lx279 deck installation

[scocope]

I removed my 48" deck on my lx279; pulled the j pins, slipped the belt off of the engine pulley and removed the deck. Now I can't get the deck back on. If I leave the belt off the engine, the j pins and their corresponding holes align but the belt does have enough play to go on the engine pulley. If the belt is on the pulley the deck will not slide back enough (less than 3/4" is needed) The deck height adjustment is on zero, the deck is on the down position and nothing was done to the deck except sharpening and greasing. Should the belt tensioner allow the belt to give enough for the belt to go on last or the deck to slide back (the reason I'm asking is that the drive pulley on the deck is extremely hard to swing, even harder than an automotive fan belt tensioner or timing belt tensioner) or is there something else that is causing this?

 

[scocope]

Sorry despite the fact I was in the john deere forum originally when I attempted to edit this post it sent it over to you lawn boy guys; technology is really not my friend today!

 

[rarebear]

On my Snapper I install the belt on the motor first and drop the deck on the ground..
I have a idler pulley and I have to loosen that to get belt over blade pulley..

Try the reverse of how you took it a part...

 

[bertsmobile1]

Put the deck on some 2 x 4's
it will then be level with the drive pulley so will have the greatest amount of slack in the belt and hooks can be twisted to fit.
Same as when you take it off.
Put some 2x4's directly aross the mower under the deck.
Drop the deck onto the wood.
Not nly will it be easier to ake it off but it will slide out on the 2x4 much easier.