How to Install a Belt on a John Deere 48-Inch Mower Deck

Park the John Deere on flat ground. Press down the foot brake and activate the parking brake switch. Move the clutch lever down into the "Disengaged" position. Slide the key to the "Off" position and take it out. Wait for the moving parts to stop, then disconnect the spark plug wires from the ends of the spark plug.

Set the wood blocks under both sides of the mower deck. Push the lift lever forward to lower the mower deck onto the wood blocks. Pull out the spring locking pins and washers that connect the rear draft arms to the mower deck, near the seat. Disconnect the rear draft arms on both sides of the mower.

Pull the spring locking pin and washer out of the front draft rod, under the mower, and disconnect the front rod from the mower deck bracket. Pull the mower drive belt off the engine's drive pulley. Remove the wood blocks and slide the deck from underneath the mower.

Unscrew the seven capscrews and take off the left and right belt shields. Loosen the sheaves on top of the two pulleys that sit side by side, inside the triangle of the three mandrel pulleys, using a socket wrench. Pull the old mower belt off the deck.

Install the new drive belt following the exact same routing as the old belt. Work the belt down into the groove of each pulley. Tighten the two sheaves on top of the pulleys to 35 lbs. foot torque. Set the belt shields back on top and tighten down all seven capscrews. Reinstall the mower deck in reverse.