DIY John Deere Mower Belt Remove & Replace (how to)

Order a belt here: amzn.to/2qSoeDz
A detailed, step-by-step tutorial video showing you exactly how I changed my John Deere LA 105 Mower Blade Drive Belt. Takes about an hour for the novice person...maybe 30 minutes for a pro.
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[@deepsahoo5297]

Man, you're a life saver. I got my first riding lawn mower and unfortunately the belt snapped after 5 hours of use. I called warranty only to find out that it is not covered so I've been looking for help since then. Your video gave me hope that I can do it myself LOL. But it really means a lot that you took the time to make this video and possibly help millions.

[@cr8ivedestruction]

I used mine for about 5 hours too BRAND new on level grounds with no rocks and it busted. Pretty sure the belt had aged while sitting waiting to be sold.

[@warrenharvey4420]

I found by removing the two rear stabilizing bars and disconnecting the cable on the blade brake, (easy to do) then pulling the whole deck clear of the mower, working on deck is easier much easier - particularly when replacing the belt. One thing to remember is that there are no shortcuts to replacing a belt so making life easier by pulling the deck clear of the mower is the way to go!

[@txstate7312]

Agreed.

[@cr8ivedestruction]

I will keep that in mind, thanks!

[@rossman70]

Our blades stopped turning and the belt was really loose. Got a new one on Amazon and followed the video. I actually could not get the chute side guard out but got enough clearance to remove old one and put the new one on. Center nut took a few shots of PB Blaster to break it free. Back in business now. Thanks!

[@tabithajoy2536]

Thank you. I was able to change out the belt on my mower on my own yesterday. It was quite empowering!

[@christianbozwell4981]

Man this was so helpful, this is my first house and mower..... Thanks

[@jackreynolds9598]

I appreciate the video. First time doing this job so it was nice to see it done beforehand. Two things that were very helpful for me were having a 6' 2x4 to set the deck onto, which made it easy to slide the deck out and then back in. Also after sliding the deck out I snapped a picture of the top of the deck before I removed anything for reference to make it a little easier and quicker when I put on the new belt.

[@SaranPitchIn]

Double thumbs up for all your videos. This has saved me some money! Thank you very much!

[@chadhelmreich7098]

You don’t have to take those pullys off, if you engage the PTO lever the “clips” move out of the way. Then disengage the PTO when done putting belt in that area

[@ShadyTreeRepair]

Take idler pulley off with 5/8ths wrench belt comes right off and remove the black belt guards 10mm bolts 3 on one and two on the other

[@vinivinivichy4549]

Very helpful video! For the first time ever I was able to change that belt. Accessed everything by driving up on ramps and lowering the mowing deck. Yay!

[@Donna-ix5bq]

Thank you for videos has they have helped me understand how everything works on my ride on now. Cheers

[@only1mrshoneyc]

Thank you for this - I just replaced my drive belt :D

[@wordgardener1]

Was looking for a shortcut regarding that pulley piece that holds the belt on… now I can fix it. Mama’s can fix lawnmowers too.

[@johnadrian2085]

this is old video but you don't need to cut or drop anything. Just pull pulley guards off and with a little effort turn pulley and pull belt past guide bars.

[@GREEnT704]

Ty

[@SeekerFor1000]

You might get the old belt off if it is worn enough, however, if the brakes on the pulleys are where they should be, you do not get the new belt on.

[@marcelocarnevalle3226]

Hello Dandle - thanks a lot for your video. Really helped me to get the job done and saved me money and lot of time. Keep it the videos coming!!!

[@petey6189]

I just replaced this belt. No need to drop or unhook the deck. Remove the 2 black plastic pulley covers (10mm). Then loosen the nut (5/8) on that small tension pulley so that it can be raised enough to get the belt past that guide. The belt can now be removed/replaced. On my mower, said pulley would not budge even after removing the nut, despite me whacking it pretty good. I didn't have time to try penetrating lube. In a moment of desperation genius (or stupidity), I took my vice grips and put a death squeeze on the belt to make it narrower in just one spot so I could force it in between the pulley and the guide. I don't know if the squeeze will affect the integrity/longevity of the belt, but it's working so far.

[@johnrmc70]

My tension pulley isn’t budging! It spins fine, but it will not lift up.

[@rodneycorey2459]

The belt appears to be inside out on the pulleys.

[@GaryAnson]

it is inside out - the v points into the drive pulley, NOT the flat side. The way the pulley is installed will stretch out the pulley prematurely.

