I recently changed the original Deck Drive Belt on my Craftsman 42" Deck Lawn Tractor and now when I run the tractor, the belt starts to smoke. Is the belt too tight? (it does have a little play in it) Will I damage my drive shaft from this?
Thanks for any assistance
Alan Rainville
[email protected]

Is your belt green? Is it an OEM belt? It may not be the right size and type. Check Parts & Accessories | Shop & Find Lawn & Garden, Appliance Parts at Sears Parts Direct | SearsPartsDirect.com from Sears for a replacement.

The Belt is Brown, it is an ARNOLD product that states the belt is for Sears/Craftsman, and replaces O.E. #144200, which is my belt number.

OK, the belt should not smoke and it should not be loose unless there is a clutch that engages the drive. Using Dayco's online cross ref, I get a Dayco Belt L488. You should be able to get that at a NAPA auto store. You can also look up the belt number by model of your mower at DAYCO.COM - MARKIV Automotive Aftermarket.

If it's a rubber belt and uses a friction idler that pushes against the belt, the beld better not be rubber, because it will grab. The green belts are somewhat made of fabric so that they will slip when the belt is not engaged.

I either suspect that it's the wrong belt or it's on wrong or is not tensioned properly.
Belt tension is either my idler or by adjusting one of the ends by means of a bolt in a slot.
e.g. move the engine by loosening the engine mounting bolts.

I once went and purchased an automotive belt from an auto store by trying to "match it up". It kept grabbing and smoking and the clutch would not work right on a rototiller.
Fortunately, I was able to get the small job done with the bad belt. I put the right belt on and have had no problems. So, I know where your coming from.

Still trying to diagnosis problem. Is the belt suppose to turn when the engine is running (blades not engaged)? Also, when I put the belt on, I remove the deck from the mower and applied the belt, I did not lossen any bolts. Do I need to re-adjust the tensioner pulley; I just moved it freely when I applied the new belt. The belt does seem loose; although not as loose as the old belt. Also, when I engage the blades (engine is off), the belt does get quite tight and there is a little force needed to engage the level for the blades.

Sorry to butt in but I too am having a similar problem with my MTD ride-on to arainfire, I have replaced the belt a V-belt 'green' that according to the guy who normally does my repairs and got the part for me is the correct one. It too is smoking and appears to be slipping.
According the this guy he says that my machine is hydrostatic and fully automatic (no gears) so has no adjustment. He is unable to help me at the moment due to lack of time so I am struggling. Keepitsimplestupid, you suggested moving the engine. Do you think this is possible with my machine?

The belt should be loose when not engaged. Make sure you have the belt routed the corect way and are not binding on any belt guides. Check the blades to make sure they are turning freely and not jammed.

The belt is loose when not engaged but slips and smokes when engaged, if I manually pull the belt the blades move freely. The only other thing I have noticed is that the belt is rubbing on the grass shute, you can see when it has become shiny. I have tried routing it a different way but the other way gives it more contact with the shute. I can't see any other way it can go.