Mower deck inoperative Craftsman 18.5 HP Briggs, 42 Inch mower with Electric clutch.

[rmclendon61@gmail.com]

This is a new problem. Craftsman 18.5 HP Briggs, 42 Inch mower with Electric clutch. Model 917.2736403
Shredded the blade drive belt. Installed new belt (the hard way) by dropping the deck. Idler pulleys were loose and floppy. The idler on the discharge side has a tension spring and seems ok, but I am not sure of the other one. The pulley was pretty loose and required tightening. It is mounted on a bracket is installed with another bolt that allows it's position to be moved. I am not sure what the correct position of the bracket is. I find nothing in the book about adjusting belt tension. The diagrams are not much help. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[chance123]

You adjust that belt tight and have about one inch of back and forth movement (by hand)

 

[rmclendon61@gmail.com]

OK! Any suggestions about how to adjust belt? The book does not address that.

 

[chance123]

It is mounted on a bracket is installed with another bolt that allows it's position to be moved. I am not sure what the correct position of the bracket is..

Just adjust until it is tight to the point you can move the belt about one inch

 

[rmclendon61@gmail.com]

Thanks to all. The problem is resolved. It seems that one of the Idler pulleys had moved VERY far when the previous belt shredded. When I repositioned it (by guess and by gosh) the belt fit and it runs and cuts great. The illustration is very misleading.

Thanks again

boB McLendon