How to Replace Mower Deck Belt on a John Deere X300 Series with 42 Accel Mower Deck

[@chadsmakolopoulos6551]

Only video I found that explains where, when and how the spring goes back on. Super job, man.

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

I’m glad it was helpful and thank you for the kind comment. Please give this video a like and share my channel to help it grow. It would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for watching.

[@michaelharp5667]

I had this exact problem, smelled hot rubber after adjusting deck. Caught that one in time. Just happened again, but before it could heat up, the belt snapped. I'm going to cut that bad boy off as you suggested. Your explanation of how to replace that belt was priceless. So much better than the JD diagrams! THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

I'm glad it was helpful, Thank you for sharing and the kind comment. Please give this video a like, subscribe and share my channel to help it grow. It would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for watching.

[@colinmunro3266]

That bolt you cut off is a huge issue!! Definite engineering problem that I’ve experienced as well

[@KJ-sd2ne]

I purchased my X350 a couple of months ago and my belt broke on yesterday; my mower is at 19.8 hours. The dealer advised belts are wearable items and are not covered under warranty. That includes extended warranties. I looked at your video and had the new belt on in half an hour. Thanks for sharing and saving my day and scratch.

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

I'm glad it was helpful and thank you for the kind comment. Please give this video a like and share my channel to help it grow. It would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for watching!

[@williamcorbitt7060]

Called Brad. Described problem. He emailed me this video immediately. His explanation is very succinct, yet thorough. The video angle was very helpful. I was able to replace the belt w/out a problem, which saved me the time, effort and $ to bring it in. Thanks, Brad!

[@roccosagaresesr1509]

Another great video learning a lot from you thank you.

[@john335i]

Thank you, you made the belt replacement a lot easier

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

I’m glad it was helpful!

[@watermanone7567]

Excellent video, I will look out for that issue. Many thanks.

[@robertmailhos8159]

That is a crazy belt replacement job on this mower

[@jackgreen412]

Changed mine this morning. AMEN to being difficult.

[@robertmailhos8159]

Yes it is not a great job on this mower ​@@jackgreen412

[@BoomerBends]

My x350 belt was ruined by this bolt when it was brand new. I took the brand new deck off to add the mulching kit, reinstalled deck and didn't notice the belt had routed itself right around the back of that bolt. After 15 of mowing I started noticing the odd scent of burning rubber. Oops!

[@teeemm9456]

Yea, I literally just did the same thing with X320, but I lost another belt previously because of that bolt. Mine broke right away this time, but I bought a spare because I knew of this issue from the first time I lost the belt. I forgot to double check the positioning before I started it up, but I'm guessing that bolt was the problem again, even though I'm not 100% sure.

[@roblund8557]

My belt just broke today on a used x350. I'm glad I saw this before replacing the belt tomorrow, if mine is the same I'll be right after it w/ cut off wheel. Thanks for the tip

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

I'm glad you found this! Thank you for watching and the kind comment.

[@leepatterson4435]

Thanks for the very helpful video. My son-in-law's x350 is having the same issue with snapping belts. This gives us a good place to start to understand why. I love that you take your time in the video and show all the details so that we can follow along. I just subscribed and will be watching for more content!

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

I'm glad it was helpful. Thank you for watching, the kind comment and supporting my channel. Please give this video a like and share my channel to help it grow. It would be greatly appreciated!

[@anthonywaters866]

What a perfect video. You saved me so much time figuring this out. Thank you so much!

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

I'm glad it was helpful. Please give this video a like and share my channel to help it grow. It would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for watching.

[@johnbelliveau4704]

Thanks again Brad. I kept searching and found a video you posted on remove & replace a JD S100. I saved it as I'm figuring a S100 & S120 have the same deck set up and found it very helpful (as usual). Be well.

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

What machine do you own? Just curious.

[@herkyhawk2003]

Brad i have a 2008 x304 and the bolts on my deck are just like this mower. Looks like I will be cutting a couple bolts this week. Thanks for the heads-up video!

