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Jim, Double check to make sure you have correct belt for the deck and are installing it in the correct configuration as per manual or drawing on deck. Very few lawn tractors have deck belt adjustment, most do not, most deck belts have a spring loaded tensioner to take up the slack.
This could be some of your problem, the tensioner/idler pulley sometimes seize up and must be lubed up till they move freely, or your belt could be loose. Look in your manual or try google searching your make, model #, deck belt adjustment. How to Change Riding Lawn Mower Deck Belt
MTD uses several different configurations. Electric PTO's are tensioned all the time by an idler pulley on a spring loaded bracket. Manual PTO's with an engagement lever have a movable bracket attached to the lever via a cable that will tension the belt when the lever is engaged. Another configuration is the deck engages when the deck is lowered with the deck height lever and disengaged when the deck is raised. In this case the belt is tensioned by a large spring from the rear deck support bracket to a mount on the transaxle and tension is released by a rod that pull the deck forward when it is raised.
do you need to know the belt configuration for this mower ive attached a user manual that shows the configuration and all adjustments on the deck and belt...
Actually this is a fairly easy looking one to replace. If you go to John Deere parts and do a search for your tractor, in the parts listing it gives a pretty clear picture of the routing and configuration of the belt as it should go on, you might want to print it out to have nearby while you are working on it. You will need to remove the mowing deck to get at it and possibly some large blocks to elevate the tractor to give yourself room to work.
Look closely at the old belt if it is still on the tractor to get an idea what is involved BEFORE you start, comparing it with the picture. You will need to loosen and move or remove the belt guards and do be careful of the nylon fan on top of your transaxle
Look under the "running boards" Sears(AYP) sometimes put them under there. If not, go to www3.sears.com, type in your 917.xxxxxx model number and the pictures will show you an exploded view of the belt configurations
Is it a triple blade mower deck? Is it the drive belt to the deck or the belt from the deck pulley to the triple blades?
You need to take the cover off that encloses the 3 pulleys on the deck.
Take note of the direction and routing.
You will find and spring loaded idler pulley on the slack side of the belt or the unloaded side of the belt.
Pry back the idler on it's pivot point and slip the belt off. Place new belt in same configuration as the old.
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