You first need to set the mower deck setting at high noon to read "blank". More or less between the 1" and 3.5" setting. Then pull deck release arm to allow for the deck to drop to the ground. Once locked into the down position, you need to release the U locks(that are spring loaded) located on the back half, and on both sides of the mower deck. This will allow for the arms that you have unlocked to be retracted up for clearance later. After that you must release the tension bar for the belt pulleys located on top of mower deck, left hand side, and remove the belt connected to the engine pulley located towards the front. After that, you must unlatch the front U-bar from the mower deck. After this is completed. Pull the mower Deck ARM back up, to the position normal for traveling. This will give you clearance to slide the mower deck out from the right side (chute side).
How do I get it out
bladebelt diagram for john deere stx38 yellow deck
Is your STX 38 a black deck or yellow mower deck color?? Bob Lituri lituri54@aol.com
Check with your John Deere dealer. No, not Home Depot or Lowe's but an actual business that works on and sells John Deere mowers.
On the deck
How do you change a mower deck belt on a John Deere L130?Read more: How_do_you_change_a_mower_deck_belt_on_a_John_Deere_L130
38'' deck
on the mower deck
anonymously
remove deck...remove pto clutch and both idler pulleys and u should be able to put on
The John Deere 48 mower deck belt pattern diagram can be obtained from most John Deere dealerships. Many times when you purchase the belt the parts store will give you a belt pattern diagram.
Check out crigby's John Deere deck page. It shows the belt routings for most of the JD mowers. See the link below.
Remove the deck from the tractor, then remove both blades. They can be sharpened using a grinder. If you don't have a grinder, then there are shops out there that can sharpen them for you (try asking at a shop that sharpens chainsaw chains).