Most lawn mower belts cost $10 to $110, while repair shops usually charge $75 to $200 to replace a lawn mower belt. DIY belt replacement is much cheaper than pro prices.
Either way, the cost of lawn mower belt replacement depends on the type of mower and the type of belt. For example, a self-propelled drive belt (part only) costs $6 to $40, but a riding mower PTO belt (part only) costs $50 to $160. So, we deeply dive into the cost, including accurate prices and industry-insider advice.
We explain lawn mower belt replacement:
- Cost Summary
- Cost of Parts
- Repair Shop Fees
- Cost by Lawn Mower Type
- DIY Vs. Repair Shop Cost
- Money Saving Tips
- FAQ
Cost Summary: Lawn Mower Belt Replacement
| Type of belt replacement | Standard Price Range |
| Repair shop | $75 – $200 |
| DIY | $10 – $110 |
| Self-propelled mower | $6 – $75 |
| Riding mower | $20 – $250 |
We surveyed repair shops nationwide, researched leading mower belt retailers, and consulted with engine expert Jeff Yochum to provide accurate prices.
Lawn Mower Belt Cost
| Type of Belt | Standard Price Range |
| Deck belt | $30 – $110 |
| Drive belt | $6 – $60 |
| PTO belt | $50 – $160 |
Belts transfer engine power to the other parts of the mower. To replace a lawn mower belt, the only part you need is the belt. The three main types of lawn mower belts are deck belts, drive belts, and PTO belts.
Deck Belt Prices
Deck belts transfer the engine’s energy to the mower blades. Most deck belts cost $30 to $110. The cost of a deck belt is higher for wider decks, as shown in the table below.
| Deck Size | Standard Price Range |
| 30 – 42” | $30 – $45 |
| 48 – 52” | $50 – $75 |
| 60” | $100 – $110 |
Drive Belt Prices
Self-propelled drive belts are cheaper than riding mower transmission belts. Riding mowers with hydrostatic transmissions are the most expensive, as shown in the table below.
| Type of Drive | Standard Price Range |
| Self-propelled | $6 – $40 |
| Automatic | $25 – $40 |
| Hydrostatic | $40 – $60 |
PTO Belt Prices
PTO belts are the most expensive lawn mower belts. They are sometimes found on gas-powered zero-turn lawn mowers. Standard V-belts are the most affordable, and serpentine PTO belts are the most expensive.
| Belt Type | Standard Price Range |
| Standard V-belt | $50 – $90 |
| Cogged V-belt | $100 – $120 |
| Serpentine | $130 – $160 |
Lawn Mower Cost by V-belt Profile
Most lawn mower belts are standard v-belts. They’re marked with type codes that include a profile letter that indicates the belt’s top-width. Most mower belts have a Z, A, or B profile.
| V-Belt Profile | Top-width | Price |
| Z | 0.375 in. | $6 – $45 |
| A | 0.5 in. | $15 – $60 |
| B | 0.656 in. | $40 – $110 |
Repair Shop Fees
| Hourly Labor Fee | $55 – $135 / hour |
| Diagnostic Fee | $35 – $90 |
| Mower Transportation Fee | $30 – $100 |
If a repair shop replaces the lawn mower belt, you must pay an hourly labor fee. Additionally, expect to pay a transportation fee if you want the shop to pick up and drop off the mower. Most repair shops also have a diagnostic fee, but some don’t charge it if the customer purchases the repair.
Labor Cost: $55 to $135 Per Hour
“It takes less than one hour to change a mower belt,” explains engine expert Yochum. “However, most repair shops charge a one hour minimum labor fee.”
The cost of labor varies by location. Southern states enjoy the cheaper mower repair labor, and the northeastern states have the most expensive labor fees.
| Location | Typical hourly labor fee |
|---|---|
| Northeastern U.S. | $75 – $135 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $90 – $120 |
| Boston, MA | $90 – $135 |
| New York, NY | $100 – $135 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $75 – $110 |
| Midwestern U.S. | $75 – $115 |
| Chicago, IL | $75 – $115 |
| Detroit, MI | $80 – $110 |
| Wichita, KS | $75 – $90 |
| Southern U.S. | $55 – $110 |
| Austin, TX | $90 – $110 |
| Brunswick, GA | $55 – $80 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $55 – $90 |
| Lakeland, FL | $55 – $75 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $85 – $100 |
| Western U.S. | $65 – $120 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $65 – $85 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $65 – $85 |
| San Francisco, CA | $85 – $120 |
Transportation Cost: $30 to $100 Per Trip
The cost of transportation depends on where you live and how far the mower must be transported. Most shops charge at least $30.
Cost of Belt Replacement by Mower Type
| Type of lawn mower | Cost of a belt (part only) |
| Self-propelled | $6 – $40 |
| Rear-engine | $20 – $40 |
| Lawn tractor | $20 – $75 |
| Zero-turn | $30 – $110 |
Walk-behind mowers have the cheapest bests and zero-turn mower belts are the most expensive.
DIY Vs. Pro Belt Replacement Prices
| DIY | Pro | |
| Typical price | $10 – $110 | $75 – $200 |
| Self-propelled belt | $6 – $40 | $60 – $150 |
| Transmission belt | $25 – $60 | $80 – $195 |
| Deck belt | $30 – $110 | $85 – $235 |
| PTO belt | $50 – $160 | $110 – $295 |
Money saving tips
To save money on belt replacements, Yochum recommends the following:
- “DIY belt replacement saves you bookoo bucks.”
- “Buy the belts online to find the cheapest price.”
- “Ensure your lawn mower belts stay properly tensioned to lengthen the life of your belts.”
- “Inspect mower belts for damage and adequate tension monthly.”
FAQ: Lawn Mower Belt Cost
1. How do I know if my lawn mower belt is bad?
The signs of a bad mower belt include:
- Squealing noise while mowing
- Decreased cutting power
- Increased mower vibration
- Visible signs of damage:
- Cracks
- Burns
- Fraying
- Heavy wear
- Shiney edges
- Brittle appearance
2. How long should a belt last on a lawn mower?
Lawn mower belts usually last 2 to 4 years.
3. Is it cheaper to repair a belt or replace a lawn mower?
Repairing a lawn mower belt is typically much cheaper than replacing a lawn mower.
4. What’s the cheapest type of lawn mower belt?
A self-propelled drive belt is the cheaper mower belt.
5. What’s the most expensive lawn mower belt?
Serpentine PTO belts are the most expensive lawn mower belts.