[@johnbelliveau4704]

Hi Brad, Do I have to adjust /level my S120 deck when re installing it after cleaning the bottom or, can I just re install it as I've never taken it off. I bought it last year and have 11hrs. on it but this year has been very wet and I'm sure it needs a good cleaning. Thanks for the great videos.

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

I always check tire pressure and check the mower deck level every time I take a mower deck off and reinstall. Also, If your mower deck spindle have grease fittings? Grease them when the deck is off.

[@smallengineguru9035]

As always, you make great educational videos and I appreciate the work you do! Question: other than using a cut off wheel to shorter the bolt threads, has John Deere improved this bolt (to make it shorter) to where the customer can just order from John Deere the revised shorter bolt? Thank again!

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

They are aware of the issue but i haven’t seen a revision as of yet. I would hope they would stop making that mower deck with the over engineered pulley/belt set up. Only time will tell.

[@ciphercode2298]

I know on my cub cadet,ive even had little stucks as small as a pencil get sucked up under my pulleys and get pulled into the grooves in the v pulley and jam up a blade. It only takes a few seconds to tear up the belt,but in this case id say youre right about the adjuster. My cubs belt routing is simpler,but everything is of lower quality than whats on that deere.

[@breannaoliver6316]

Johnson's small engine. Excelente video!! Gracias!!

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

Thank you!

[@Olderthendirtnow]

Thank You, I'm not real good at mechanical "stuff" and you make it possible for me to do this "stuff".

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

I'm glad my videos are helpful. Thank you for watching them and the kind comment.

[@mrbrown6421]

What a horrible machine design. Congrates to you sir, for identifying the problem. Its important to realize when the PTO is engaged, the deck belt gets jerked all over the place until belt/pulley tensions stabilize. I suspect that is when the poor belt slips over the other side of the bolt you cut off. At this point, the owner thinks she smells burning rubber, but assumes its the neighbor's grill. I am SO hypersensitive to burning rubber when I am testing a belt installation, or running a mower, in general. A nice lady gave me her X300 (8 years old) and I have never been so happy with a gift! $130 in parts, and that machine is a stunning addition to my shop. I repair her other mowers and charge her very little (she is 83). Best to all, and thanks for the motivational videos. --North Central Florida.

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

Thank you for watching, sharing, supporting my channel and the kind comment.

[@JohnDoe-rx8xi]

Thanks a lot for doing this, and pointing out the bolt problem.

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

I'm glad it was helpful and thank you for the kind comment. Please give this video a like and share my channel to help it grow. It would be greatly appreciated!

[@StephenChapman-bd8hj]

Thank you so much. This was a very helpful video. Incredibly well done. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skill.

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

I’m glad it was helpful and thank you for the kind comment. Please give this video a like and share my channel to help it grow! It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for watching:)

[@laff000]

Thanks. This just happened to me for the first time after owning my machine for 4 years. Your video was very informative and I hope save me a lot of grief. If theres was a bulletin issued on this problem then how come I haven't heard anything from John deere about this. I now have to go buy a new belt on monday and it looks like they don't come cheap. What is deere doing about this and are they offering up any compensation for those of us who have had to deal with this defect?

[@FannyEdwards-p7r]

Hi Brad, at about 7:08 in the video when you are attaching the smaller idler pulley, you have the belt retaining arm facing left away from the larger idler. On my X350 42" deck the retaining arm is facing 180 degrees around to the right toward the larger idler pulley. Now I'm not sure which is the best way. On one of your other videos (How to remove a accel 42” deep mower deck John Deere X350 ), toward the end it can be seen that the belt retainer is facing right toward the larger pulley. Can you or someone please comment on which way is best?

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

I always put the guide back where it was when I started. You can try it the way yours is but you may have the belt rubbing after there is belt tension on it. You may want to try it both ways to see which works better after the deck and belt is reinstalled.

[@skiqsr]

My 2012 X300 had the similar issue. Opposite side belt rubbed against the nut. I had grind down the adjuster nut to clear the belt.

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

Thanks for sharing, I will be cutting both sides on any that come in!

