How to Replace the Drive Belt on a Husqvarna Zero Turn Mower | CrabgrassLawn (2024)

The drive belt is one of the major components of your Husqvarna mower and requires frequent checks and maintenance.

But just like any other components, drive belts are prone to wear and tear and need replacement regularly.

I am familiar with how to replace the drive belt on a Husqvarna zero-turn turn mower because I performed the task recently via the following steps:

  1. Set the parking brakes
  2. Undo the bolts
  3. Remove and replace the belt

Read on to find out how to perform these steps properly.

Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate and participant in various other affiliate programs, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you from qualifying purchases.



Table of Contents show

Replacing Your Husqvarna Zero Turn Mower Drive Belt: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Set Parking Brakes

To remove your drive belt; first, you must not only ensure that your parking brake is on, but also that your mower itself is parked on a leveled surface with no inclination that may cause sudden movements. This is one of the most important aspects of lawnmower safety!

Step 2: Bolts

How to Replace the Drive Belt on a Husqvarna Zero Turn Mower | CrabgrassLawn (1)

The next step is to remove the bolts from the belt shield, which is the casing in which the driving belt is enclosed. Removing the bolts should ensure the casing comes off easily.

Step 3: Belt Configuration

Once the casing comes off, you should see the drive belt and, most importantly, mentally note how it is routed and configured so that you may have a perfect guide once it’s time to replace it.

Step 4: Removing the Belt

How to Replace the Drive Belt on a Husqvarna Zero Turn Mower | CrabgrassLawn (2)

To remove the belt, you must first move the idler arm to ensure looseness and then go ahead and remove the belt by gently pushing it over the top of the housing pulleys.

Step 5: Replacing the Belt – Wrapping the Pulleys

How to Replace the Drive Belt on a Husqvarna Zero Turn Mower | CrabgrassLawn (3)

Once you’re done with the cleaning, maintenance, or total replacement of the belt, proceed to open the engine shaft again andthen wrap the deck belt around the clutch pulley just as it was earlier.

Step 6: Idler Arms

How to Replace the Drive Belt on a Husqvarna Zero Turn Mower | CrabgrassLawn (4)

Push in on the idler arm that was moved earlier (to ensure looseness) and once you’re done routing the belt, release the idler arm to its initial position to ensure fastening.

Step 7: Final Check

Confirm to see if your final routing configuration is the same as it was earlier. Make sure there aren’t any knots or hard twists on the belt.

Step 8: Replace Encasing

How to Replace the Drive Belt on a Husqvarna Zero Turn Mower | CrabgrassLawn (5)

Carefully replace the encasem*nt removed earlier on the belt housing and make sure the major bolt spaces fall on the right surfaces.

Step 9: Replace Bolts

Replace and fasten the bolts on the drive shield casing.

And You’re Done. Check out this video below for a more in-depth how-to. Please note that Husqvarna has recalled certain riding lawnmower models.

How to Replace the Drive Belt on Husqvarna Zero Turn Riding Lawn mower

We hope you enjoyed our guide on how to replace the drive belt in your Husqvarna Zero Turn Mower. Feel free to leave comments below on your success and the challenges you faced. If your Husqvarna lawnmower isn’t in a repairable state or you’re just looking for a new riding mower, check out the most powerful Husqvarna zero-turn mower.

FAQs

What Does a Drive Belt Do on a Lawnmower?

No matter how lawn mower is operated, they all have a belt that runs from the drive wheels to the engine. The belt is used to transfer power from the engine to the wheels, and when the belt is not tight, the mower will not move forward or backward as it should.

Why Does My Deck Belt Keep Breaking?

The most common cause of the deck belt breaking would be an idler or mandrel pulley not lined up properly or the bearings going out and making the pulley wobble, or the belt getting rubbed somewhere. Check the pullies on the deck to make sure they turn freely and are not loose and wobbling around.

What Causes a Mower Deck to Vibrate?

If the mower vibrates when you engage the cutting blades, there might be a problem with the blade drive system. Deck vibration can be caused by an unbalanced blade, worn pulley or mandrel, bad blade belt, or debris caught inside a pulley. Loose nuts or bolts on the pulleys, mandrels, or blades can also cause vibration.

Why Does My Lawnmower Keep Throwing the Belt?