[@unclemikeb]

NOT trying to be sarcastic. Just watched a video by Chicanic. Belts wear on the inside edges, they don't actually stretch as we would think of it. The edges wear so the belt sits deeper in the pulleys and acts as if it has stretched. She put old and new on a test stretcher and they measured the same. But the width which is what actually runs the pulleys was narrower. If you buy a new belt smaller around than the old, it might be too tight.

[@erikowens7845]

So the pulley with 15mm bolt was the key thanks. Didn't find detaching deck with cotter pin necessary just lowered the deck all the way. Maybe my D130 is different

[@CammieMay]

Thanks a million! We're going to try this now. I appreciate your effort! :)

[@DANDLINC]

Good luck and thanks for watching! (don't forget to subscribe...that helps me out.). DANDLINC.

[@pnkflyd66]

DANDLINC Your belt is on backwards..

[@jumpinjohnnyruss]

Great video. Thanks.

[@verinb9]

I have a ?. I have a JDD110 mower. I recently replaced the belt but when I turn on the mower(blades not engaged) the blades will spin. The blades will come on when I turn them on but when I turn them off/when the mower is idling they still spin slightly. I'm trying to find out what I did wrong. Thanks again for the helpful video. 👍🏾🍻

[@rossrules1000]

Figure it out yet? Having the same problem right now!

[@verinb9]

@@rossrules1000 Hi, try checking the deck brakes for your blades. They probably need to be replaced. U can find some on eBay for about $14 a piece. Love from Ft Bragg. 💪🏾

[@zorbzzsterio6406]

Thanks mate big help

[@Brian11915]

I think this is the hard way to do it. It takes less than 5 MINUTES to drop the deck on a JD 42" mower---and everything is totally accessible from there. Once the deck is off you can use the opportunity to inspect everything and maybe sharpen the blades. My secret to deck removal is to have two 5' lengths of 2" PVC pipe under the deck (perpendicular to the tractor) and when the deck lowers down on them you can easily slide it out from underneath. Otherwise you'll be dragging the deck across the grass or pavement and it will fight you every inch of the way.

[@johnsnyder6646]

I think your way is the hard way. I just replaced mine, just as shown in this video, did not remove the entire deck. Took about 30 minutes. In fact, removing the belt guards on each side took the longest time, and that was just 7 screws on my L120. Happy to say, the original belt lasted 16 years!

[@stower82]

I have the same mower without the plastic belt guards and will pop a brand new belt off like it's nothing. All pulleys are good everything is proper the slack on the belt is tremendous though but will engage to start the blades as soon as you remove the PTO too quickly it'll sling the belt right off. And yes it's the proper belt from John Deere and also have tried Amazon belts measuring the same exact size no matter what keeps flying off. Tension on the PTO engagement has been tightened to its full extent also seems like it needs some type of guide to keep it from sliding off of the pulleys

[@brandon-tz6bu]

I read somewhere that those plastic guards help keep the belt from falling off. My belt also appears super loose but the blades seem to engage right away when I move the lever to engage them.

[@nomanjones4803]

If you think that is confusing try the 48" deck.

[@KDO-wi7qt]

Have you ever replaced the transmission belt?

[@SteveGarberick]

How long did this new belt last since you have it inside out?

[@elivenegas3406]

No se inglés, pero basta con ver el video me dí a la tarea de la falla y seguimiento.. gracias

[@kemowens5519]

Looks like the belt was inside out (the "V" part of belt needs to go into the V pulley).

[@DANDLINC]

Yep. You have a keen eye.

[@shleprockshleprock]

Lol...real simple. Ends up taking days and lots of problems. I'm taking mine to a professional.

[@JetSkiBuyFixPlaySellChannel]

If your belt is still in good shape you can take the slack out by loosening the two 10mm bolts and pulling the bracket the cable goes through towards you.

[@tommyofrichmond]

Mjs S I

[@ScottMarkle]

The new E series have lost those two bolts...the bracket is now welded to the deck....bad design

[@earlfox1289]

Do you have to take clutch loose to change drive belt that comes from engine

[@noecortez9272]

the belt looks like it is on inside out, is it?/?

[@jimbishop8667]

I'm pretty sure at 6:39 or so the belt is on inside out... the v part should be in on the 3 big pullies and the flat in on the tensioner and other small pully.

[@tracystephens3654]

I Need a belt for my mower How Do I get the Right one

[@mikesecondo2254]

Also grease the mandrel fittings....I do mine every 4 cuts.....also you may want to remove the bearings to be sure the inner shields have been removed!!!

[@gherrera6665]

Good video, I'm changing my belt for the first time and it's way bigger would you know why by any chance

[@brianhoffman3084]

Thank you for the great video! I was able to change my belt with very few issues.

