I "inherited" a john deere model 116 rider. Me and my son got it running,but it needs lots of work still,and i will need it in a week or 2 to cut grass. The main problem is that the deck belt(not sure if this is the right name for the belt,it's the one that runs the blades,not the one that goes from the motor to the deck.) How hard is this belt to replace? does the deck have to come off? How do you measure the deck size,from one side to the other or just cutting area? I need to know this because there are 2 different size decks,the 38" and 42". thanks for any help!!

 

Not intimately familiar with the 116, but measure from blade tip to blade tip. You'll probably have to remove the deck as many have a sheet metal cover over that deck belt.
Most places I patronize would give me both belts with the option to return the one that was not right.
That tractor has the opposed twin cylinder B&S engine, right? Make sure you keep the cylinder cooling fins clean, especially on cylinder #2 (the lower one) as I have seen these engines overheat the #2 cylinder and having the exhaust valve seat work loose. PITA to repair.

 

The 116 doesn't require removal, but it isn't really that hard to get off. Essentially, you remove the spring on the right side, and then the belt from the motor to the deck has to come off, thne you can get the deck belt off, it also has it's own spring. Pay attention to the bearing in the main drive pulley, they seem to like to fail.

 

actually somebody swapped engines from stock. The mower now has a 18.5 twin cylinder B+S engine. I will look more into the belt replacement this weekend.

 

I was referring to the bearing in the double pulley on the deck... Had one a long time in the past that was a twin Briggs, then the one my dad has now is a single cylinder Kohler.

 

why not just take the old belt to the automotive store and have them put it on the belt tool and get a replacement?

 

Hi,
I'd say that the best bet for a replacement would be a JD dealer -- although places like home depot carry some of the more popular ones. You'll want one designed for that kind of service.

You might want to check out mytractorforum.com -- it's pretty much the fte of tractors -- and they cover pretty much every size. I'm sure that they have a section for small John Deeres.

Whoa, I just did a search and I found this site
John Deere 116 Parts List and Diagram : eReplacementParts.com

Opens right up to a diagrams section that has drawings for every part of the tractor and the various decks. there's some little pics on top and you just find the one you want and click on it -- impressive.

Good Luck,

hj

 

I know which bearing you were referring to,thanks. I was just stating the engine is no longer original.

because the old belt is not there.

thanks for the link,I will check it out later.

 

To determine which belt/deck size you have, measure ONE blade, from tip-to-tip.
Double (or triple, depending on how many blades are under the deck!) that length to determine deck size.