Installing 38" deck and belt Craftsman, Removal iN reverse.

This is a how to on installing a 38" deck on a Craftsman Tractor. Removal is in reverse. Also how to install the belt.

[@ballofcrust7706]

Thanks helped me replace belt on our mower for the first time

[@edbartlett6348]

Thanks for the info ...I changed a spindle on this model the spindle was broken off and I never saw the belt in its original placement as soon I got into the video a bit I was able to put it on... it will cut ✂

[@verinb9]

"By adjusting DEEZ NUTZ!" I LAUGHED SO HARD! Thanks for the video.

[@dont-want-no-wrench]

good and useful info, despite all the shots of your elbow and coffee cup- lol

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

Thank you, that video was taken ahwile ago, so I've gotten better since than, the video took longer than it should have because the deck got hung up on the hanger, but I guess its good it was filmed, because that can happen and if it does, the deck will not be level.

[@200mmonster4]

This video helped me alot ty

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

200m monster Glad to hear it.

[@cvallies]

Thanks for making this video.Any idea on where to purchase the heavy duty idler spring for deck engagement on my model.They are obsolete?

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

I'm glad it helped someone. I might have one actually is it on the deck itself? Because I've had a few of those decks I work on this stuff now. I will check, if you can when you get a chance send me the model number so I can look up your schematic. Do you know how big the spring was approximately length and width. I might have one on a deck already to compare. Or I'll just take it off that deck, I don't know I'll check.

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

Or is it up under the tractor frame? Does it hook to the lever on the dash or the deck. I gotta look at mine. I am probably going over there today. I'll look at mine. There are differences between the 1990 deck and the '91 and up deck. I take it yours is like the one in the video "91 and up correct. You know yours year? Or if deck is same as this one its fine, already know its '91 and up.

[@greenmarine5]

I just go to the local lawn and garden shop and buy a 1/2 X 88 generic belt. I adjust the tension for that 1/2 inch and it works perfect. BTW I cut 2 acres with my 1987 38" craftsman. I live in Upstate NY the grass is Super thick up here.

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

Their much better built machines, all the new ones fall apart after 10 years. Where is the tension adjustment? On the bar that swings up at 3:45? The end of its threaded. They make no mention of being able to adjust that in any of the sears literature, but it clearly is and appears you can adjust it for up to an inch difference. They don't tell you that on purpose, because they want you to buy their belt so they make the money off it. The belt I was referring to that I purchased was far too long. The package said fits all 38" sears decks. Yea maybe all 38' MTD made sears decks, but not the AYP made ones, which are far more common and completely different. I'm glad you mentioned it, that can help people save a lot of money, buy a cheaper generic belt like you did, 1/4 shorter and just adjust the tension by turning the piece up or down the threads to where you need it for good tension on the belt. Its only a 1/4 difference not 1/2 so you can usually get away with it, especially if you can adjust the tension the way you mentioned.

[@lucasmartinez8047]

Blades won’t disengage. Anyone know what the problem may be?

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

Did you just buy the machine? If you did the belt's the wrong size it's too tight. You need to order the correct length belt. It has to be slack when you disengage it and tightens when you engage, your belt has no slack, it's staying too tight when your disengaging. Also make sure the pulley on the deck with the swing arm is free, but honestly it sounds like a typical wrong belt, too tight.

[@Sooperdooper74]

Cool info. I didn't see the idler pulley return spring? Doesn't this model have one?

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

No spring on this model with the 38" deck. The only spring, is on the idler drive pulley for the brake lever. This was a good model, a simple well made design.

[@brandyprescott6562]

I have a 46 inch cut on my Craftsman mower and I need to know how to replace the deck blade belt please

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

Brandy Prescott kzbin.info/www/bejne/nH7cfH-CYpmUeck

[@waltermassey1146]

What is the correct belt size. I put an 88 on it and it works pretty good while engaged, but when you disengage the blades the belt starts flapping around making alot of noise. Any help with the correct belt size would be clutch. Model number is 917271053 with 19hp.

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

Walter Massey 1/2 × 88, 1/4 for the machine in this video, is the right size. Make sure the belt isn't getting hung up on anything while disengaged, all the belt guides are in the proper positions and that all of the pulleys bearings are good, a pulley thats having a hard time turning can start causing that to happen. If you have a belt that is 88 instead of 88, 1/4 thats a very small difference, I doubt its the issue, but also make sure the belts not too short and catching on the drive pulley causing it to hang up. Make sure all the pulleys are smooth, no rust and not rough, that could cause that issue too. You can go on searspartsdirect.com Manuals enter your model it will give your your manual, the parts diagram will show your belts part number, you can look up what length the belt is once you have the part number if it doesnt already say your manual will be helpful for other things too, including the trouble shooting section.

