Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): mtd drive belt replacement?, deck hangers, idler pulleys

Question
On replacing a mower belt to a MTD 16hp 42in cut do you have to remove all the clips and washers to the deck or is there an easier faster way to remove and replace the belt to the mower?  assistance is needed the old belt fell off due to a shreading problem while cutting the grass.  

Answer
It's usually easier,you have more room, to remove everything if you familar with the deck hangers.  However, it may be just as fast to remove each clip seperately and route the belt.  

In the shop we remove the whole deck but if we make a service call we normally just remove each one seperately, route the belt, and move to the next clip.

As for belt routing, the best thing is the manual.  If you don't have the manual, you will have to figure out the belt routing.  The V part of the belt rides in a V pulley.  The flat side or back of the belt rides on flat pulleys, usually idler pulleys.  This may sound obvious, but I remember one mechanic teaching me this lesson when I first started working on mowers.  It may take some time, but you can always figure out the routing using this simple concept...as long as you have the correct belt...too long or short a belt will drive you nuts.

Let me know if this helps.
Eric