the tractor underside. That is literally the only thing I have not had to replace with my 8 year old Craftsman. Youtube and repairclinic.com videos have shown me how to fix things nearly every time. Thanks Sid. I'm going to copy/paste your answer for future reference. With my luck, it is bound to happen sometime soon.

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Had my Craftsman power belt replaced professionally. Sold the tractor and bought a Cub Cadet. A world of difference to the better.

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Linda will be eternally grateful.
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