changing belts on Snapper

[DeathbyDixon]

Hello,
I posted on the brand specific forum several days ago and only got 1 response. Maybe I should have posted here? Anyway, here is my question. I have a 1999 or 2000 model year Snapper rear engine rider. It is a series 20 according to the manual. Model # 3314520BVE. There is one belt that drives the blade from a pulley below the engine. How in the world do you get the belt off? There is a flywheel and rear end drive components that fit very close together that will not allow the belt to be taken off. Some just loosen up the engine and slip it off. But how do you actually get it off? Some sort of trick? or procedure that I can't figure out? Any answers would be great!! Thank you.
Regards,
Ben

 

[cashman]

I'm not that familiar with the later style Snappers, but the older ones you had to remove the belt guard off the top of the deck and remove or loosen the idler pulley to remove the belt from the deck first. Then place the mower in 3rd gear and depress the clutch pedal fully and that should allow enough room to remove the belt from the crankshaft pulley. Never had to loosen the engine to replace a belt. Adjust the belt I think with a bolt near the end of the frame near the engine on the later styles. A good rule of thumb on belt adjustment is two fingers distance between the opposite side of the belt and the idler pulley with the engine off and the blade engaged. Thanks!!!

 

[DeathbyDixon]

Thank you cashman! I will give that a try today. I appreciate the advice.
Regards,
Ben

 

[cashman]

I have changed a belt on one of the later style mowers but was years ago and I may be wrong about the location of the belt adjustment bolt, but I seem to remember a bolt on there somewhere that moves the mower deck back and forth to adjust the belt? On the older Snappers you loosened the clamp on the tube to adjust the belt. Once you get the belt installed and adjusted, make sure that you don't have a belt guide rubbing against the belt when the blade is engaged. Hope all this helps anyway. Thanks!!!