Belt Replacement on Woods RM500 Finish Mower

[AndyF]

I broke the belt on my Woods mower while doing the last cut of the year. While trying to install the new belt I've run into two problems.

First - the tensioning spring came loose. When I hook it onto its mount so that it is hanging below the arm it pops off as I tension it. When I try to install it from above I cannot see any good way to turn the hook end of the spring so that it will drop into its mounting hole. What's the best way to reinstall it?

Second - What's the best way to hold the tensioning pulley in position so that the belt can be slipped over the last spindle pulley? I've tried a bar clamp, but need to pull the pulley back farther than the clamp can go.

 

[normde2001]

The serpentine belt tensioner for frontwheel drive cars has a 3/8" square hole in the arm that will accept a 3/8" breaker bar for leverage. Possibly there is something like that on your tensioner.