how can i change the drive belt on my Craftsman 22″ walk behind lawn mower?
Belts designed to be replaced are almost never meant to be forced on – if you have to force it, something’s not right. There should be a belt tensioner somewhere in the system, which can be loosened (usually via a single bolt) and then allows the pulleys to move closer together. Look for a spring-loaded bracket, or just a bracket that’s designed to pivot once a bolt is removed. (Not all systems use a spring.) You then slip the new belt on (easily, now), and tighten the tensioner until you have (usually) 1 finger’s width of play left where you can move the belt a bit. Make sure you’re installing the correct belt for the mower. Companies like JacksSmallEngines can source most repair items for mowers and other tools. Generics are fine, but its dimensions (width, length, and shape) must be correct or it won’t work. Not for long, anyway. It’s odd that your walk-behind has a belt. That’s unusual. Most have vertical-shaft engines that connect directly to the blade. Belts are very common on ri
