How to Put a Belt on a Craftsman FS5500 Riding Lawn Mower

During conventional mowing operations on an established lawn, the deck belt in your own Craftsman FS5500 riding mower usually lasts for two or three mowing seasons. But when mowing through bare locations, friction caused by flying dust, gravel and debris causes abnormal belt wear. Consequently, periodic belt checks are called for — and if it becomes necessary, replacing the belt requires under one hour.

Deck Removal

Park the mower on a firm flat surface. Turn off the engine and remove the ignition key. Set the parking brake, set the clutch lever at the “Disengaged” position and lower the attachment lift lever to its bottom position. Remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug and protected the wire safely away in the plug. Wear a pair of heavy work gloves.

Catch the forward-facing belt tension pole on the upper left of this mower deck. Maintain a firm grip, lever downward and push the end toward the tractor to disengage the spring-loaded rod in the port in the lock bracket. Once free, ease the end gradually upwards to release stress on the mower deck belt.

Go to the right of this mower. Reach underneath and remove the belt in the electrical clutch pulley situated in front of the deck.

Remove the retainer spring and washer by hand in the pin protruding through the hole at the front right suspension arm situated on the upper front of the deck, disengage the link. Repeat by disengaging the ideal rear lift link in the ideal lift arm bracket situated on the upper rear of the deck.

Disconnect the leading link between the deck and the mower chassis by removing the retainer washer and spring from the pin on the chassis and pulling the front of the link in the pin.

Remove the retainer washer and spring from the anti-sway bar connected to the perfect rear lift arm bracket. Pull the deck towards the right until the pub falls in the hole in the bracket.

Go to the other side of the mower and disengage the left front suspension arm and left rear lift arm exactly the same manner.

Turn the tractor steering wheel so that the wheels point all the way towards the left. Slide the mower deck out from below the ideal side of this tractor.

Belt Replacement

Remove the screws securing the two mandrel covers to the left and right of the deck using a Phillips screwdriver. Put the screws within the covers and lay them apart. Take note of this belt configuration and eliminate the old belt in most of drive and idler pulleys.

Remove all dirt and grass clippings from around the pulleys and the upper deck with a stiff-bristle brush.

Install the belt around the three mandrel pulleys with the “V” of this belt facing inward toward the pulley groves. Loop the horizontal side of the belt over both idler pulleys and feed the loose end of the belt forward towards the clutch pulley position.

Reinstall both outer mandrel covers and tighten the screws securely.

Deck Installation

Period the mower deck suspension arms towards the front. Slide the deck below the tractor and middle it front to back and side to side.

Reach under the perfect rear of the mower deck. Lift the anti-sway bar and insert the far end into the hole at the left transmission bracket. Pivot the pub towards the right, move the deck as needed, and insert the other end into the hole at the perfect rear suspension bracket.

Secure the anti-sway pub by replacing the washer and retainer spring removed before onto the end of this anti-sway bar protruding through the ideal suspension bracket.

Reinstall the front right suspension arm by sliding the port on the end over the pin protruding in the table and replacing the washer and retainer spring removed before. Reconnect the leading link and fasten it to the pin on the chassis with the washer and retainer spring removed before.

Go to the other side of the tractor and reinstall the left front suspension arm exactly the same manner.

Attach the perfect rear lift link by lifting the corner of the deck and positioning the port in the end of the link over the pin protruding from the rear lift arm bracket. Secure it with the washer and retainer spring removed before. Repeat and attach the left rear lift link exactly the same manner.

Slide the loose front part of this new belt over the electrical clutch pulley. Check the entire belt for proper alignment and navigation in all the pulley grooves.

Go to the left hand and push the belt tension rod down and then fasten it by hooking it in the slot in the lock bracket.

Lift the deck by raising the attachment lift lever to highest position to finish the installation.

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