How to replace the drive belt on a Murray riding mower may be more difficult than other types of lawnmower. This lawnmower has two belts. The first one is a transmission belt, and the second one is a deck drive belt.
Fortunately, instead of worrying, you have an effective way to deal with the situation. No need to bring your lawnmower to the repair service. This article will show you how to replace the drive belt on a Murray riding mower at home with some basic tools.
How to replace the drive belt on a Murray riding mower
After a long time driving without maintenance, your lawnmower belt is easy to stretch or break. The consequences are more serious than what you think. Working with a bad status mowing deck drive belt, the engine will be an all-time overworking. That can damage not only the related part but also the whole lawnmower.
Let’s follow the steps to check the belt and replace it if needed:
The necessary tools:
The right tools help you complete the replacement without effort. The tools that you need are:
- A pair of heavy-duty gloves.
- An adjustable wrench.
- A strong screwdriver such as Wera Kraftform.
- Some pliers are in different sizes.
Step 1: Determine the model of mowing deck drive belt
If you want to do the replacement, You need to have a proper new belt. To buy a right belt, you can follow one of the following:
- You can find a suitable belt by looking up your maintenance book.
- Look at the belt and find its series.
- Search on Google to find the kind of belt that is used for your lawnmower.
- Call the store and ask for consulting or buy a new mowing deck drive belt on Amazon
Choosing the belt wrongly is wasting money. The length and the shape are wrong. You can’t use it for the replacement.
Related post: Simple steps to adjust mower deck on Husqvarna zero turn
Step 2: Park your lawnmower in a convenient place and have some preparation
Place your lawnmower on a flat surface. Then you disengage the mowing parts. Don’t forget to turn your lawnmower off.
If your lawnmower is hot, wait some minutes for it to cool down. Thanks to this, you can prevent damage from the hot part. Moreover, you can do the replacement easier.
Besides, you need to set the blades in LOCK mode. Then lose the connection between the spark plug and the igniting wire. This helps the engine doesn’t start suddenly.
Step 3: Extract the rear suspension arms
First, extract the rear suspension arms. You lose the connection between the rear suspension arms and the chassis. The rear suspension arms have a rectangular shade. This helps stabilize the position of the pulley system. This is the reason why the belt doesn’t slip when working.
You pull the spring pins to disconnect it. Then extract the washers. Because this part of the lawnmower has a lot of mechanisms, taking a video can help you make the installation more comfortable.
Moreover, you should put a bolt in the same place as its washer. Thanks to this, the reattaching will be easier.
When removing, check the related parts. If you see that there are any wear or tear parts, you should replace them.
Step 5: Remove lawnmower’s first hanger
Extracting the front hanger isn’t difficult. To do this, you just need to lose the connection between the chassis and the hairpin. Let’s extract from the joining rod’s end.
To help the work go smoother, you can lose one or more bolts. When you extract the first hanger, remember to do it gently.
Step 6: Extract the belt
To reach the mower belt to have some adjustments, you need to extract the external structures first. You rotate the pulley. Then you extract the casing by sliding it out of the chassis.
Open the nuts or other mechanisms that help stabilize the belt. Then the belt is ready to be out.
Set the blade in brake mode, install the suitable belt into the pulley. Rotate the pulley a few times. This helps the new belt become familiar with the lawnmower. Remember that tightening the belt with the pulleys is important. If not, when you start the engine again, the blades will disengage. The reason is that the belt is stretching.
You can apply some greasing on the pulley. This maintenance will help the belt operation smoother.
Step 7: Reinstall the housing and the suspension arms
Put the mower housing on the chassis. Then slide it to install. Tighten the connections of the joining rod. Install the hairpin and washer in counter order as you extract them.
Step 8: Start the machine
Now, your lawnmower has a new belt. Use your hand rotating the blades to check that they perform rightly or not.
If it says everything is alright, it’s time to start the engine. First, you need to connect the ignition wire to the spark plug. After you run it, let the engine work in some minutes. This helps the idle belt adapt to moving easier.
Some notices
#1: Precautionary measures are necessary for all situations.
#2: Because the belt area has a lot of mechanisms, taking video helps you reinstall more effectively.
#3: If the new belts don’t come from the Original Equipment Manufacturer. You should have a length and a shape check.
#4: You should replace all the belts at the same time. If they are new and old, the machine pulley system may have some interplays when working.
FAQs
1. The signs that tell me the belt needs to be replaced?
It depends. However, the lifespan of a lawnmower is about a few years. If you have good maintenance, you can extend the lifespan. If you park the lawnmower under the sun outside, the lifespan is shorter.
The clear sign of an out-of-date belt is the pulley is seized.
Further reading: Why does a lawn mower live such a hard life? How to extend its lifespan?
2. Why does the replacement can’t solve the stretching?
There are some reasons:
- The idler pulley is out of proper position.
- The bearings are wear or tear.
Final thoughts
How to replace the drive belt on a Murray riding mower process may be a bit different from different Murray models. Fortunately, this article tells you the general. Don’t worry. This is a proven guide.