[@flir67man84]

Awesome video, i have same mower but i have factory steel bracket instead of two bars. My blade spendals are 4 bolt not 3 bolt also...???and welded on like a push mower.. 1990 model

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

Thanks, yea like this machine here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnvTinudhp6Mj68 Earlier design, same basic principal to putting the deck on. I forget which style was easier to install, probably about the same effort, except on that one the rods wont get stuck or in the way trying to put the deck on., or maybe it was that one since you cant really move that bracket like you can the rods, I forget its been ahwile, but I recall them being very similar and otherwise the same deck. Folks can expect the mounts on the decks on the mid to late 80's and very early 90's models to be a little different, belt still goes on the same though, thanks for bringing that up. In general these are the easiest decks to put a belt on and install to the tractor as far as the Craftsman's go.

[@dylb0tt]

Hello there Mr Tecumseh! I wonder if you have this same artifact... My 90's mower has a 38" deck, the manual has a 38" deck... But the part number in the manual is 144200 for the belt, which is a belt for a 44" deck! But its 88 inches which seems right, is it the same with your 38" deck? Did they perhaps make this deck so the belt system was the exact same as the 44"?

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

If you mean the 42" deck, yes, they use the identical belt, the pulleys are in the exact same spots on both those decks, the blades under, are just two inches longer on the 42" vs the 38". For a 44" I can't say for sure, because I haven't had one like both the 38" and 42", but yes, again, most likely, because the 44" is also a 2 blade deck. Once you move into the 46' no I think it's different, definitely different for the 48 which uses 3 blades.

[@dylb0tt]

​@@Mr_Tecumseh Fantastic, thank you. This had me really confused because you had said the 38 wouldn't fit, and when I searched for my part number it said 44"... So it all kind of lined up why the 38" one wouldn't fit. Its just kind of confusing when the part number 144200 is sold most places as a 44" belt. I think the real important number is that the belt is about 88" long by 1/2". I have another question, as your deck looks identical to mine... How do you adjust the belt tension? Incidentally, my mower basically doesn't exist online, its a Craftsman 944.601130. I was never able to find an EXACT match for a manual. The closest I found was a 944.601131 which seems to be pretty much the same. They mention to adjust the deck tension in it, but never tell you how. Hopefully this information will help someone else with my problem.

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

@@dylb0tt Try using the first 3 digits 917 when you type in the model number instead of 944. To my knowledge, their is no model that starts with 944, all of these AYP made units start with the model 917. As far as belt tension adjustment, their isnt any, its set for the belt that goes on their. Stepping on the brake pedal moves a swing arm underneath to add and remove tension to the belt, but its not adjustable, that stuff is all fixed. The belt I was referring to that didn't fit, csme out of the store saying fits all 38" models, but it didn't. Maybe all the newer 38" inch models, but not mine. The part number and size belt I gave in the video is the correct belt for your unit. That video was a long while ago, so I've learned since than, that if you know the size of the belt, you can get it much cheaper, than going by the sears parts number and thru sears. I typically get most of my belts from v belt guys now online. They are by far the cheapest and the belts are of quality, just go by the size. If looking up your model using 917 doesn't work, just use the model from my machine, that one is still up on their. Everything, except the engine will be identical, so sll the actual tractor parts and diagrams will be identical. The made those same machine with 100 different models, some are identical, some have small differences, like a different size deck, different size rims and tires, different engine or transaxle, but otherwise at their core their basically all the same.

[@dylb0tt]

@@Mr_Tecumseh as always, super helpful. Don't hate me for it but I am Canadian and maybe that's why there is a different model prefix. From researching this I have found the 944s were made by the same folks as Husqvarna. I wish I could paste an image here of the model from behind the seat so you knew I wasn't that crazy hahaha

