Remove the Deck Belt

• 1). Pull the deck lever up to the highest position. Unscrew the two belt guard pins next to the pulley under the engine using a wrench, then slip the belt off the engine pulley.
  
  
• 2). Push the deck lever down to the lowest position. Unhook the spring from the left, back side of the mower deck attaching to the transmission support bracket.
  
  
• 3). Unscrew the belt guard pins next to the pulleys on top of the mower deck using a wrench. Slip the belt off the deck pulleys and remove the belt.
  
  

Remove the Rear Drive Belt

• 1). Start the MTD riding mower. Place the shift lever in the neutral position and adjust the speed lever to the highest setting (usually gear 7). Shut off the engine, but don't set the parking brake.
  
  
• 2). Push the deck lever down to the lowest position. Unhook the spring from the left, back side of the mower deck attaching to the transmission support bracket.
  
  
• 3). Unhook the large idler spring from the top of the variable speed pulley above the deck pulley that attaches to the right side of the transmission support bracket.
  
  
• 4). Loosen the nut to the right of the top of the variable speed pulley with a 9/16-inch wrench until the nut is loose and allows the pulley to move.
  
  
• 5). Remove the belt. Slip the belt off of the variable speed pulley, the idler pulley and the rear drive pulley.