Replace the Transmission Drive Belt on your John Deere Lawn Tractor - LA135, L-series, & more

[@juliovargas3751]

Good job buck wizard nice teaching.

[@olben1095]

“Reaching around the back can usually get it in” applies to many of life’s challenges.

[@rodrogers6895]

One of the best videos I’ve seen on doing this job.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks so much!

[@williamburkhouse9865]

thank you sir for your help on the transmission belt keeper. Wasn't sure what that thing was and it isn't in the service manual.

[@ahmedbandukda3439]

Good job with description. Thanks

[@justrj1]

Thank you for this. I just replaced my belt today without a hitch! Thanks. Yeah, that thing in the back was more trouble than the whole job! Come to find out there is an opening for an allen wrench or something similar. Not sure how you could get an allen wrench in there, but it has fitting!

[@RanchoTexano]

Thank you so much! That was the biggest ball of suck and my belt had just slipped off, but this video helped me so much! Thank you thank you thank you

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, Gary.

[@jafo68]

Great video. Thanks for sharing the whole process and part #,s

[@marshallborder9089]

Good job , my JD is 13 years old LA 115 - only basic manintence so far - but only 133 hours on it right now. Thanks for the video

[@timothywiltshire3808]

Thanks, that was helpful. I was starting to drop the rear axel / transmission to change the drive belt on my D125, this pointed me in a better direction and pre warned me about the steering column.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks for watching the video, Timothy! Good luck with the project.

[@tonym6920]

Great job. I have a model of 135 which looks to be exactly like yours. I looked at the procedure some time ago and what stopped me what that belt guide on the transmission. They certainly don’t design these machines with maintenance in mind. Local shops want around $250 to do the work. Thanks for the comprehensive vid, 👍👍. Subscribed.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, Tony, and good luck with the project!

[@adriancoolen7935]

Nice video. My LA125 has about 450 hours on it. When it warms up the transaxle gets weak and it won’t do hills. The transmission fan looks to be intact. Could it be the belt slipping or likely a transmission issue? Never changed out the trans fluid. Second owner at least. Cheers.

[@peterholme2771]

Great. Got it done following your guidance. However .... warning ... getting the belt guide on the pulley by the drive unit right at rhe back of the machine is a bugger of a job !!!!

[@PeacefulKey]

This video is a big help! Thanks for posting it!!

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you so much. There are a lot of these tractors out there, so I figured it would be a valuable video. Thank you!

[@richyt6973]

The rear belt guide has an opeing on the top of the guide to be able to put a 6mm allen wrench socket on a ratchet to get it out. Much easier than trying to fight it with an open end wrench

[@Buckwsr]

Good tip. I don't recall seeing that. Thanks.

[@richyt6973]

@@Buckwsr this was on an la115 may be different on your tractor

[@SOR4X4]

Great video - thanks for it...any hints on replacing the cooling fan on the transmission?

[@94tweeter]

Did you every replace it? Probably have to drop the trans out of the machine?

[@baseball1441]

I replaced the belt on my E100 John Deer because under full throttle the old traction belt would start slapping the frame and make a horrible noise. I replaced with a new GX24154 and its still doing it. The pulleys are in good shape, the tensioner spring looks fine. I even added another spring to stiffen it up. And the belt is routed correctly. Not sure what to do...??

[@ChuckLashinsky]

I've got a problem with getting the steering gear off the steering shaft, no room for a wheel puller to grab, any other suggestions ! The video was helpful on everything but removing the steering gear. TY

[@Buckwsr]

You could try soaking it with penetrating oil overnight. Or heat it with a torch. A pneumatic air hammer might also loosen it.... Those are a few ideas. Good luck.

[@jameslomenzo1139]

My S100 John Deere hydrostatic belt broke with Just 4 hours, little power, some power, no power, then it was smoking underneath the front deck. John Deere needs to do something about this. I've have been hearing alot about that.