A retaining bolt for the pulley has come loose, or you have bad bearings. Make sure all pulleys are still rotating smoothly. If one has bearings that have gone south, the pulley could be co*cked, which will throw the belt. So, check the spindle bearings and check the tensioner pulley and the idler pulley if it has one.

How Do You Adjust a Tensioner Pulley?

Turn the adjustment bolt on the side, top, or bottom of the pulley counterclockwise with the ratchet and socket until the accessory belt is loose enough to remove. Tighten the tensioner pulley by turning the adjustment bolt clockwise with the ratchet and socket until the belt is tight.

You May Also Like

The Dangers of Zero Turn Mowers on Hills

Best Zero Turn Mowers for Hills and Slopes

Best Commercial Zero Turn Mowers

Disadvantages of Zero Turn Mowers (That you NEED to know NOW)

Rob Boirun( Writer )

Rob started his passion for lawn care before he was 10 years old when we would regularly help his grandfather tend to his yard in Jupiter, FL which got him involved with learning all about St. Augustine and Floratam grasses.

How to Replace the Drive Belt on a Husqvarna Zero Turn Mower | CrabgrassLawn (2024)

FAQs

What causes a drive belt to break on a zero turn mower? ›

Over time, dirt, grass clippings, and even trash can accumulate on the deck. This build-up can create added friction and pressure on the belt system, leading to wear and eventual breakage.

How do you fix a belt on a zero turn mower? ›

INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Step 1: Prepare your Ultima zero-turn mower for maintenance. ...
  2. Step 2: Set your mower's deck height to the lowest setting.
  3. Step 3: Remove both belt covers. ...
  4. Step 4: Remove the access panel. ...
  5. Step 5: Remove the belt from the spindle pulleys. ...
  6. Step 7: Install the replacement belt.

Where is the engine drive belt diagram? ›

Where can I find a belt routing diagram for my engine? A: Commonly a belt routing diagram sticker is on the underside of the hood or in the engine compartment. If there is no diagram, make a sketch of the belt and pulleys before removing the belt. This will help you re-route the new belt correctly.

Why does my Husqvarna mower belt keep breaking? ›

Check pulleys for wear and worn out bearings. A pulley rides on bearings that allows it to spin freely. When a pulley doesn't spin freely, friction is created between the pulley and belt, causing the belt to break.

How long should a belt last on a zero turn mower? ›

While mower belts don't have a set expiration date, they exhibit wear signs indicating the need for replacement. Here are the key indicators to look out for: Cracks: Mower belts can develop small cracks over time, especially if exposed to heat and frequent use.

Can you tighten drive belt on mower? ›

Loosen the set screw and turn the wrench counter-clockwise to adjust the drive belt on a lawn mower. Use a torque wrench on more giant diameter belts.

Why does my zero turn mower deck belt keep coming off? ›

Engaging the mower at anything less than full throttle can throw the belt off. The next thing that will cause this is an IDLER pulley beating that is dry. Over a period of time, these idler pulleys will wear out and the grease goes away. You CANNOT grease these bearing so you will just have to replace them.

Is mower drive belt same as deck belt? ›

The deck belt is the one that powers the blades and the drive belt powers the tractor's motion. The deck belt comes with the deck when you remove the deck but the drive belt remains with the tractor.

How do I choose a belt drive? ›

Belts Drives - Wedge belt selection procedure
  1. 1) Service factor. Refer to Table 1 below and select a service factor appropriate to the drive conditions. ...
  2. 2) Design power. ...
  3. 3) Belt section. ...
  4. 4) Speed ratio. ...
  5. 5) Pulley pitch diameters. ...
  6. 6) Belt length. ...
  7. 7) Centre distance. ...
  8. 8) Power per belt (kW)
Dec 21, 2020

What is a PTO drive belt? ›

The PTO (or power take-off) belt is part of a pulley system that operates the blades on your riding lawn mower. It runs off the electric clutch system in your engine. If you hear squealing during operation or see dry rot on your PTO belt, you may need to replace it.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kimberely Baumbach CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 6612

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kimberely Baumbach CPA

Birthday: 1996-01-14

Address: 8381 Boyce Course, Imeldachester, ND 74681

Phone: +3571286597580

Job: Product Banking Analyst

Hobby: Cosplaying, Inline skating, Amateur radio, Baton twirling, Mountaineering, Flying, Archery

Introduction: My name is Kimberely Baumbach CPA, I am a gorgeous, bright, charming, encouraging, zealous, lively, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.