How to Install a Belt on a Craftsman GT 22.5 HP Riding Mower

Mower Deck Removal

• 1

  Park the mower on a level area and engage the parking brake. Turn the engine off and remove the ignition key.

• 2

  Lower the deck to its lowest position by moving the lift lever fully forward. Turn the height adjustment knob counter clockwise all the way to provide slack in the mower suspension.

• 3

  Remove the double loop pin from the anti-sway bar connected to the chassis bracket under the left footrest with a pair of pliers, then the disconnect the sway bar.

• 4

  Pull the double loop pins from the inward pointing deck pins on the mower deck suspension arms and disconnect the suspension arms from the mower deck.

• 5

  Lift the mower linkage out of the way by moving the lift control lever backward.

Mower Blade Drive Belt Replacement

• 6

  Undo the four screws securing both the left and right-hand mower blade mandrel covers to the mower deck with a socket wrench and remove both covers.

• 7

  Remove the mower drive belt as outlined in the "Mower Drive Belt Replacement" section below.

• 8

  Slide the belt off the right-hand mandrel pulley by rolling it upward out of its groove.

• 9

  Unhook the spring from between the central idler pulley arm and the spring retaining bolt on the mower deck.

• 10

  Remove the belt from both the lower groove on the left-hand mandrel pulley, and from around the idler pulley.

• 11

  Clean both mandrels and the entire upper deck surface by removing all dirt and grass clippings with a stiff bristle brush.

• 12

  Move the primary idler pulley arm back and forth and rotate both idler pulleys to ensure that all parts move freely.

• 13

  Install the new mower blade drive belt by looping it over the lower groove in the left-hand mandrel pulley, the idler pulley, and the central mandrel pulley.

• 14

  Roll the belt into the groove on the right-hand mandrel pulley and ensure that it's seated squarely in the groove.

• 15

  Ensure that the spring between the left-hand secondary idler pulley and the sway bar bracket is still in place.

Mower Drive Belt Replacement

• 16

  Remove the mower drive belt by rolling it over the upper groove of the L.H. mandrel pulley.

• 17

  Push the deck forward slightly and remove the drive belt from the electric clutch pulley.

• 18

  Slide the belt off both idler pulleys.

• 19

  Unhook the spring from between the central primary idler pulley arm and the spring retaining bolt on the deck.

• 20

  Move the primary idler pulley arm back and forth and rotate both idler pulleys to ensure that all parts move freely.

• 21

  Position the new mower drive belt in both idler pulley grooves between the belt keepers and the pulley.

• 22

  Roll the belt onto the upper groove of the left hand mandrel pulley and ensure that it's seated properly.

• 23

  Place the belt over the electric clutch pulley and ensure that it’s seated properly.

• 24

  Check that the belt is resting evenly in all pulley grooves; double check to see that it's positioned between the belt keepers and the idler pulleys.

• 25

  Stretch the idler pulley spring slightly and hook it over the spring retaining bolt on the deck.

• 26

  Bolt both the left and right-hand mandrel covers back onto the deck and tighten securely.

• 27

  Reattach the mower deck to the tractor by reversing the steps carried out in the "Disconnect the Mower Deck" section above.