Changing belts on RER

[DeathbyDixon]

Hello,
Just bought a used Snapper off a guy at work. It runs great, but I do not know how to get the belt off to change it. I looked up the model number at the Snapper website. The manual that popped-up said copyrighted in 2000. So I'm guessing I have a 1999 or 2000 model year. The manual says Snapper, rear engine rider, series 20. Mine is model 3314520BVE. Anyway, how in the world do you get the belt off the dang thing? Surely there is a way or trick or something. I guess some just loosen up the engine enough to slip the belt off? Is there a better way? Also, is there a way to adjust the belt once you put a new one on should it stretch a bit?
I'm sure this is a very often asked question, but I didn't find much info on it.
Thank you all...
Regards,
Ben

 

[noma]

Morning deathbydixon

Just wondering witch belt you are trying to replace , the drive belt or the mower deck belt? There should be a belt tightener idler pulley on the belt you are trying to replace. You need to remove one end of this spring from this idler pulley then there should be enough play to remove damaged belt. Just remember how this belt is routed so you know how to put the new belt back on.:licking::licking:

 

[DeathbyDixon]

Hello,
On my mower, there is only one belt. From the pulley from the rear engine to the mowing deck. It's a rear engine mower. The flywheel & disc assembly (rear wheel drive componenets) seem to leave no room for the belt to be slipped out. Sort of looks like there must be a trick or procedure to get the belt off. I, of course, can't see the way it works. Any help would be great.
Regards,
Ben

 

[Tommyboyxd]

Hello Ben,

Boomer Sooner!

I found this in a manual for the 4,5 and 6 series. I hope it will help with yours.

And here is the link to said manual.

 

[primodude]

excellent referral. I too was in need of info to replace these belts.. Tomorrow.. success maybe. I have two snappers I am restoring.
Thank you.

 

[primodude]

And tomorrow came and went... The belt change process is pretty much as described in the manuals, pages 12, 13 and 14?? Ok.. the only change I made was to remove the drive disc wheel by removing the 4 nuts and slipping the drive wheel off completely. Pushing the belt through the belt rod guides and then down to the space between the drive hub and the upper rotating plate wheel. Pushing the belt with a large flat head screwdriver it did slip up and away where it belonged. Simple once its done.. but a bugger to figure out without this manuals description.
Many Thanks.. One more step accomplished.

 

[chobbs1957]

I loosened the engine mounting bolts on mine, managed to slip it on then.

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[primodude]

I loosened the engine mounting bolts on mine, managed to slip it on then.

Sent from my iPad using LMF

That too was a respectable alternative that entered my mind... the 4 nuts on the drive disc were more easily accessed so I went with the book ideas.
Gracias Amigo.. good ideas.