[@ClerkinMusic]

Yeah, don’t remove the Cam pulley. There’s a belt guide up where the belt touches the top pulley. Just take the guide off with the two bolts holding it on. Much easier.

[@codyswilley]

I have a John deere stx38 black deck manual transaxle. Drive belt part number is M74747. On my lawn equipment I ALWAYS go back with OEM parts. That way you know they will fit and its actually made to fit whatever specific tractor

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks. That's a good rule of thumb!

[@pastorsandracarter-thespok3868]

This video instructions was detailed. However, you failed to show us how to remove the blade and shield before starting the job. Secondly, a slang name was used in place of (?) bolt-belt guard, in the tans axle/fan area, what is it technically called?

[@Buckwsr]

Sandra, there are plenty of videos out there to demonstrate removal of the cutting deck. I was focusing on the drive belt replacement only. Also, the "bolt" is probably called a "belt keeper," but I'm not entirely sure. If you know where the bolt is, what it does, and how to access it, the technical name for it is not too terribly important.

[@jerryhodgdon4124]

Is the belt the same for gt275

[@williamantonio3042]

I have a la125 42 inch JD. Just replaced the mower belt, and seems to have a mower vibration. Any suggestions? I did adjust the belt tension, would that be the problem? Thanks

[@Buckwsr]

Do you mean the belt for the cutting deck? I did a video or two on fixing/rebuilding these decks. It might be of help to you, but sight unseen I can't really say what's going on with yours right now. Good luck. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5fIcqCvm82sZqc

[@robertsimmons1716]

You skipped over the part where you got that gear off. That’s where I’m stuck as it won’t budge. How’d you do it?

[@Buckwsr]

You mean the steering shaft gear? I think I got it off with an impact gun, but I can’t quite remember.

[@robertsimmons1716]

Yes that’s the gear. The nut was no problem for me just as it appeared to be no problem for you. The gear itself won’t budge off the shaft.

[@Buckwsr]

@@robertsimmons1716 Ok, gotcha. I don't recall it being stuck on the shaft, as you are describing. Maybe I just got lucky. Try soaking it with some penetrating oil. Maybe a small 2-jaw gear puller would get it off....?

[@cobrabob53]

Apreciate you taking the time to show us, however you did not show how to loosen the gear off the steering rod without damaging something. So thanks for effort but you ignored how to remove that gear.

[@johnnyboone2571]

Great!!!

[@kevinfurr3311]

My drive belt is in good shape but I think that it has stretched some such that I think that its slipping. Is there any mechanism to tighten the belt or do you just replace? It would be nice if that two set idler pulley setup had ajdustment bolt to allow it to be rotated a bit to tighten the belt. Does not appear to be the case. I have seen another video that talks about adjusting the idler arm, but there is no pictures and not sure if my la130 has one. My la130 looks just like what you videoed. My manual makes no reference to an idle arm or adjustment. So it seems like its tight and works or isnt and you replace?

[@Buckwsr]

A new belt is probably all you need. Sometimes they just get stretched, worn, and rounded on the edges so that they no longer grip like they should. I would bet a new belt will do wonders for you. Good luck.

[@22-Bronc]

I’m swapping my front pulley to a 8 inch one so I was wondering if anyone knew what belt I would need for it now

[@Buckwsr]

You can calculate that by determining the difference between half the circumference of the new pulley and half the circumference of the old pulley. I say "half the circumference" because the belt only travels on half of the pulley. The formula for circumference is diameter times pi (3.1415927). Or you could just get a belt that's a couple of inches longer, and figure out what works by trial and error.

[@22-Bronc]

@@Buckwsr ok thank you that was really helpful

[@jmason337]

How did you remove the steering shaft ?

[@Buckwsr]

I think I used an impact gun to remove the nut and gear off the end of the shaft, and then pulled up on the steering wheel to move it out of the way.

[@faithfulnavigatorraul8048]

I dont see the need to disassemble all is just two screws and that i'tu😮

[@Buckwsr]

Just two screws and that's it! And no need to look up any youtube video tutorials either! Piece of cake!