[@paulsccna2964]

The belt on my new 2-month-old X354 popped off about a week ago and I spent almost 2 hours trying to figure out that diagram on the deck to get that belt back on. Total Pain in the butt. And the part that threw me, was that it does go Flat and then V-belt side. Drove me nuts, until I figured it out. Even after when installed, I thought it was wrong and fired it up and it worked perfect, but it just seems wrong when you look at it. And of course, nothing in the manual and again, that diagram on the deck, is beyond irritating.

[@dr.feelgood2358]

mine snapped most likely because I hit a chunk of rebar! my previous JD riding mower was much easier to change the belt...I did not have to remove the deck or any bolts to do it. why did they choose such a complicated design? thanks for explaining!

[@johnbelliveau4704]

Hi again Brad, I own a John Deere S120 that I bought new last year.

[@owenkennedy4734]

Can’t get the spring in to the metal and I don’t have the tool for it. Anything that will help me ?

[@ajp368]

Are the new 2023 x 350 that same crazy belt design?

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

Not sure, it will be a bit before I see one in my shop. I hope John Deere has changed the design. I’m pretty sure it has been a issue for a long time.

[@joeb7803]

Belt routing looks the same, mine is the first year they switched from yellow to green decks.

[@paulwagner5367]

i had the same problem the first idler pulley you took off the bracket it sits on was bent straighten it out and it will be fine thats what i did havent had a problem since.

[@BillLorenz-s9y]

excellent tutorial

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

Thank you! I’m glad it was helpful and thank you for the kind comment.

[@sonicd7106]

Thanks! It helped me out a ton.

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

I'm glad it was helpful and thank you for the kind comment. Please give this video a like to help the channel grow. It would be greatly appreciated!

[@SnakeHouseGlass]

Thank you I seen my deck adjustment bolt worn also? it for sure isn't right.

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

Have you broken any belts through time? I’m trying to find out more info on this.

[@SnakeHouseGlass]

I broke one belt on my X370. But ya that was definitely rubbing.

[@stinkitup]

So on my X350 the rear right roller i think you call it an idler... had the belt not sitting on it correctly and was running around the keeper. Somehow it was still cutting. But this meant the belt made contact with the hanger adjustable bolts. Once back in position in the pulley it clears the hanger bolt. I figure most dont realise its hung up as it still cuts. Frayed my belt and eas.good untill i hit a big grass tuft. So check the idler and belt.

[@gabeorvis6860]

Perfect instruction buddy. Made my day. Happy trails. Hugs Gabe

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

Thanks! I'm glad it was helpful and thank you for the kind comment. Please give this video a like and share my channel to help it grow. It would be greatly appreciated!

[@jackgreen412]

I've had my deck off twice for sharpening. Pay close attention when reinstalling belt on the engine pulley. I had it turned the right direction but it flipped before I completed installation. Didn't notice until I actuated the PTO. Immediately stalled the engine. Watch closely and double check. It got me twice. We'll duh.

[@williamcorbitt7060]

Very informative!

[@randyjerrett3385]

As always! Nice video

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

I'm glad it was helpful and thank you for the kind comment.

[@Thundering_Banshee]

Very Good Video. Thank You.

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

Thank you for watching and the kind comment! Please give this video a like, subscribe if you haven’t already and share my channel to help it grow. It would be greatly appreciated.

[@Olderthendirtnow]

John Deere should make their "design Engineers" change belts' in a service shop for a year.

[@Torsee]

Wow! That is the worst belt contraption ever Belts six feet in diameter 😂

[@JohnsonsSmallEngines]

I agree!

[@rogercutting8850]

LOOK CLOSE AT BELT. MANUFACTURED IN PIECES CUT ON 45 DEGREE. THE BRAND NEW JD BELTS ARE THE SAME.I CUT BOTTOM OF ADJUSTER SHAFT THREADS OFF. NO MORE PROBLEMS. ON THE X350 YOU CAN FIND MUCH BETTER BELTS ( 1/2 BY 96 V BELT... HAS TO BE V BELT )