[shortbus]

I have a 1862 with a 44" deck, have been mowing with it for about 4 years now. Earlier this summer the pto belt broke and the part number on the belt still showed 954-3003A, the replacement belt I bought wasn't the correct length I found out later, 89" instead of 89 1/2". It didn't last very long about 3 mowings.

I bit the bullet and bought an expensive correct belt. But before putting it on I need to know the correct routing for the belt. I never looked at how the belt was routed before it broke, the new belt(89") shredded so I may have put it on wrong as well as it not being the right length.

So now to the real question. Does the deck have to be released from the mule drive when putting on the belt? The mower pulley is offset and the only way I can see the belt lining up is to drop the deck and go around the outside on the deck hanger on the left side(when sitting in the seat). I tried doing a forum search for pto belt routing and didn't find one. The repair manual I got with the mower doesn't show any belt routing either.

Can someone here give me some information on how the belt is routed, please!!