[@larrymorgan8730]

The belt groove should be on the inside of the 3 main pulley's.

[@tonedelpapa5915]

He put the belt on inside out. The "V" of the belt has to go into the V of the pulley and the flat side of the belt has to go on the flat pulley.

[@BillColicchio]

Wouldn't it have been a lot easier just to drop the deck? That way you can clean the deck as well?

[@MyMW3Channel]

Putting a belt on is enraging because the guide wheel bolt just won't budge.

[@DANDLINC]

It's a bear!

[@Jwcounseling]

Does that moving Lilly just come off? I took the bolt off and I still can’t lift it up

[@cmsred923x]

Gear that you removed in your video won't come off of our john Deere for some reason... any suggestions?

[@DANDLINC]

Are you referring to the pulley removed at 4 minutes 30 seconds?

[@wylieprescott4711]

Need to spray with WD40 or some grade penetrating oil at the top of threaded bolt that pulley sits on. Wait a few minutes & take a couple of flat head screw drivers to gently work loose. Pulley will easily pull off after the initial bond is broken.

[@richardbowers3647]

That pulley wheel is hard seated on my mower! Will try penetrating oil as suggested! What a bear it is! Difficult to reach!

[@andrewowens-russell6796]

I can't tell which side faces the pulley surface? the rounded side or the flat side

[@BillColicchio]

You need to take off any pulleys. There should be two ''tensioned pulleys'' that can be moved.

[@JuanGutierrez-yz5vp]

He replaced the belt inside out

[@JF-BMW-M8-COMP]

Lol, yep. KZbin should take this video down.

[@hallettfarm9513]

Good to know.

[@hyperhylian6913]

My tensioner pulley won’t come off even with the bolt removed

[@marcelocarnevalle3226]

Try pulling straight

[@johnrmc70]

Mine either!

[@edgowan6471]

How do I get the pulley off to release the belt from the belt guard. Nothing seems to work. Not even WD-40.

[@audrey7007]

have you had any luck? im having the same issue right now

[@edgowan6471]

@@audrey7007 no

[@GlynRobinson]

did the belt flip????

[@martyschirmacher8174]

Yup, I noticed the belt was put on vee/flat wrong way. That will destroy the belt real fast!

[@MrLrry1266]

Besides the belt maybe being on backwards, how far did you get mowing the lawn before you noticed you did not attach the front level/height bar back onto the deck bracket? Also, when doing the belt change it is a good time to see that the blade break pads are both working when you release the PTO lever for blade engagement. That's what the PTO lever cable goes to also is the blade break mechanism bar.

[@vinceprice6437]

yagabagadaga Y Why would you do anything to the deck to put a belt on?

[@harmers111]

yagabagadaga Y 🤣🤣 exactly.

[@zivagoldman2001]

I'm willing to bet he forgot to put the front deck bar back on, thinking he was finished. I'm sure he found out when he went to raise his deck!

[@iturrizagaivan6290]

Pretty helpful thank you

[@tcda3640]

thanks difficult from a non pro.

[@deborahmontesu1044]

I need to know how to change the belt on a john deere la150 lawnmower

[@blairthandi7058]

My belt lasted for 16 years, then it just burnt, and broke in half. We are going to John Deere to get one, then we can get in our final mow, o two. Ours is an L-110 Automatic.

[@linoramirezsr.9923]

Best to take deck check everything even grease it as well ! However i changed belt but blades turn before engaging pto! Any ideas?

[@ammkad]

Lino Ramirez Sr. Mine Did to?

[@GaryAnson]

@@ammkad tension to tight

[@michaelmacek9433]

I'm not trying to be a trouble maker here but it would appear you are missing that funny looking rod that connects the deck to the tractor frame at the front.I'm pretty sure you'll find yourself wishing you'd re-installed it once you started mowing.

[@ramrodnj]

The pulley won’t come off when I take the screw off what do I do it’s a 2017 or so not sure if that helps but they make us so hard just to get a pulley off for a belt change is it just me

[@DANDLINC]

Very hard....wear very good gloves to protect your hands from getting beat up.

[@ramrodnj]

DANDLINC yea it was a bitch.

[@Jaxson211]

Can anyone provide any insight on getting pulley off? I’ve been working on it for an hour and all I’ve done is bend the bar the pulley is attached to. I’m about to set this thing on fire.

[@JanacMeena]

5:33 new belt installation

[@roberthansley1903]

When you put your new belt on was your adjustment bracket all the way forward or back?

[@sean9960]

I got my John Deere back 2 weeks ago for belt slipping off, they replaced the belt, didn't even get 3 hours out of it, belt keeps coming off, anyone want to buy a cheap John Deere with belt issues?

