[billey100]

Just so I dont screw it up and kill a new belt can someone tell me the real world steps to replacing the belt on a 420 60" mower deck?

I have figured out that I have the later deck according the parts diagram or SN 525001 and above. I have an owners manual for the deck and the steps seem pretty simple but it doesnt show any pictures. I want to do it right and the belt hasnt been changed in a long time so anything else I should do during the steps other than the normal grease and lube check?

 

[knottyrope]

see if spindles and all pulleys are turning smooth

 

[knottyrope]

pic of belt route
http://www.wfmachines.com/discus/messages/335/217891.html

 

[billey100]

Thanks Knot, do I need to remove anything involving the gear box and the sheave? It mentions taking off a guard other than the two pulley shields but only other shield is attached to the whole assembly with the box and the sheave.

Luckily my belt is still on and I plan to take pics before I take it off. I cant believe how long those belts last for as much abuse as they take. It has a chunk out of it and cracked in a few places that must have happened at the end of the year last year and it was still mowing fine.

 

[hankvc]

Kevin, changing the belt on one of those mowers is fairly simple. Once you have the sheet metal covers off, R&R will be obvious by inspection.

If you do not have the belt routing in your manuals, or on a decal on your mower, make a sketch of it before you remove the old belt.

Easiest way I know of to release the tension on a spring-loaded arm is to put a long box wrench on either the nut or the bolt on the idler pulley mount to pull the spring out so that you can slip the belt off an idler. Same for installation.

With the belt off, check the spindle and idler bearings. They should be absolutely smooth when you turn them.

Hank

 

[billey100]

Thanks Hank, I havent done it yet but I plan to on Tuesday. I wasnt sure what was involved in removing the shield and gear box assembly as it is pretty vague in the manual. But when I went to the dealer to the gear oil, he showed me a few pictures in a better tech manual than mine how to move that aside I think.