I am changing the drive belt and having trouble getting the belt around the tension pulley. Is there a trick for putting on the belt?
It is a John Deere STX38 (Yellow Mower Deck)

Hi,
A yellow deck has two belts. There is a bit of a trick to it compared to other versions of the same deck. I add a picture to aid in this explanation. It is best done with deck removed. Flip handle around in an arc (the one on the right behind the chute) to take tension off primary belt. I grab the belt on that side and tug sideways to finish the de-tensioning. Unhook the belt from double stack and engine and the spring from the swinging arm. Unhook the other spring that hooked metal tab toward the front right of center. Best to remove the cover on the left.
Now, the unusual part is that bolt that the whole double stack pivots on (the one through the yellow bracket to the right of center in the picture) must be removed. The reason is the belt goes behind this pivot to the right spindle. With everything apart now is the time to check everything for freedom of movement (bearings in double stack and idler and pivot bushing, bolt, etc.) and clean or replace as necessary. Put the belt on so that it goes on both sides of the pivot and reinstall the pivot and bolt.
Next put the belt on both spindles and idler and lightly tension by pulling spring with hand to hold in all four places (spindles, idler and bottom of double stack) and check to make sure belt only touches these four things. If this is the case, a short piece of rope doubled works as a puller on the hook of the spring to extend it to the hooked metal tab and tension the belt.
The deck can now be remounted. Now the primary belt can be put on the top of the double stack and the clutch and the arm at the rear pulled to tension enough to keep it located. Hook the spring in the hole on the arm and then to the arm near the chute. Rotate that arm to tension belt and spring (and to latch.)
You are done!
Peace,
Clarke

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mark357

I am changing the drive belt and having trouble getting the belt around the tension pulley. Is there a trick for putting on the belt?
It is a John Deere STX38 (Yellow Mower Deck)

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Thanks for the help But your answer was for the wrong belt. I need to put on the belt above the deck (belt that gos around the transmission pulley and then to the front of the tractor) THANKS ( I am also changing the deck belt so your first answer will help)

Hi,
Most of thost are 5-speed, but a few are hydros; and I know them, too. Have pictures as well. Notably, the hydros have fewer belt guides as belt is always under tension.
Peace,
Clarke

The only trick I know is to tie the clutch pedal down via a clamp, rope or something similar. This will give you the most clearance while you are trying to put the belt on. Put the belt on the front and rear pulley then put it on the two smaller pulleys.