X300 drive belt replacement

[287IN10thMTN]

my father's x300 just smoked one of the idler pulleys and while I am at it I wanted to replace both POS plastic idlers and drive belt... whats the easiest way to replace the belt??

 

[sshaw]

The manual is available online at this link and contains instructions for replacing the mower drive belt.

OMM155820-H6

 

[coollx]

I worked on my X300 over the winter and removed the drive belt. Here's what I did after studying the tractor and mower pan.
1. Remove the mower pan completely
2. Go to the rear of the machine and remove the small guard (2 small bolts) protecting the rotating cooling fan on the transaxle (you may not need to remove this but I did)
3. On the right rear of the tractor locate the end of the tension spring for the main drive belt system and using a pair of vise grips or pliers pull it toward you to remove it from the bolt it wraps around
4. go under the machine and the belt will come off easily. Just make sure you pay attention to how it winds around the pullies and idler.

 

[Nobhill]

How exactly do you remove and more importantly replace the belt? I can't thread it past the reinforcing strut on the left hand side.

 

[beenthere]

From jdparts.com, shows two idlers, one of them is held tight with a spring. Likely need to get to that spring and unhook it.

Have you been into it far enough to see where that spring and idlers are located?

Post #3 above may give you some good clues..

But let us know just how far along you have gotten ... pics can help with answers too.

 

[Nobhill]

From jdparts.com, shows two idlers, one of them is held tight with a spring. Likely need to get to that spring and unhook it.

Have you been into it far enough to see where that spring and idlers are located?

Post #3 above may give you some good clues..

But let us know just how far along you have gotten ... pics can help with answers too.

We have everything possible off - now it seems that the belt is too long. Does someone have a picture or diagram of the belt routing?

 

[beenthere]

Here is pic from jdparts.com (free registration) of drive belt (s/n over 40,938).
Part # M144044

 

[Nobhill]

Thanks beenthere - I have that diagram, but what I do need is a diagram of the transmission belt and its routing thru the tractor as we didnt take a picture before we took off the old belt. The above picture you posted is just of the parts. We have routed the belt through but appear to have missed something because there is too much slack in the belt - at least 10" so we are thinking its routed wrong. Would someone have a service manual with a picture of the transmission belt and its routing through the mower? Or does someone have a photo of their own when taking it apart? Why is this so hard to find any info on it. The owners manual does not even list the transmission belt at all - only the two mower belts, it was the dealer I bought the belts from that told me there are 3 belts. It manual doesnt even mention how to change this belt either.

 

[beenthere]

Do you have that belt part # or is it different?

 

[RBLapham]

Here is the procedure from the service manual - attached For the earlier models but should be very similar on later ones. Get a manual - they are free from Deere.

 

[RBLapham]

Might also add - did you release the brake?

 

[Nobhill]

Here is the procedure from the service manual - attached For the earlier models but should be very similar on later ones. Get a manual - they are free from Deere.

Thank you for the procedure - we searched for a service manual and could only find the owners manual which we have. It doesnt have this in the owners manual. Thank you its very much appreciated.

 

[Nobhill]

Might also add - did you release the brake?

I think so. With the mower deck removed, the brake lever is in the locked position and behaves differently than when the mower is attached. Anyway, the lock handle is down, so I assume I unlocked it.

 

[Hill-Billy]

I replaced the transaxle pulley, transaxle belt, and idler pullys on a JD 2009 X300. I took pics and wrote the whole process down in case I needed to do it again because there is no info anywhere about it. Not sure if I'm any help, but I attached two pics of the transaxle belt installed as they run thru the idler pulleys. Pics were taken laying on the ground looking up at the bottom of the tractor.
In both pics: the "bottom" of the attached pics are going toward rear of tractor and the "top" of the pic is toward the front, you can see daylight in one of the pics because the seat and gas tank are removed.
Also here are the part numbers that I used.
Transaxle Belt P/N: M144044, transaxle pulley P/N: MIU800783, transaxle idler pully P/N: AM138079 and AM 138080, transaxle spring washer P/N: M87534 this washer goes with the transaxle pulley.

 

[landscapeguru]

I took pics and wrote the whole process down in case I needed to do it again because there is no info anywhere about it.

Any way I could get a copy of the process? I know you made that post a couple of years ago, but I'd sure appreciate it, and any photos you have. yardscapeelaine at gmail dot com

Thanks in advance!

 

[jackislost]

I'd like to see that detailed write up as I am currently trying to change my main drive belt now. I forgot to take pictures as I always forget to do. I think the two pics you got here my get me over the hump will find out in the morning. Thanks.