How do you replace the deck belt on a john deere lt166 freedom 42 deck?

Answer 1

It depends on the Mower Deck you have. I have an LT166 with a Freedom 42" mulcher mower deck. To change the belt, I:

1) Lower the Mower Deck to the bottom position (on the lowest grass height)

2)Remove the front cotter pin and connector that locks the mower deck to the front of the tractor. The connector looks like a square loop with a tail. Slip the mower belt off the tractor (it should be loose and easy to do).

3)Remove the cotter pins that attach the lifter arms (on both sides) to the deck.

4)Remove the cotter pin that attach the blade brake to the tractor. Remove the blade brake shaft from the tractor (it should just slip off)

5) Raise the mower deck lever on the tractor -- the lifter arms should slide out from the mower deck.

6)Slide the mower deck out from under the tractor.

7) Remove the screws that hold the black plastic cover of the deck.

8) Find the spring tensioner on the side of the deck under the cover. Loosen the nut that keeps the spring tensioner tight, until the spring moves freely.

9) Loosen the nut on the FORWARD gear (the one the tensioner is connected to). That gear will then move so you can remove the belt.

10) Replace belt (Make sure the blades on the Freedom deck are aligned first!). Tighten spring tensioner. Tighten nut on forward belt gear.

11) Reverse steps 7,6,5,4,3,2,1

Answer 2

With the deck in place and all attachment points attached to tractor.

The silver galvanized rod on the left side of the mower deck pushes inward on the end closest to the front of mower deck.

It will release from the hole. Once released swing the rod back outward over the hole you just released it from all the way to the rear tire or where it stops.

Now take the new belt and lace it around the engine pulley and around the center pulley on the mower deck. It fits in the upper V-groove.

Now with belt in place swing silver galvanized rod forward back to the hole you removed it from originally.

This will tighten the belt and you should be ready to mow again.

As long as all other belts are okay and not off pulleys or are broken.

If the blades ever get jambed with a stick, branch, root, rock, etc. This will cause belts to break.

I like to start the new season with new blades and new belts if there are signs of wear. Chunks missing or cracks, etc on the belts.

The tractor drive belt is the hard one to change so keep an eye on it, and have it replaced before it breaks.

Good Luck

Rick

Answer 3

Such instances as these are best done with the help of a paid professional. If it is necessary to do it oneself, please refer to the manual for the equipment in question to get correct instructions on how to properly replace any malfunctioning equipment.

Answer 4

In order to replace the deck belt on a JOHN DEERe it166 freedom on 42 deck an instruction booklet that contains the specific parts needed must be used and followed carefully.