How to Install a Transmission Drive Belt on a John Deere Sabre 

Having just purchased an old John Deere Sabre, I found your videos are very well done and informative. It's heartening to see that you haven't let your disability slow you down. Great video!

I did this 3x before and after watching this, it made it the easiest simplest change over, Thanks.

This is the single most helpful youtube video in the history of youtube videos! Right down to the tools! Wonderful job- thank you. My belt finally died after 22 years... YES! 22 years! (Weekly mowing plus light snowplowing!) Two quick follow-up tips to offer: 1. I didn't have a small chisel like you did, so I used an extended screwdriver drill bit to wedge against that pulley. 2. This one is probably big- how to relieve the pressure on that spring loaded pulley if your belt breaks and you don't have the old one to work with. This was my situation. What I did was route the NEW belt in place, but I looped it around the shaft ONLY on the front pulley (not the pulley itself). Like you explained, the new belt is tighter- doing this gave me enough leverage that I could yank pull that spring-loaded pulley (as you show in the video) far enough to wedge something in. I then proceeded along with your video. Thanks again!

Thank you for your support and helping me fix my old JD tractor it was so helpful to fix my machine. Not to many of this Sabre models left. Even the owner manual did help me. But you saved me some money and time since the lawn shop have a four to five weeks lead time.

I’m a pretty handy guy, but I got a Telya. Your video was unbelievable the way you explain things the way you had video footage. I have never done this procedure before and it was exactly how you said it. Thank you so much for posting it. I will definitely tune in the next time I have any other issues with my mower.

I’ve owned my saber for two years. I’m the type that doesn’t like to do something without clear instructions. My mower DESPERATELY needed belts even when I bought it. But they’ve held on for two years. I can finally replace all the belts you’re a life saver

Followed your instructions, worked like a champ. The mower is 26 years old, now runs like a top! Thanks for a well-done video!!!

WOW! And there is people the have both hands and can’t do shit and complain about everything all the time! You are an inspiration!! Keep the videos coming!! I make sure I share them!

I have a Sabre 1538 Gear ( not hydrostatic, but the 5 speed). I took my deck off to change blades & clean it good & noticed my drive belt was cracked & running on the outer skin with 1/2 & 1 inch chunks missing. I am glad I didn't just cut it off to make removal easier because i never would have known about taking off the steering linkage. I actually thought I did something wrong at first. The belt size is 105.7 inches. The only thing I could find locally was 105.75,that .05 was enough to cause it to slip. You can loosen the pulley closest to the transmission & move it back to add a little more tension. It's a trial & error thing as I first moved it a small 1/4 inch & she jumped when I released the clutch, so I moved it forward slightly & as good as new. Also at around your 10:37 mark my belt goes on the outside of that shaft, closer to the switch to ride straight.

Thank you again, Brad for sharing these very instructive videos. Especially this model as a lot of use still enjoy our older JD mowers. Your spirit is enlightening and an inspiration to all. 👍

Great video. I just got a used Sabre and it needs new belts. Thanks for this.

By far this is the best video I have seen on utube and not just the video , but he explains in detail , he doesn’t just skim over things . I was having trouble getting the parking brake back together , he even tells you it most likely will fall out of its placement, which it does and shows you what hole it goes into , such clear instructions, Thankyou your the best .

Hey man. I appreciate your video alot. Helped me out tons. My belt broke. so at this point I have it broken down, ready to go and waiting on the belt to arrive, and hopeing it's the right size. But, again. I want to thank you for your time that you took to make this video.

That was very helpful. I love how you explain every little detail. Only thing is, you had not videoed taking that rod off that holds the belt in place on that one pulley, and you did not reconnect it when you finished. I hope you remembered it before you dropped the mower and started using it. You are an awesome mechanic and very inspiring. True example of my favorite scripture. Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Thank you for sharing this video to taking the guess work out for others having to do this project, I will be doing this as soon as my parts come in. I will be changing both drive and deck belts as well as blades. Mine is a 46" cut so I am sure it may be a little different but I hope not too much. God bless you.

I appreciate you making this video. I came upon the yard find and beginning to bring it back to life. I wish I would have seen your video on the deck removal because I had removed a few to many parts. So now I have to add those back to my deck prior to reinstalling. I have the same engine size as your video, so I am going to grab the same part #

Great video and I have a Scott’s s1642 and basically the same undercarriage and routing of drive belt. You can actually route the belt around ( up and over ) the main pulley by looping it up and over without having to take the pulley off / for those without torque / air driven wrench’s and save one step. 👍

Thank you! Deck is off waiting for new belt.Video very well done!

