How to Replace the Ground Drive / Transaxle Belt on a Craftsman YT4500 Lawn Tractor

[@robertfrye9512]

We are long term missionaries in Romania and have a YT4500 craftsman, shipped it there several years ago. I really appreciate the video because my ground drive belt broke and now I know how to replace it. I saw you’re able body assistance shirt and thought I would let you know you are an encouragement to us:-)

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, Robert. Are you able to get belts and replacement parts easily enough in Romania? I have a couple other videos featuring the YT4500, including a charging system diagnosis, and a partial engine rebuild. The tractor had belonged to my neighbor, but he let me have when he "upgraded" to a zero-turn. Anyway, all the best to you with your tractor and your ministry.

[@jamesbowden4871]

I'm about to do this same repair on my Craftsman YT4000 (the only difference seems to be that mine uses a manual lever to engage the deck pulley), and I found your video very helpful. My worn and old groundbelt even slipped off the transmission pulley in exactly the same place that yours did. It doesn't look too hard, so even I should be able to replace the groundbelt myself and save some money. Update: It worked! Thanks. Using an impact driver to remove the enginepulley made the job very easy.

[@Buckwsr]

Excellent work, James! Glad you got the job done.

[@brittanyfrost-firestone5906]

Very detailed yet very simplified. Made it look very easy.

[@philliphall5198]

I’ve had a lot of customers bring the 8 ten belts and they work great Only time will tell how good they are 😂

[@timwoody7315]

Watched your video and had the exact same problem! Easy to follow process, success achieved! Thanks!

[@psucsi4145]

Very good video. My old belt had stretched apparently and jumped off the transaxle pulley and chewed up the transaxle fan. Replacing that a different set of issues but this really was helpful with getting an orientation as to how to thread the belt. When I looked at the manual and underside sticker I wasn't certain if I was looking down with x-ray vision or up from the garage floor. Standing the mower up like you did, brought great clarity. The only issue I had was feeding the belt over the steering plate. There was a metal rod that I slipped it under instead of over. Corrected that and then everything was up and running.

[@Buckwsr]

Glad you got the job done, and that my video was of some help. Thank you.

[@gregie9999hotair1]

Nice video, just what I was looking for. Mine is a 2006 and the drive still works but sluggish in reverse. Haven't had an opportunity to crawl under and also check all 3 pulleys. But it is louder going in reverse, no noise going forward.

[@rotwiler7674]

Replaced mine, wasnt too bad, but i did it without lifting it much, prob harder, but so far so good, mine was stretched.. Been going over everything on my briggs yt4500. For years i didnt use much and neglected it. Moved to house with 1.5 acres and now i have to have a riding mower. Pre mounted tires i bought for front and rear, found some really agressive ones for back on yellow john deer wheels, like them much better and fit was perfect. Now i dont spin in areas .

[@eliaswesley2183]

This helped so much, I was stuck trying to figure out how to get it off. Thank you sir!

[@Buckwsr]

ok, great. Glad you got it figured out!

[@stevehoffer3736]

Nice video. I have a YS4500 and your video was spot on

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, Steve.

[@johnniemills2644]

Very helpful good voice easy to understand and I really enjoy the roster 🐓 thank you

[@glendasweet]

How do both sides of the belt fit to the right of the steering column without touching?

[@donaldstepp4850]

Mine I had to remove the steering column is this normal?

[@freddean995]

The Rooster is helping, lol

[@Buckwsr]

Ha ha! Oh yeah!

[@Willthethrill478]

Just an FYI, on my Crfstman Professional I just undid the chrome guard bar for the electrical cable, loop the front 1st then looped the transaxle pulley last and fit didn’t need to pull off the front pulley assembly

[@Buckwsr]

Yes, good point. I think for me it's just easier to take down the PTO and have it out of my way. Thanks.

[@Willthethrill478]

@@Buckwsr yes, I ended up cutting the old bet so the PTO kept spinning, so I had to loop front 1st. Should’ve paid more attention to your vid, thanks for posting, was great help, much appreciated!!!

[@midwestguy3361]

I have a Craftsman DYS4500 I just recently had to replace the drive belt I put it on started to check it out it moved forward and reverse then for some reason it threw the new belt off so I restalled it now it goes forward fine but won't go backwards is it possible I need to get a new drive belt belt? It seems to be tight around the pulleys.

[@johnathanwillis5834]

Some of the belts online are 92 inch by 1/2 inch. Will those work? They say that they are replacement for 130969

[@pinkbunnyslippers5673]

Any videos for the variation belt?

[@johnvianello2619]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, John!

[@gordhowe3128]

My tractor has the belt going on both sides of the steering shaft. You have to pull 2 bolts off the bottom bushings, slide it up change belt. Maybe someone installed yours incorrectly before that why it jumped off back pulley. As it would be forced down on tailing side. Check to see if your is rubbing.

[@DannyRosolen]

Thank you, very informative, well done video

[@aaronbradshaw734]

Thanks for the detailed video, I will be changing the same belt on ours soon. This will be a huge help. Ours is a hydrostatic, does the transaxle have a way to change the fluid in it?

[@Buckwsr]

I don't know the fluid change procedure for this transaxle. Sorry about that. I never did it. I'm sure there is information about it online somewhere. Good luck, and thanks for watching the video.

[@ezequielmaldonado5547]

I have a craftsman t1800 ..I replaced all 3 belts on it...now the gas petal is hard to press down ...any suggestions...thank you and God bless .. Ezequiel

[@cwalt571]

Do you show how to test components to find short causing fuse to blow while running and how to accurately check ignition and where to set cheap multimeter.

