Deck belt to short on Husqvarna 1542XP

Hello I have a old YTH1542XP mower I have worked on the deck replacing parts, belts blades many times I have lots of roots sticking up in my lot and have hit various things over the years. I had to replace bent blades
last week and now I cannot seem to mount deck and get belt on the drive pulley. I have a belt and I went to a local parts store and my belt is same length as the replacement belt. I have not had this problem before I seem
to be around 2 inches short now. In past had put the belt over the drive pulley and then remounted the deck it was close enough to get the holes to match but not this time and I am at a loss to figure why. Thanks for any advice.
Morris354

Have you actually measure the belt to verify it is 97.5 inches OC? I have belts the wrong length labeled as the correct size.A&I was the worst at this which is why I am no longer one of their dealers.

I put the old belt on and it was same results belt was chewed up but not broken.

Measuring the belts including old one they are short by 2inches or more so I am going to try a longer belt but how did the old belt fit is beyond me.
Thanks for your reply

Could something have bent? You say you had to replace blades, I'm assuming they hit something. Could the deck have bent where a spindle mounts? The old belt didn't suddenly shrink 2 inches. Is there an idler pulley that lost its spring or is jammed somehow? I'm sure you have done this, but I'd check closely that everything is where it should be.

I measured this belt and it is over 96inches this is deck and a picture of how it looks under mower where it has to hook up at. I even tried to use a 2X4 to move deck back and I`m still short. I don`t believe anything is bent or has been moved. I mean why will even the belt that was on deck before not fit now? Thanks

Morris354 said:

I measured this belt and it is over 96inches this is deck and a picture of how it looks under mower where it has to hook up at. I even tried to use a 2X4 to move deck back and I`m still short. I don`t believe anything is bent or has been moved. I mean why will even the belt that was on deck before not fit now? Thanks

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With my retired mechanic neighbors help we managed to get the belt installed. He fashioned a wire to pull the tension pully forward to get enough slack to get belt installed. just cut my back yard mower cuts great and deck is quieter than it has been for a good while. Thanks to my good neighbor

Good news, thanks for the update.

How to avoid hitting roots and rocks in the yard. MOW HIGHER!

After seeing the deck I understand the problem these are one that the belt has to walked on one of the pulleys to getting the belt on unless the idler is pulled forward which a little much for single person to do. A little experience doesn't hurt either.