[@craigg.5861]

I’m having this same issue with my new JD S120. The JD OEM belt length is 103.65, but as there does not appear to be an easy tension adjustment and others have noticed this as well, using a 101 inch belt from “sunbelt” seems to resolve this issue. I just bought this belt today from Lowe’s and will be installing it this afternoon. This may solve your problem if you didn’t already sell your lawn tractor.

[@eddiebegley5189]

Show me a diagram for a d130 deck belt

[@ginatkins372]

But I can't get the third bolt off. :( I will try again today.

[@josephstevens701]

Great video! What size are the bolts that hold the shields on? I can't find them anywhere.

[@mookiekins75]

Joseph Stevens 10mm

[@josephstevens701]

Morgan Kinslow thank you bud!!

[@mookiekins75]

Joseph Stevens no problem! I had to learn it on KZbin myself!

[@3374arbor]

I did this and the blades won’t disengage. Does anyone know why?

[@morgang592]

Any luck with this?

[@michaelf8976]

It looked like your belt was installed incorrect. The flat part of the belt should always be riding on the flat pulleys and the v part of the belt should be in the v shape groove pulleys. Maybe I'm wrong however yours was the opposite when installed. It would be good to inform people of this, so they don't ruin a belt and have to purchase a new one. Maybe you can add text to your video so people who are new will understand te correct way to install the belt.

[@thomaswhitmore5044]

The belt install is not correct. Not to be critical BUT there are two styles of pullies, flat faced and v notched. Its important for people to know, The flat faced pullies receive the flat side of the belt on them and the v notch pullies get the wedge shaped side of the belt. on them. quickest way to trash a belt is an incorrect positioning of the belt on the pullies.

[@TonyMontana-tm7ul]

This is the hard way, Easier is to drop and remove deck...

[@jeromehouston4270]

my sabre john deere riding mower steering wheel turns but the wheel don't turn ,

[@nomanjones4803]

Never seen a steering belt before, where is that located?

[@tubesound746]

Belt is on backwards

[@mikebarry7038]

How about drive belt

[@katherinepeterson1234]

is there some sorta reason the "nut" is called a bolt? guess we all have our little quirks...

[@stickyprickle]

Nuts have threaded holes, bolts have threaded shafts, early on he refers to the bolts as bolts, where in the video do you think he made the error?

[@stickyprickle]

Ok, I see 4:40 he mixes up bolts and nuts.

[@JerryBronson]

Katherine Peterson He’s human... relax. It’s ok to misconstrued things sometimes Katherine.

[@jayhogan7897]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but I didn't have to take my deck off to put my belt on

[@maryfoley9184]

How to change deckbelt on a sabre by johndeer 20hp 48” cut

[@cash9406]

😂😂😂

[@jerryharris2408]

Hay when out mowing if run up on Waldo they say he hideing in hay stack bc looking for his needle to mend his heart bc chance is he in the sherwood Forrest hanging out with the leprechaun but not the n rainbow setting but he could be kicking with the play bunny the Easter bunny helping in makeing eggs so that 2023 Easter with be huge

[@magicone9327]

Sure looks like the belt needs to roll over so the flat turns on the the flat faced pulleys and the groove runs in the v grooved pulleys

[@jackofall125]

you have that belt on backwards the V is the wrong way

[@BobbyW00]

Was watching this as we just did one last weekend on a D130 for a Senior friend but took the deck off to also change a spindle. We saw this belt flipped wrong. But it looks like when it was engaged it rolled over. Sometimes your lucky. ;) - The v side goes inside the v pulleys and the the flat side goes against the flat side pulleys.

[@DANDLINC]

Good Point..I failed to mention that it will 'right itself' under power. You've a keen observation talent. I'll make a note on the video. Thx for watching.

[@EvanRobinson85]

jackofall125 I was about to comment about that as well.

[@hectormoreno9637]

L

[@MajorCulturalDivide]

I'm not sure what V you are talking about.

[@Gib1]

Where do I find the belt diagram?

[@swfdrone7854]

Tony Gilbert ever find one?

[@jdelliott2921]

partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/sidebyside/equipment/61098/referrer/navigation/pgId/125609807

[@bfigzz1]

I have an issue with my L100 the belt is on right but the blades won’t stop spinning even when there not supposed to be engaged is it the pto cable or what can I do To Help any info would be appreciated thanks

[@tomglisson9757]

i have lost some power and HP going up hills with my LA105. I hear changing the belt might bring back some horsepower if its old or loose. is this true?