[@1MEAN98_BIGJOE]

Bolt that holds the PTO on mine spins top where the fan is at , how would I loosen it ? I tried clamping the top bolt but it still won’t break loose

[@Buckwsr]

If you don't have an impact gun, you'll need to find a way to immobilize the crankshaft from spinning. At times I've found ways to wedge a screwdriver into the teeth of the flywheel. A bit risky, I guess, but sometimes you have to get creative!

[@rickeykeeton71]

Interesting video. May have to do the same with my LTS2000. Not sure about the way you have it propped up though! Kinda looks like something I MIGHT would do. LOL!

[@alen4940]

Hey, replacing my drive belt also, thanks for the video. I was wondering if you or anyone would know why I can push my yt4500 even if the transmission is engaged just as easily as if it wasn’t? It still drives just fine, but I’ve never been able to do that with any other mower.

[@davidcompton9528]

Im having problems with the PTO shaft spinning while I'm trying to take it off any suggestions on how to keep that from moving?

[@Buckwsr]

Do you mean that the engine spins when you try to break loose the crankshaft/PTO bolt? An impact wrench might get the job done, if you have one of those. Alternately, you can try to wedge a screwdriver somewhere into the flywheel teeth to immobilize the engine while you break loose that bolt. Might have to take off the engine cover to that. That's a bit unconventional, but it can be done. Good luck.

[@chuckpoz1968]

Thank you ! For Video this whole now I can do it too 👍🏻

[@SF-fm7ov]

Great Video. I wonder if the reason your belt came off and lodged is because there might be a belt retainer missing. I am not sure if yours had it at one time but many transmissions have a keeper that bolts behind the belt on the trans pulley. Yours may not, but if it comes off again, I would check diagrams for a missing keeper.

[@Buckwsr]

You could be right about that. I've seen that belt keeper on other machines. All I can say is that to this day the tractor is still running fine, with no belt problems. Thank you for the note.

[@daltondean562]

My 3 plastic idler pillows on the drive belt were worn down and had flat spots on them. Also, you can change the belt without removing the pit. Set the brake, Unplug the pto, remove the pto retainer arm. Work the belt off the front pulley, work the belt towards the back and remove it off the transaxle. Reinstall in reverse order.

[@thomashocker2792]

Did you check the flux capacitor.

[@Buckwsr]

I wanted to. But I was unable to achieve the needed 1.21 gigawatts of electricity....

[@jmiller102009]

Would this same process work for the Craftsman YS 4500? Also do I have to take the deck off in order to do it?

[@Buckwsr]

Probably very much the same process. Since the deck comes off easily, you might as well remove it. It will only be in your way otherwise.

[@jmiller102009]

@@Buckwsr how does the deck come off?

[@tubingful]

is it a 92 and one half inch length by one half inch thick belt? i cannot find one anywhere only 92 inch length

[@Buckwsr]

92 and a half would probably work. Look under the engine hood for a craftsman decal giving part numbers. I'm sure the part number for the ground drive belt would be listed. good luck.

[@quintincain4895]

Just brought a used one it worked. Until i got stuck them l cut it off and pushed it backwards. Now it wont start at all changed the solonide still nothing please help

[@rb30athorn]

Thank you great vid straight to the job.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, Ben!

[@allenletizia321]

I having trouble where tractor goes slow up smallest incline then picks up speed on level ground . You have idea what would cause that if ground belt or something else ? Tractor is Hydro trans . Thanks Frank.

[@Buckwsr]

Sorry, bro. I'm not sure what to suggest. Could be a worn or stretched belt, or could be sloppy linkages. Or even low on trans fluid.... Good luck.

[@allenletizia321]

Thank you on that info.

[@dzibdzib2287]

Good job

[@marvinbasinger2639]

Thank you very much, very helpful!!

[@richardkinney3932]

Did you drain the engine oil 1st?

[@Buckwsr]

There's no need to drain it...unless you're already planning to do an oil change....

[@kirkpaulson7907]

How do you replace the transmission fan on this tractor

[@Buckwsr]

This video may help you with that.....kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZ7IioeXmLl1hdU&lc=UgzPNEDnrF94BeyI_Ql4AaABAg

[@EatDirt1]

Nice work, thanks.

[@Smokey298]

Electric PTO?

[@RaymondBrugueras]

Thank. You ,,👍🏼

[@StonerDad420]

Thank you !! Great video !!

[@garyyanul8501]

Excellent job thank you

[@guitarguyjoefry]

Thank you! Godspeed!

[@lowpro87]

U know how to bypass the reverse kill switch while blades are on ? Gets alittle annoying wen you go in reverse n mower wants to turn off I know safety

[@brianreinhardt4050]

Many mowers have 4 position ignitions. Off, run w/lights, run and start. Start the mower and let the key return to its run position and then rotate the key one position counter clockwise...that should be the position you need for "mow reverse".

[@drewski1441]

Go behind your tractor panel and just disconnect the switch. My tractor has a plastic clip I just pulled it apart. Then wrapped tape around both ends to prevent dust from clogging the terminals. I have a grey color craftsman 42" deck. There are a lot of idiots on here that show videos of bridging the connections and all sorts of idiocies just disconnect it.

[@kevinlawson9628]

Why won't my Craftsman just like that one move I got a new drive belt for it

[@coleman3509]

When are you dropping the new hot merch??

[@Buckwsr]

I have no idea what you're asking....

[@ronhicks8193]

I thought the mechanical part of your video was good but propping up the lawn mower that way was very risky

[@frankmiranda2021]

Thank you. Great video.