Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Serpentine belt on riding mower, schematic drawing, idler pulleys


Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hi I hope you can help. I have a Scotts riding mower model 50560X8 The belt broke, I got a replacement and a schematic drawing on how it is SUPPOSED to go on but I have been trying for 3 weeks and am going absolutely nucking futz trying to put this thing on...am I a total moron or is there something I am missing? PLEASE HELP while I am still sane!
Answer -
Hi Perry,

I'm not sure waht the problem is.  What happens when you follow the schematic?  Does the belt not fit to go around all the pulleys?  Note:  The belts' backside rides on the idler pulleys.  Usually one idler is spring loaded and will need to be streched to allow the belt to fit.

Michael

Michel,
I am not sure what the problem is. I have verified that the schematic is indeed the correct one for my model and that the belt is the correct belt. but the schematic looks different from my mower (It looks closer if I look at it from the back with light behind it) and I seem to have too much belt left over..... the only thig I can think is that it must go around some of the pulleys more than once, but I can't figure how to do that without twisting the belt. Is there anywhere that has instructions for installing the belt that goes with the schematic? --This is extremely frustrating--I am starting to doubt my mental capacities.

Answer
Hi Perry,

I don't know where you could see schematic instructions.
Belts usually do not get set up twisted.  If there is too much belt, try to see if at some point between pulleys, the belt can be pulled inward to go around an idler.  other than that I don't know what to say.  Does the belt actually match the old one?  How do you know it is the correct belt?  If the deck doesn't match the schematic, maybe the deck was changed?

Michael