[@magicone9327]

Cutting the old belt would be an exercise in futility as you still have to remove the bar to install the new one.

[@frankbicsak8929]

maybe the belts would last longer, if these guys would clean the dirt around the pulleys

[@x32bred]

Not fair Mt l105 has bars by pullys😩

[@23-brou]

Напишите кто нибудь какой ремень нужен для Джон дир LA-145 !!!!

[@dontjustbeanotherbrickinthewal]

What size is that pully bolt you took of, thanks

[@joshk9462]

Belts inside out

[@rophoo1]

Nice video but it’s flipped over

[@janetrandle6882]

you should remove the spark plug to be safe in doing anything with the mower blades.

[@doncrap9627]

Most of the tractors John Deere sold at Lowes or Home Depot did not run long enough to wear out.a belt. Maybe the mice chewed your belt up.

[@SmashinAdams]

How in the hot ham sandwich did you pull that pulley off with your hand?! Mine feels welded on!

[@mbetot]

I'm having the same issue, did you get yours off.

[@spencerhowell7315]

It appears they are now sealed on because of the bearing. Mine didn't budge as well.

[@SmashinAdams]

Would've used a hammer but it wouldn't fit. Used a big flat-head screwdriver.

[@jackreynolds9598]

Okay now another problem. I only took the deck off to untangle a wire that got jammed up in the deck blade. Then after removing it, sharpening blades and reattached the deck my belt is too long. After adjusting the tension spring failed I bought a new belt. I have the same problem...and I am fairly certain that my next play will involve pushing it over a m*******ing cliff and hiring undocumented workers to mow my lawn! I’m losing it...I have truly lost my damn mind over this! I know you’re thinking that I am a quick tempered idiot who overreacted and you would perhaps be correct but if anyone knows what the hell happened to make a 42” belt 5” too long for a 42” deck please help me and I will gladly put your children and grandchildren through college.

[@TheArchBodom]

My New Mower (Toy)

[@dlcamp2001]

How to improve this video: Tell the viewer what size wrench, etc. to use. That will save us a lot of trial and error.

[@ebone8973]

Sound An Alarm he said it was a 15mm

[@lesnash6953]

If you need to be told that, you should hire someone to do the job for you.

[@dlcamp2001]

@@ebone8973 Thanks, Ethan. I missed that.

[@samuelcover4357]

I looked through the comments😂

[@janetrandle6882]

It is easier to just remove the deck.

[@geoffstewart7374]

It takes 2 minutes to take the mower deck off, to wrestle with the belt and service the deck while it is on the unit...no comment this guy knows zero.

[@L82X]

Why wouldn't you remove the deck to make it easier to put the belt on? Seems like you added a lot of work for yourself. Seems silly.

[@hansanderson6607]

Don't buy your belts at a JD dealer anymore. Way too expensive, and don't last as long. I just replaced my JD snowthrower belt, bought it at "vbelts4less.com". The heavy duty JD belt would have cost me about $85 with gas and tax. I bought a heavy duty KEVLAR belt from vbeltsforless for $35, including shipping. It fits and works great.

[@brucejandrey750]

This site was about $3.00 more when shipping was added, than the local John Deere place. Have an L120.

[@hansanderson6607]

Probably depends on the make, year and model, but I find it hard to believe that you could buy a belt at a JD dealer CHEAPER than on the internet. Maybe you didn't look hard enough. JD dealers ALWAYS charge Premium prices for EVERYTHING. That's not to say that sometimes you should always avoid JD dealers. Sometimes you have no choice. Sometimes a JD dealer has a very superior product. One example: their "Carpet cleaner" really, REALLY works. It will clean up stains on car carpet like nothing I've ever seen, even oils, brake fluids, Anything, with a minimum of effort.

[@mtz3843]

thats alot of work to change out a belt, wow, shouldnt be that way, they need to redesign that

[@SuperMarkbishop]

john deere stuff is really not designed to be worked on by ordinary people.

[@tomhardware2254]

I think it’s easier to remove the whole deck but that’s me. Since I grease up the spindles and such while I’m at it.

[@willdwyer6782]

@fred kramer wedging belts through tight spaces is how you damage belts.

[@jonathanhains814]

Rotating the tensioner pulley even a little bit let the belt slide easily in.

[@warrenharvey4420]

@@tomhardware2254 Greasing the spindles are a waste of time if the spindle bearings are sealed - which is the type generally employed in the original build. Adding grease does nothing but fill the void surrounding the shaft in the spindle housing. Adding grease is pointless because none of the grease gets into the sealed bearing - a clever little ploy by John Deere to increase the opportunity of charging for expensive repair work when the sealed bearings fail.