mower deck belt replacing

[bwooten]

Trying to figure out how to unhook the idler spring on a bx2200. The spring
is very strong! Is there a trick or tool??

 

[85Hokie]

Trying to figure out how to unhook the idler spring on a bx2200. The spring
is very strong! Is there a trick or tool??

Take a pair of vise grips, lock the hell out of them - give a little tug, with a screwdriver to help pry around the holder! It aint real fun, but easy once you do it and cuss a few times!

 

[ipz2222]

Yea, it has lots of tension. I made a log "pry bar" with a notch and pin to move the lever.

 

[Toyboy]

I just use my crow bar and push the idler back with that. Pretty easy to do and I do it every fall when I drop the deck.
I suppose when installing a new never been stretched belt a helping hand would be appreciated.

 

[armylifer]

I bought this pry bar as part of a set from Harbor Freight many years ago. This one stays permanently on my tractor. I use it for so many tasks including releasing tension on the mower deck belt idler pulley.

 

[D2Cat]

If you have a wrench like this, a monkey wrench, you can usually open the jaws and fit it on the bar holding the pulley and move it pretty easily.

 

[L4740]

I use a ratchet strap. Works great. Ratchet up the idler pulley to take the tension of, take off the belt, then release the strap. Works just as good putting the belt back on.

 

[MadMax31]

I just use a construction wrench. Spring does have a lot of tension though...

I like the ratchet strap idea, Im gonna try that next time.

 

[MikeyA]

I use a brake spring pliers. They have a hook on one side and make it easy to grab spring and pull it off and on.