I have just been given this mountfield sp 534 petrol mower and the drive belt is missing, can anyone please tell me how and where the belt should go. Also there is one part that came with it and I don't know what it is, its as follows: small black plastic cap with a bar and spring attached and a big washer held on with a locknut.

gary, July 2009

I need one of those 'spare' pieces! I've sheared the nut off whilst unscrewing it. Can't seem to find anywhere that stocks the 'L' shaped threaded shaft. Any ideas?

Steve Hayes, August 2009

The drive belt runs between the engine crankshaft and a pulley on the top of the gearbox. Access is gained by removing the plastic belt cover under the deck.

The 'spare' piece you mention is part of the belt tensioner mechanism. It will have become loose and fallen off when tension on the belt was lost (when the original broke or whatever). The bar is inserted through a hole in the back of the mower, and hooks into a hole in the gearbox casing. The length of the bar is controlled by the locknut - this pivots the gearbox and tentions the belt.

phil_saunders(a)bigfoot.com

Phil Saunders, July 2009