1. Safety First:
- Disengage the blade control lever and turn the engine off.
- Allow the lawnmower to cool down completely before starting the repair process.
- Remove the spark plug wire to prevent accidental starting during the repair.
2. Disconnect the Drive Cable:
- Locate the drive cable. It's usually a metal cable connected to a lever on the lawnmower's left side.
- Disconnect the drive cable from the lever. Typically, a small retaining clip or pin secures it.
3. Remove the Deck Covers:
- Unbolt or remove the deck covers to access the drive belt and pulley assembly. There might be multiple covers depending on your lawnmower model.
4. Release the Belt Tension:
- Look for the belt tensioner. It's usually a lever or spring-loaded mechanism that controls the tension of the drive belt.
- Disengage the belt tensioner using your fingers or a tool to release the tension on the drive belt.
5. Remove the Drive Belt:
- Once the belt tension is released, you can remove the old drive belt by slipping it off the pulleys.
6. Inspect the Pulleys:
- Inspect the pulleys for any damage, cracks, or wear. Replace any damaged or worn pulleys before installing a new belt.
7. Install the New Drive Belt:
- Take the new drive belt and wrap it around the pulleys in the correct direction.
- Make sure the belt is properly seated on all the pulleys.
8. Re-Engage Belt Tension:
- Re-engage the belt tensioner lever or spring-loaded mechanism to apply tension to the new drive belt.
9. Test the Drive Belt:
- Engage the blade control lever to start the lawnmower.
- Check the tension of the drive belt by pushing it gently with your finger. The belt should have some tension but not be overly tight.
10. Re-Attach Drive Cable:
- Re-attach the drive cable to the lever. Make sure it's properly seated and secured.
11. Replace Deck Covers:
- Reinstall the deck covers that you removed earlier. Make sure they're properly secured to prevent debris and grass clippings from entering the lawnmower.
12. Reconnect Spark Plug:
- Reconnect the spark plug wire to the spark plug.
13. Test Mow:
- Start the lawnmower and test it by moving it forward and backward. Make sure it moves smoothly and the drive belt doesn't slip or make any unusual noises.
By following these steps, you can successfully replace the drive belt on your Yardman 17HP 42 deck lawnmower.
