How to Change the Drive Belt on an MTD Mower

MTD mowers have a drive belt running beneath the mower. The drive belt ensures that the mower moves properly. After many working hours, the belt of your MTD mower will wear down, become brittle or break in two. Replace the belt as soon as there is an issue. The mower has two belts in the variable-speed pulley area. Because the belts work with each other, replace both at the same time to prevent performance issues.

Hex key
Pliers
Socket wrench
7/16 socket
Spring puller
Drive belt

Instructions

- 1
  Roll the mower onto a flat surface. Set the parking brake.
- 2
  Lift up the hood of the vehicle and unplug the spark plug from the unit by pulling on the connector. This prevents the unit from turning on while you are working on it.
- 3
  Lower the deck to the lowest position.
- 4
  Remove the hex bolts from around the engine pulley and pull off the drive belt with a hex key.
- 5
  Remove the pins holding the mower deck in place using a pair of pliers. Remove the deck by pulling it out from under the unit. Raise the mower deck control.
- 6
  Lift up the seat of the mower. Disconnect the battery by lifting up on the black cable first, then the red.
- 7
  Look down under the battery. Loosen the nut holding the transaxle pulley in place with a 7/16 socket wrench.
- 8
  Disconnect the spring from the anchor bolt on the left side of the machine using a spring puller to relieve the tension in the spring.
- 9
  Remove the drive belt from the transaxle pulley. Lift the middle sheave to remove the belt from the transaxle pulley.
- 10
  Install the new belt and reassemble the mower by reversing these instructions.

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