Do you own a Murray riding mower? The Murray riding mower is considered a fine lawn mower for your lawn. Many people who have bought and used these mowers are often frustrated with the way that the drive belt is designed. This is because the drive belt lasts for the lifetime of the lawn mower.
Below, you will find a brief overview of how to adjust the drive belt on the Murray riding mower.
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How to Adjust the Drive Belt on the Murray Riding Mower?
While you might be able to adjust the belt on a few different models, you will have to check your owner’s manual to be sure that it will work for your model. This is because the drive belt will have to be removed from the mower in order to get to the deck. For the belt to be adjusted, it will have to be removed, and then reinstalled.
You can find the belt on the right side of the mower, underneath the deck. You will need to open up the deck in order to access the belt, but this is a fairly simple process. You may have to open up the deck in two different places to make the process easier. Once you have the belt out of the way, you can adjust the belt using an Allen wrench.
However, if you want to keep your Murray riding mower running smoothly, it’s important to maintain your belts. The drive belts are made of rubber and can stretch over time, causing your mower to run unevenly or not at all.
This isn’t as hard as it sounds follow these steps to adjust the belt on Murray riding mower:
1. Inspect Belt Condition
Inspect the belt for any cracks, wear and tear, or signs of stretching. If you notice any of these issues, take action immediately.
Check for signs of wear or damage on your drive belt:
- Enable access to the belt.
- Disconnect the spark plug wire.
- Disconnect the battery cable.
- Remove the Fuel Tank, Mower Deck, and Air Filter Housing. (Refer to your Murray Riding Mower Owner’s Manual for details)
2. Loosen the Tensioner Bolt
Loosen the tensioner bolt. A tensioner is a spring-loaded device that helps to keep your drive belt tight. The bolt is located on top of your mower and can be accessed by removing two screws with a Phillips screwdriver, one at each side of the mower’s frame.
To loosen it, turn counterclockwise until you feel resistance from the pulley wheel. Then loosen another quarter turn or so (until you can see some play in between) and continue turning. Until you have enough slack in this area for your belt to move freely back and forth without rubbing against anything else around.
3. Adjust the Tension of the Belt
To adjust the tension of the belt, you’ll need to use a socket wrench. The correct tension for your mower will depend on how long it’s been since you last adjusted your belt and how often it’s used.
You can determine this by following these steps:
- Remove all debris from around and underneath the deck area where your engine is located (this includes grass clippings, leaves, etc.)
- Turn off power to all electrical components attached to that particular part of your vehicle (if applicable). This will prevent any damage from occurring if something gets stuck in there while trying to remove said object later
4. Re-Check the Tension
Now you’ll need to check the tension of your belt. This is done by tightening it down and then loosening it again. You’ll want to do this several times in order to make sure that there are no problems with your drive belt. If there are any signs of damage or wear, they may cause problems later on when you’re trying to adjust them.
You can also use an old toothbrush handle as a lever and turn the whole thing through its full range of motion until all parts feel tight enough (or loose enough). If it feels anything like too tight or too loose at any point during this process, then you know right away what needs attention.
5. Tighten the Tensioner Bolt
The tensioner bolt is located on the underside of the deck, near where it meets with your mower. To loosen it, use a socket wrench to turn counterclockwise until you feel resistance. The bolt should be tight enough so that you can’t move it at all with your fingers but not so tight that it cuts into or damages any parts of your mower’s fan belt system.
6. Clean Equipment Parts
- Remove the mower deck.
- Clean the mower deck with a clean rag or paper towel.
- Clean the engine and other internal parts of your Murray riding mower using a damp cloth and some degreasing soap (do not use gasoline to clean them).
7. Keep Mower in Top Shape
To keep your mower in top shape, you’ll need to keep your drive belts in good condition. This means checking them for wear and damage every time you change the oil or add new belt tensioners.
Check whether there’s any fraying at the edge of a belt with a piece of wire or another sharp object. If so, it may be time for a replacement.
How Do You Change the Belt?
You will need to remove the deck of the mower in order to get to the belt. Once you have removed the deck, you can loosen the bolt that is holding the pulley in place, and then remove the belt.
You can then replace the belt with a new one. You should replace the belt as soon as possible once you notice signs of wear.
How Tight Should the Lawn Mower Drive Belt Be?
The belt should be tight, but not too tight. You should be able to turn the pulley of the lawn mower with your hand. If you cannot turn the lawn mower by hand, the belt is too loose.
If it is too loose, it will slip, and the lawn mower will not run properly. If the belt is too tight, it may cause the motor to overheat, which could damage the lawn mower.
How Do You Adjust Belt Tension?
You will have to ensure that the belt is loose enough that it can easily move, and yet it is tight enough that it will not slip.
The tension on the belt can be adjusted by turning the bolt that is holding the pulley in place. Turn the bolt so that it is tighter, and the belt will be tighter. Turn the bolt to the other side to make the belt looser.
How do you put a belt on a Murray Select riding lawn mower?
If you are working with a belt that has been removed from the mower, you will have to line up the grooves on the belt with the tabs on the mower deck.
Once you have the belt aligned, push the belt into place. You will have to make sure that the belt is as tight as possible.
How do I know if my mower belt is too loose?
If your belt is too loose, you will notice that the mower is not running at full speed. It will also be difficult to push, and the engine will sound like it is running too slowly. If your belt is too loose, you will have to take it off of the mower, re-adjust the belt, and then put it back onto the mower.
If you are working with a belt that has come off completely, push the belt back into place, and then take the mower to a repair shop.
They will be able to replace the belt for you. If you are working with a belt that is too loose, you will want to take the belt off of the mower, re-adjust the belt, and then put it back onto the mower.
If you are working with a belt that has come off completely, push the belt back into place, and then take the mower to a repair shop. They will be able to replace the belt for you.
What can go wrong with the drive belt?
The drive belt is the piece of the lawn mower that drives the wheels of the mower. If the belt breaks on your mower, the wheels will no longer spin, and the mower will not function. Most Murray riding mowers have a lifetime warranty on the belt, so you can take the mower to a repair shop to be repaired free of charge.
Another issue that can happen with the belt is that it can become loose. If the belt is too loose, it will slip, and the mower will not run properly. A belt that is too loose can also cause the mower to be difficult to push.
How often should you change the belt?
The belt should be replaced every five years, or as soon as it begins to show signs of wear. If you are unsure if your belt is worn out, you can check the belt for signs of wear.
The belt should be replaced if it is cracked, or if the edges of the belt have been frayed. You can also tell if the belt needs to be replaced if you need to adjust it often.
Conclusion:
Owning a lawn mower is the best way to keep your lawn looking great. There are many different types of lawnmowers, so you will have to pick one that works best for your lawn.
If you own a Murray riding mower, you will have to make sure that you know how to adjust the belt. If the belt breaks, you will need to replace it as soon as possible to keep the mower running smoothly.
