When it’s time to replace the belts in your MTD 760 into 770 series mower, it’s important to match the belt with your mower’s version number along with the belt’s purpose. Many belts on this collection of mowers have a part number beginning with 754, for example, deck belt that drives the blades and the transmission drive belt that propels the tractor. MTD warns that you shouldn’t attempt to change the transmission drive belt yourself, since “several parts must be eliminated and exceptional tools” utilized, nor if you attempt to modify the lower deck belt that helps drive the blades, even if your version has been equipped with one, for the exact same reason. You should have this job done by a licensed MTD technician. But if you’ve got a mower equipped with a single deck belt to drive the blades, then you can change it yourself. You can also change the upper deck belt on a mower using 2 deck belts — a top belt and reduced belt to drive the blades. The process is the exact same for both jobs.

Park your MTD mower on a level surface, such as a driveway. Turn off the motor; remove the key and place it in your pocket.

Lower the mower deck to its lowest position utilizing the deck lift lever.

Unscrew the self-tapping screws from the belt guard on the pulley nearest the Grass Care service Fort Lauderdale, FL discharge chute. Repeat for different pulleys with belt guards.

Remove the screw holding the belt keeper rod to the motor pulley. The motor pulley is situated facing the deck below the engine. Put the belt keeper rod aside where you wo not lose it.

Loosen the nut in the center of the idler pulley, but do not remove the nut. Repeat for the second idler pulley. The idler pulleys are smaller than another pulleys on the deck and situated side by side near the center of the deck. Only do this step for 42-inch decks. Skip this step for all additional deck sizes.

Note the way the mower deck belt is routed on the pulleys. Roll off the belt of every one of the pulleys. Use caution not to pinch your fingers.

Install the new belt around the pulleys in the identical pattern as the old belt. Verify the V side of this belt is toward the pulleys and lines up with the pulley grooves.

Tighten the nuts to the idler pulleys. Reinstall the belt keeper rod on the motor. Mount the belt guards straight back onto the mower deck.

Start the mower. Bypass the blades to test the belt is installed properly. If it is not, stop the mower’s engine and take out the key before making alterations.