This was an incredibly educational how-to video for us Sabre mower owners. Exceptionally well done! For your next video, can you do something on how we can convince our wives on the need for an engine hoist?

Great job, that hoist sure makes a difference! 👍👍

Thanks a lot man. This is a life saver tutorial.

A very good instructional video again, very helpful. Thanks.

Love this video I just recently became one hand less I feel so useless but I just did mine thank you so much you’re an inspiration

Man, you are awesome! This helped me so much and saved me a lot of time and frustration.

nice job Johnson very helpful

Thank you So very much for this vid. It saved my life!! Thanks Again!!

Thanks for the great video!

Holy crap ,,lol Great video ,just have to find the correct belt

Very descriptive, thanks mate...

Awesome videos thank you so much

i think you can slide the new black pulley back to tension the belt tighter

Great informative video. What is the part number for that belt

You do a grate job with the vids. That’s a pretty busy job filming an working at the same time with three hands. Lol!. I also was born with a birth defect on my left hand ( I was born in 1956) Dr managed to save my thumb,a short pointer finger ,and a little finger. There’s not much that I can’t do, except flip someone off with my left hand. I’m fixing up my old L120 so I can sell it, I bought a new S220 . I hope it lasts as long as my old L120. 17 years old and never had the drive belt changed . 650 hrs on it.

i was looking into a sabre 18hp on the weekend. It engages the deck belt when the deck is high.... when i lower the deck to notch 2 for cutting it basically dies off. As well, when i pull the electric pto, i do not hear that crisp sound similar to that of my dads john deere lx 178. I assume a worn belt.... but not sure

Need to ask a question? Purchased a spare engine for my tractor which is a 17 hp briggs & Stratton engine. And planning to install a 19 hp Briggs Stratton engine. The issue I have is the wiring set up. The new engine has a electronic module but the old engine doesn’t. I don’t know how to wire it. Could you offer some advice?

I have a 15.5/38 is that the same belt? My old belt is shredded but you can see where it broke when I measured it it was 94 7/8 but who knows what it really was and every time I look up drive belt they can’t stop mentioning the word deck

My 5 speed saber does not move. It sounds like the transmission is grinding trying to move. I was wondering if you know where I could buy a new transmission for it.

I think I messed up my e140 today. A couple of months ago I accidentally rest my foot on the emergency brake and with my other foot on the drive pedal. Then belt started smoking, because I pressed further on the drive because I thought I was stuck on something. Then I realized what I did a little to late. The belt seemed fine, it wore it down a little, but i didn't think it would hurt it. Now today I think the clutch went out, because the belt might have been to loose from the wear. It started smoking like heck, and wouldn't go forward or reverse. Ugh! I'm 48yrs old, but I've never had a hydrostatic mower, or a riding more of my own until now. Every mower I've ever even driven or used was well over 30 and 40 years old. Grandpa's Cub Cadet was a 1970 model, and it ran like a top. Just had to rebuild the Kohler motor, and that was it. Any suggestions? Do you think the clutch or Hydrostatic transmission is out? Sorry for the long story, it just really has me heated that this happened.

Can you make a video on D140 Transmission Control Lever Replacement cause mine broke and I don’t know how to remove the pin to put new one on . The part that. I’m replacing is for a John Deere d140 part number M810140. Please I enjoy your videos your very detailed and you explain stuff perfectly please. Make a video cause I can’t find one anywhere on net

what about a manual 5 + rev just went won't engage shifter does nothing. stuck in the woods help. Sabre 14.5 38 u got me out of other jams so thanks!

How do you set the tension for this belt. I got a new belt put on,.,used it once and now tension is loose and belt is floppy....rider won't move hardly at all....help

Does anyone have an idea of what part can replace a broken tensioner pulley on the sabre 1438gs. I got the mower second hand and have not seen the actual part to use as a reference. I found a few aftermarket parts but they say does not fit deck. That does sound ideal and I have no idea how to make that work as it's a part attached to the deck. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I can send a picture of serial and model tag for reference if needed.

What size belt did you use? I couldn't find on the internet what the correct size was.

What size belt did you put on?

Most gen Xers couldn't do this with 10 hands. So good on you.

Is it the same belt for the sabre 1538 model (15.5/38H)