Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): troy bilt big red horse drive belt and cruise problem, belt tension, horse drive

Question
QUESTION: I have a Troy-bilt "Big Red Horse" 50" cut Garden tractor I need help with the transmission belt replacement. It is the long belt, part number 954-0467A, I was cutting my yard and the mower just stopped moving, no forward or reverse movement, after inspecting, I noticed the long belt was off, looks like it may just be old and came off, it has some cracks in it and cord coming out of it. How do I get the old belt out or off, and the new one back on? What needs to be removed? And is there an adjustment for the cruise control? On the one I have, no matter if you were moving fast or slow, you set the cruise and it would just automatically go back to slow speed instead of where it was set at. It is model number
12A-44MC055 Serial number 1C017K10961. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Sam

ANSWER: I would remove the cutting deck to replace the drive belt.  Your Owner's Manual (link below) describes how to remove the cutting deck.

http://www.troybilt.com/wcsstore/TroyBiltUS-CAS/Attachment/ownersManuals/riders/

With the cutting deck removed you should be able to lay under the mower.  Take digital pictures or draw a diagram of the current drive belt routing.  With your picturs/diagram complete, stare at the engine and remove the belt.  You will probably have to loosen the drive deck belt tension pulley to have enought belt slack to remove he belt.  With the old belt off just reverse the process while installing the new drive belt.

Let me if this helps.
Eric

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The drive belt was already off the pulleys when I looked at it, so I don't know how it was routed, I think I have a pretty good idea, but  not 100% sure. What all needs to be removed to get the belt off? And how can I adjust the cruise control to stay set at the speed I initially set it at?

Thank you, any help is greatly appreciated.

Answer
There may be some belt guides that need to be loosened to get the belt off but if it is already off the pulleys it should be easy to remove.


As far as parts you need to remove there should not be anyting, other than the deck you need to remove.  When installing the new belt, start by putting the belt on the engine crankshaft pulley.  Followig the shifting arm from the handle and all the way to the transmission.  Looks for any loose or wore pivot points connected with bolts/screws.  I have found some units with loose bolts, wore pivot joints, and a few where the adjustment on the transaxle needed to be tightened.

Eric