Remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug and secure the wire safely away from the plug. Craftsman 50 inch riding mower belt diagram. But when mowing through unfinished areas, friction caused by flying dust, gravel and debris causes abnormal belt wear. Point the mower deck suspension arms towards the front. Reach under the right rear of the mower deck. During normal mowing operations on an established lawn, the deck belt on your Craftsman FS5500 riding mower usually lasts for two or three mowing seasons.
Turn the tractor steering wheel so that the wheels point all the way towards the left. Go to the other side of the tractor and reinstall the left front suspension arm the same way. The second mandrel pulley is located directly across from the first mandrel pulley, on top of the mower deck. Grasp the forward-facing belt tension rod on the upper left of the mower deck. Once free, ease the end slowly upward to release tension on the mower deck belt. Remove all dirt and grass clippings from around the pulleys and the upper deck surface with a stiff-bristle brush. Reconnect the front link and secure it to the pin on the chassis with the washer and retainer spring removed earlier. Craftsman riding lawn mower belt. Ensure the belt is completely in the pulley grooves. Repeat by disengaging the right rear lift link from the right lift arm bracket situated on the upper rear of the deck. Diana K. Williams is a certified Master Gardener, has more than a decade of experience as an environmental scientist, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and environmental studies from the Ohio Northern University. Wind the belt onto the mandrel pulley near the grass discharge. Slide the loose front section of the new belt over the electric clutch pulley.
Then you only need your two hands to remove the old belt and install the new one. Remove the screws securing both mandrel covers to the left and right of the deck using a Phillips screwdriver. Wiggle the belt between the pulley and the guide to remove it. Slide the mower deck out from under the right side of the tractor. Loop the flat side of the belt over the two idler pulleys and feed the loose end of the belt forward towards the clutch pulley position. This pulley may have a small belt guide that looks like a narrow piece of metal sticking up beside the pulley. If necessary, refer to the photo you took after removing the mower deck from the lawn tractor. Pivot the bar towards the right, move the deck as required, and insert the other end into the hole in the right rear suspension bracket. Take note of the belt configuration and remove the old belt from all drive and idler pulleys. Install the belt around the three mandrel pulleys with the "V" of the belt facing inward toward the pulley groves. Belt diagram for craftsman 46 riding mower. Wrap the belt around the idler pulley in the same pattern as the original belt. Set the parking brake, place the clutch lever in the "Disengaged" position and lower the attachment lift lever to its lowest position.
When working on your lawn mower, always engage the brake to prevent rollaway, turn off the engine and remove the key to prevent injury. Secure it with the washer and retainer spring removed earlier. Replacing the deck belt on your Craftsman lawn mower is a relatively easy operation once the mower deck is removed from the lawn tractor. Remove the old belt from the mandrel pulley located on top of the mower deck near where the cut grass discharges. Ensure the belt is fully in the pulley groove and belt guide. Reinstall the front right suspension arm by sliding the slot on the end over the pin protruding from the chassis and replacing the washer and retainer spring removed earlier. Go to the left side and push the belt tension rod down and then secure it by hooking it into the slot in the lock bracket. How to Put a Belt on a Craftsman FS5500 Riding Lawn Mower.
Remove the retainer spring and washer by hand from the pin protruding through the hole in the front right suspension arm located on the upper front of the deck, and then disengage the link. Lift the deck by raising the attachment lift lever to highest position to complete the installation. Remove the belt from the second mandrel pulley by using your hands to slip it up between the large belt guide (a half-dome shape) and the pulley. Reach underneath and remove the belt from the electric clutch pulley situated in front of the deck. Avoid this problem by taking a picture of the old belt while it's still on the mower deck (after the mower deck has been removed from the lawn tractor). Install the new belt onto the mandrel pulley with the large belt guide by slipping it between the pulley and the guide. Attach the right rear lift link by lifting the corner of the deck and positioning the slot in the end of the link over the pin protruding from the rear lift arm bracket.