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

@@dylb0tt AYP is Husqvarna. Its just known as HOP now, (Husqvarna outdoor products), formerly AYP (American yard products) before that Roper and originally David Bradley, it was AYP for years up until recently with sears basically dead, that asset was sold off and the company changed its name, it was formerly a subsidy of sears, but AYP made/makes Husqvarna, Poulan and a couple other not as well known, wizard, etc, thats all the same company. Those are AYP machines, thats what they were called at the time. Maybe your getting a 944 because it went to Canada, they probably pulled all the records off the web when the company pulled out of canada, their still barely hangin on here, like I said just use one of the model numbers from my videos, their are 4 total on my channel, pretty sure I showed all the model tags, I've had rougly 2 dozen of these LT4000's over the years, their all basically the same. Oh yea deck belt, arm on dash is the tension and and release, which is attached to an arm that bring's the pulley back and fourth on the deck adding and releasing tension. No adjustment though, both drive and mower belts are fixed. A tension adjust would be nice, than you could use several size belts in a few inch range and they would all work, unfortunately no tractor I ever worked on had that ability, thats why the belt has to be exactly the size its called for. I sold the one in this video. I have a 95" now with a 12hp 465cc Briggs flathead like most of them came, more power. I'll never get rid of the one I have now, last time I will ever make that mistake, the Tecumseh was a one model only unit. The 38 and 42 deck are interchangeable between those machines, I have another one parked on the side of the garage with a 42" inch deck on it, it can seap on. I'll get around to messing with it and selling it eventually. Best machines sears ever sold, by far, tanks! Good luck with yours. Take care. If you haven't subscribed already, consider it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHfYdnyDZ7FmY5I

[@clg46cardsnmore]

I found this video and I have the exact mower. I put a new belt on and it’s not cutting right. Seems to only cut on higher setting. Would this be because my belt is to big?

[@x-calibearusallc]

Your deck needs leveling.

[@clg46cardsnmore]

@@x-calibearusallc I actually found out my belt was the wrong size…I installed the proper one and mows as it should now. Thanks for the reply

[@marymadalenem2351]

The bar your calling a chock bar how do I get it off. Just got same mover and need to change blades

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

Chick bar? Its been a couple years what time in the video?

[@marymadalenem2351]

@@Mr_Tecumseh oh hey I got it . Somebody put a nail in it instead of a pin. Thanks for answering.🤠

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

@@marymadalenem2351 Glad to hear you got it. Your welcome.

[@200mmonster4]

I have a 96 I'm having a hard time with

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

I just finished working on another 1990 12/38" 5 speed, just like the one in the video except it has a Briggs 12hp engine and a foote, Dana/Spicer Transmission.

[@s.deslauriers5861]

Thank you for this information. What is the model number of your tractor? The model number of my tractor (944.605021) gives no result but your deck seams to be the same than mine.

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

944? Thats a different manufacturer. Most likely Roper. 917 is AYP which is this machine, the most common still out their, 518 is murray 246 is MTD. It was a 917.254750 your lucky I had that memorized, because that tractor is long gone. Those AYP 38" decks were the same a very long time. The early ones had a big plate up front instead of arms, but that was about the only difference.

[@silviofontana5144]

would be excellent, but video is jumping all over the place, thanks but

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

But honestly past me showing how the belt is routed and showing where mouning points are, the rest from that point on is self explanatory and simple anyway. You shouldn't really need to see past that. The jumping around was to people's benefit too, because it shows how the deck could get hung up like mine did and most people wouldn't notice. Itv won't cut properly or level hung up. Your commenting on a video 5 years old. I've come a long way since than. But like I tell my critics. Don't like it, you try going out there and working and filming at the same time and see how easy it is for you. Than come back and let me hear how it went fot them.

[@silviofontana5144]

@@Mr_Tecumseh thanks for your kind words and inspiration

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

@@silviofontana5144 Anytime, that's what I'm here 4.

[@realpqleur]

What? SEARS lies!

[@Mr_Tecumseh]

Sears sucks now. Sears has been doing plenty of lying the last 10 years. The machine in the video came from a different time for Sears, the late 80's early 90's when they were still a trustworthy retailer and were a great place to go shopping. In any event you have to go by the part number. I went and got that belt when I was in the middle of mowing after the mower parts section had already closed. So I took the gamble and it didn't pay off. Just went back the next day and got the right one. They were attempting to make life easier for people who own and bought their new crap where I'm sure the 38 decks are the same, which I don't ever see anyway, inadvertently making life more difficult in the process. Not a belt for a machine built 26 years ago. A model that went away still in the 90's, they must not realize how many are still out their or their just stupid and it appears thats the case the way their running their store straight into the ground.

[@realpqleur]

@@Mr_Tecumseh I got a 1988 Craftsman with a 38" deck, I found the easiest place for belts is O'Reilly Auto parts or napa but O'Reilly has the better product, it's either a 93, a 94 or a 95 inch belt, depends on the engagement and pully sizes. Good video, folks appreciate your ability, explanation and honesty.