John Deere L110 Belt Change: How to Replace the Traction Drive Belt

Discover how to change the traction drive belt on a John Deere L110 riding mower. Follow clear instructions for removing the old belt and installing a replacement correctly.

One of the most sought after John Deere models, the L110 is a best choice for homeowners as well as for people who want to get a reliable and dependable lawn care machine to maintain their grass in good condition. This is excellent for medium and large size private yards.  As with any mower, it requires routine maintenance to ensure proper operation, particularly at mowing season's start and end.

Part to look at is the mower belt. Here, it is not the mower deck belt, but the traction drive belt. The traction belt is used to move power from the engine to the transmission. This belt, if it breaks, could cause the mower to stall while the engine is still operational.

Take the time to check the mower before you start cutting. Picking up a worn or damaged belt at the early stages can help avoid further damage. If the belt is already worn-out, you can replace it at home, but this is more complicated than changing a deck belt.

This article will cover how to change the traction drive belt on a John Deere L110. You will also learn some of the most frequently used symptoms of a worn belt and what to look for when the new belt fails. 

Why Your Traction Drive Belt Wears Out

A traction drive belt takes a beating every time you mow. It always flexes over the pulleys because it`s dealing with high tension and heat. Over time, the belt rubber wears out. 

The early signs are belt slipping and cracks. Sometimes the surface gets slick. So if you hear a loud squealing sound, it can mean the belt is struggling to grip.

That's why it's worth checking the belt from time to time instead of waiting for it to break. This can save you from bigger problems later.

Tools and Materials You'll Need for Changing the Traction Drive Belt on John Deere L110

Before starting your John Deere L110 belt change, gather the following equipment:

•  New traction drive belt. Always check your owner's manual or the L110 parts diagram for the correct part number.

•  Socket wrench set and ratchet

• Pliers (needle-nose and standard)

• Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers

• Wood block

• Work gloves

• Safety glasses

• A creeper or mat to lie on

• Jack stands or other proper supports if you need to raise the mower

Having the right tools ready saves you from stopping halfway through the job and running out to the store. It also makes the whole belt replacement much easier.

UDC Parts expert tip: Check the new belt against the old one before installing it. If the length or shape looks noticeably different, make sure you have the correct belt for your mower.

Safety First

Before starting with the mower, the mower should be totally turned off. Park it on a flat, level surface, turn off the engine, remove the key, and set the parking brake. Disconnect the spark plug wire so the engine cannot start by accident.

If you have just run the mower, let the engine and muffler cool for at least 15 minutes before working underneath it.

If you need to lift the mower, use sturdy jack stands or proper blocks to keep it safely in place. Never rely on a jack alone while working underneath the mower.

Some extra minutes before beginning and making sure the mower is safe can help prevent an accident underneath it.

Guide: How to Change Traction Drive Belt on John Deere L110

Step 1: Remove the Mower Deck

For this belt replacement, you need to remove the mower deck. Simply lowering the deck to its lowest cutting position doesn't give you the access needed for the traction drive belt.

Follow the instructions in your owner's manual to disconnect and remove the mower deck. Set the deck aside in a safe place so you have clear access to the belt system underneath the mower.

Step 2: Get Access to the Traction Drive Belt

The traction drive belt runs between the engine, idler pulleys, and transmission. Once the deck is removed, you can see the belt path more clearly.

Before taking off the old belt, take a photo of how the belt goes around each pulley. It can really help when putting everything back together.

Also, make sure you are looking at the correct belt. The traction drive belt and mower deck belt are different belts and follow different paths.

Step 3: Release the Traction Drive Belt Tension

On the L110, belt tension isn't released simply by pulling a spring-loaded tensioner arm away from the belt.

Press the brake pedal and engage the parking brake to release the tension from the traction drive belt. This gives the belt more room and makes it easier to remove.

Take your time here. Don't try to force the belt off a pulley because this can damage the belt or pulley.

Step 4: Remove the Traction Drive Belt From the Transmission

Start at the transmission side of the mower. Remove the bolt that holds the belt guide near the transmission input sheave. Move the guide out of the way and slide the old belt out of the transmission sheave.

Then feed the belt through the lower belt guide toward the front of the mower.

Keep the removed hardware somewhere safe. You will need it again when installing the new belt.

