[stiverc]

I just had the "fun" of putting a new drive belt on a 1986 130John Deere lawn tractor. I purchased the belt from my local John Deere dealer. My problem is it will not release when the clutch is pushed down. The clutch is working. Is there any adjustment on the clutch linkage. Steve

[ballengerb1]

There is always an adjustment nut on a belt tensioner. However, I have no idea if you installed the belt correctly. Be sure that your belt goes around the tensioner pulley on the side that causes it to get taught when the clutch/brake is released.

[crigby]

Hi,
There is a pecularity about the series of machines that started with the 130 and included the 160, 170 and the 180 gear-driven tractors. The 165, 175 and 185 hydros had different tensioning systems and had their own traits.

The pecularity was with the idler next to and to the left of the clutch. It is in a slot and held on by an elevator bolt(a carrage bolt with a longer squared of shoulder.) The slot is roughly shaped like a "J" that has had the bottom curve stretched and straightened. Loosen the nut tightening it(from underneath) and sliding it to as close to the middle of the slot before retightening. This should solve your problem. I too was puzzled by this first time.
Peace,
Clarke