Head to the Deere site and download the proper belt routing diagram , proper routing can be difficult , done improperly can damage the new belt !

I printed that out before I started. It is on correctly, just the belt is not laying as flat as I'd like being kevlar or whatever the good ones are made of. So routing was not my question if you read it again. It is on properly otherwise.

We'd like to help , but really don't know what you mean. I'll assume deck belt rather than traction belt. Did you buy the JD or other spec belt, or something from the auto parts store? The tapered side fits in the drive pulley as well as the spindle pulleys. The belt simply gets tucked in between the guides and idlers with the wide side against the pulley. No twists anywhere. If you are unsure, take a pic from the top of the deck and post it.

I don't think it's a V belt...more of a cube shaped thing extruded into a belt. That is why it is hard to tell if it's twisted or not. I don't think the belt that broke was V...but I should call John Deere. It is their part number I think..but i got it on Ebay....so maybe not. It seems to fit other than look kind of twisty.

aha, if anybody is out there still....I heard one response that it IS a V belt, and that it needed to be stretched out on the ground first, to not twist like mine did! I simply started it and went from there with the diagram . Apparently that is WRONG WAY! Guess I'll take it off and start over. Thanx for your help!!

Yes , as Tom advised it is a tapered v belt configuration . Also the belt should be layed out on its side at room temperature for an hour to allow the sag or twist to settle .