 Step 5: Remove the Traction Drive Belt From the Idler Pulleys

Next, remove the belt from the idler pulleys. The L110 traction belt system uses a V-idler and a flat idler. Loosen the nuts on the idlers as needed and remove the belt from them.

Take another look at the belt routing before completely pulling the old belt out. If you took a photo in Step 2, this is a good time to check it.

Step 6: Move the Traction Drive Belt Away From the Steering Shaft

The belt also runs through the steering shaft area, so you need to make enough room to remove it.

Before moving the steering parts, mark the position of the steering pinion and rack. This helps you put the steering system back in the same position later. Make sure the steering wheel and front wheels are pointing straight before removing the steering parts.

Remove the pinion nut and raise the steering shaft only enough to clear the belt. You do not need to remove more parts than necessary.

Step 7: Remove the Engine Sheave

Now move to the engine side of the belt. Remove the retaining bolt and washer from the engine double sheave. Remove the sheave and pull the old belt out.

At this point, the old traction drive belt should be completely removed.

Step 8: Check the Old Traction Drive Belt and Pulley System

Before installing the new belt, check the old one for signs of wear.

Look for cracks, frayed areas, glazing  or other damage. Also check the pulleys for dirt, damage or anything that could make the new belt wear out quickly.

If the old belt failed much earlier than expected, don't just install a new one. A damaged pulley or another problem in the belt system may cause the new belt to fail again.

Step 9: Compare the Old and New Traction Drive Belt

Put the new belt beside the old one to check if they are the same size and shape.

Using the wrong size belt is a common problem when changing a belt on a John Deere L110. It can lead to the belt slipping right away or wearing out much faster than it should.

If your old belt is badly damaged, also check the part number and mower model instead of relying only on its appearance.

Step 10: Install the New Traction Drive Belt

Installation is basically the reverse of removal.

First, put the new belt around the engine sheave and route it through the steering shaft area. Make sure the steering components are returned to their original position and aligned with the marks you made earlier.

Then route the belt around the flat idler and V-idler, following the same path as the old belt.

Check the photo you took before removing the old belt. The belt should sit correctly on each pulley and should not be twisted.

Step 11: Route the Traction Drive Belt Around the Transmission

Continue routing the belt toward the transmission. Put the belt onto the transmission input sheave and through the belt guides. Reinstall the belt guide and its hardware.

Check the whole belt path one more time. Make sure the belt is sitting in the correct position on every pulley before you release the parking brake.

Step 12: Check the Traction Drive Belt Before Reinstalling the Deck

Release the parking brake and press the brake pedal to check the belt. Make sure the belt is running correctly on all idlers and sheaves. If anything looks wrong, stop and correct it before putting the mower deck back on.

Once everything looks correct, reinstall the mower deck according to the owner's manual.

Troubleshooting Belt Problems and How to Fix Them

Even after you've successfully changed the belt, it is still helpful to know how to fix any problems that might continue.

Mower slips or doesn't move properly - this can happen if the belt isn't routed correctly, doesn't have the correct tension, or a pulley is worn. Check the belt path and the pulley condition.

Squeaking during operation can mean the belt isn't sitting correctly on a pulley. Or there is a problem with belt tension or pulley alignment. Stop the mower and check the belt instead of continuing to run it.

Premature cracking can happen because of high temperatures, friction, or a pulley that is damaged or not aligned correctly. If a new belt starts cracking quickly, check the whole belt system.

The belt slips off the pulleys can happen because of incorrect routing. First check the belt routing. Also inspect the idler pulleys, belt guides, and other parts that keep the belt in position.

If issues keep happening after you install the belt, check the diagram in the manual. Even a small mistake in the belt routing can keep damaging the new belt.

 How to change a traction drive belt on John Deere L110

Taking care of your belt regularly can help prevent your equipment from breaking down suddenly. After a few mowing sessions, check the belt for any cracks, frayed parts, or a shiny, smooth look.

Before you begin a belt replacement, check for signs of wear like slipping, squeaking, cracks, frayed parts, or other damage. If the belt is already broken, replace it before it causes you to stop mowing unexpectedly.

Take your time when you take off the old belt and put on the new one. Make sure everything is in the correct place and the belt follows the correct path around the pulleys.

If you need a replacement traction drive belt for your John Deere L110, check out UDC Parts to find a belt that fits your mower and get back to mowing without unnecessary delays.