Welcome to GTT. What does the belt diagram show? Sometimes the pivots wear and get loose. You may need to replace a worn bolt or weld up a hole that has worn too large. Good Luck, Rick

 

Have tried to put the belt on yet? Looks like about the same set up the deck under my QT has only it is shaft driven. I think when you get the right belt on that arm with the short spring will move away from the pulley far enough to clear. Just my guess by looking at it.

 

Here's a quick copy of the parts manual. I'll see if I have an owners manual later. Hope this helps.

 

There is a parts break down on MTD's web site as well by the looks of it - http://www.mtdparts.com/equipment/mtdparts/partfinder#/MTD_Merged_Data/14052_48%22_S.D._CENTER_MOUNT_MOWER_(S%2f%2fN_140520100101)/MOWER_ATTACHMENTS/07002280-A/070022800001 .

You can then take the part numbers and enter them in the search box at the top of the MTD site. Some of them will show an actual picture of the part # such as item # 29 1756596 http://www.mtdparts.com/equipment/mtdparts/1756596 which may give you a better idea of whether the parts on your deck are correct.

 

The tensioner bottom pulley is rubbing on the arm of the middle pulley where the spring attaches. Clearly, I have it assembled wrong. Where do the springs mount and how do I mount the tensioner and middle pulley arms to prevent rubbing?

Sorry to say I can't answer your question, but I do know Bolens mower belt routing is not always intuitive. .....Please consult the belt routing diagram in a manual.

A little tip to check belt routing: ....If a pulley has a v-groove, it contacts the inside of a belt. ....If a pulley has a flat surface, it rides against the outside of the belt.

 

The routing is easy. They put a very clear diagram on the mower dexk It is the spring routing and the actual arrangement of the tensioner arm.

 

Take a look at this. It shows the belt off to the side in the pic. It is the same setup as a 42" deck that I have on my Troy Bilt/ Bolens LTX16 hydro. I am looking for a 48" deck for mine. Can't seem to find one in the New England area.