I have a 42" MTD riding mower when I got it the deck was already removed. I have it all put back together. The only problem I have is I cant get the blade belt tight enough to turn the blades? It does not have a idler pulley. any help would be grateful.

Kevin Kollar, July 2008

The idler pulleys are part of the clutch mechanism attached to the blade engage lever. If the lever looks like it should be tightening the belt, but there isn't enough travel, you either have a missing tension sprin (as per John's answer, or you have the wrong belt.

phil_saunders@bigfoot.com

Phil Saunders, July 2008

Are you sure you have the correct belt? The only things I can think of are the cutter deck spring (that pulls the deck rearwards) is not there or the belt itself is on the wrong side of any jockey pulley that may be there.

John, July 2008