Installing new belt for blades on John Deere D160

[Snagglefoot]

The long drive belt on the John Deere D160 we use to cut the grass on our community ball diamond broke. I believe its the original and mower had 400 hours on it. I'll be picking up a new belt today and tomorrow morning our local Indie mechanic is donating his time to help get the new belt on. During that process we'll also be examining the pulley's etc to see if we need to be replacing any other parts.

1. Can anyone tell me what You Tube video might be good so I can get familiar with the process.

2. Are there any "no brainer" things that should be looked at considering we are at 400 hours. Are there certain pulleys that should be replaced?

Thanks.

 

[fantastic]

Like you mentioned just look at springs & if any of the bearing pulleys are a bit noisy or hard to spin w/o making some metal noises it's time to replace them. Some allow you to replace the bearing while others are pressed in during manufacturing that doesn't allow you to just replace the bearings. However, I've found that just buying a new pulley w/bearing in it can be a quicker way of replacement vs replacing the bearing alone but you weigh that out. Some restorations I like to keep original pulleys though. At 400 hours it sounds like an excellent time to replace some things. The spring that tightens the belt is one thing I like to replace to make sure it's getting proper tension when needed. Springs do wear out a bit over time. I believe you're not talking about the deck since that all can be done at any time with ease of removal. I've recently did the "Poor mans Power steering" on the front of my Craftsman but I've only used it once so can't really comment on that yet but that is a separate subject than your post here. Use a torque wrench & grab torque specs for your lawn tractor. It's all pretty straightforward but since I really like to do a job well done it usually takes me longer at a job than a lot of folks but sounds like you can plan to be down for a few days at least. Go on John Deere site then put in your model number to look at the pulleys & tension spring you'll run into to familiarize yourself with it. Order up parts first or wait until removal/inspection is entirely up to you.

 

[sohccammer427]

Just go to YouTube and search for: john deere D60 belt replacement. You'll get results for drive and deck belt replacement.

Not sure how "commercial" the D160 is, but 400 hours is not a lot of hours. For perspective, on the Grasshopper unit have, deck spindles get greased every 300 hrs or twice a year, oil change every 200 hrs, fuel filter 400 hrs. But certainly it's ok to to do the maint more often like at the beginning of the mowing season.

Check all the belts for cracks, not just the deck or drive. Pulleys should be fine. I believe the ones on mine are cast iron. I don't think they will every wear out.

 

[cptbarkey]

Looks relatively straightforward. My X354 has a crazy pivot system which took myself, my cousin, and his father in law to install. Given I could have done it myself, but it was entertaining how much we struggled to figure it out by ourselves.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Home Depot had the belt.

 

[Chevyc10]

Genuine JD belts are best, less stretch and longer life.

 

[mk378]

"Drive belt" might mean it is the belt that goes from the engine to the transmission. There are two belts on almost every riding mower.

 

[SHOZ]

I follow this guy. He is really good at showing you how easy it is.

https://www.youtube.com/@RaleysSmallEngines

 

[userfriendly]

You can make your belts last longer by slowing the engine to an idle before engaging the mower.
A bad habit is engaging the mower at full throttle. You can hear the belts slip when you do that.

 

[jeepman3071]

Genuine JD belts are best, less stretch and longer life.

I always buy genuine belts when I can, especially for deck belts. A lot of OEM deck belts are strange lengths, so aftermarket ones are either too long or don't fit right. Steer clear of the generic belts from auto parts stores or Tractor Supply. They used to be good in a pinch if a customer needed one right away, but I've had them last only one lap around the yard before shredding where the OEM belt is still going 5 years later. Mower deck belts are a part where it's worth buying an extra to hang on the wall in the shed.

 

[SHOZ]

The OE JD belts on the old F510 use to be some weird width (19/32 I think) so I just used aftermarket 1/2 wide belts, deck belt about every year. When I ordered some new belts for it from the dealer this winter they are now the standard 1/2" width.

 

[Snagglefoot]

"Drive belt" might mean it is the belt that goes from the engine to the transmission. There are two belts on almost every riding mower.

Yes, it’s confusing. This “ Drive belt” was the long one that powered the blades. The shorter belt was fine and the tractor could move around under it’s own power.

 

[Snagglefoot]

We’re all done. We lowered the table and pulled all the cotter pins, and pulled the table to the side. One of the pulleys is not on the same plane as the others and pivots. That’s normal. We got the belt on by loosening the covers and pulleys to squeezedthe belts past the guides then tightened the pulleys, put the covers on and held onto the final loop. We slid the table back under, put the belt around the engine pulley, then put the hangers back on and put the cotter pins in. Runs great. Thanks for help.