Mower hassles again. Drive belt change

Hi there,
The drive belt has snapped on my mountfield 1430, ride on mower.

Been here before and had a local firm change it but on a limited budget right now so need to try myself. How tricky is it ?
Do I need to lift it somehow (probably lift onto logs) or can I put it on its side ?

Any tips or ideas ?

https://www.diyspareparts.com/parts/mountfield/diagrams/1430/05d6f7b9-0cc5-4328-bf3b/

I’ve done it on several Murray mowers with a hydrostatic transmission, and the parts diagram above looks very similar. Access is much easier if you remove the cutting deck (5 minute job) and you can then prop it up on a big block of wood or something.

Some limited disassembly will be required but I don’t recall anything scary. Everything else is pretty easy if you follow the diagram, though make sure the belt is running on the guide/tensioner pulleys and not over any of the anti-throw pillars because it’s not totally obvious at times.

Pretty sure you can do it without dropping the engine pulley though you might need to disconnect the steering rack or brake pedal.

Edit: it’s actually quite hard to snap a drive belt twice so may be worth checking things over while it’s apart. Avoid shock loading the gearbox (using the reverse portion of the gearbox as a brake, for example) and look for obvious wear in the drive or gearbox pulleys, which can overheat the belt.

Slightly different model (and i’ve not watched the vid) but is this of help?

Also changed lots of Murray belts and Bolens, belts rarely snap unless they are very worn? As above the steering rack normally needs to be removed.

Try and get an original drive belt and yes you will pay via the nose for it. Often mower fixers just use the nearest industrial belt and even a few millimetres on the length either way means they work badly.

Take your time and check your mower belt does not need to have a twist in it (a very few like bolens do)

The old belt was very worn with chunks missing, 10 year old mower, previous belt was changed about 5 years ago.

Ordered a new mountfield belt and going to start removing the deck today. Hopefully it won’t take too long to arrive, I can almost see the grass growing 😟
I’ll be lifting the front wheels with jacks to get access.
It’s a more complex task than I’d usually try something of a challenge….

The blade deck should come off without lifting the mower and it’ll be easier that way.

Be very very careful putting it on axle stands and find something big and solid to back them up. The whole front axle often pivots and everything else wobbles.