I have an L118. I think the only difference is the deck size. Anyway, I did the same thing. I removed the transmission to change the oil (another story altogether). When I put it back, it chewed the belt as you describe. Look at the transmission pulley really well. There is a sheet metal gaurd with three or four wings that goes around it. I had the belt on the wrong side of one of the wings. It appeared OK at first glance. BTW, I have about 15 hrs on the frayed belt and all it OK so far.

Is this a hypothetical or is this another deal you've run across? I'm assuming it's hypothetical because the last 455 you found for $3,500 got away from you. Surely you've learned your lesson. But I'll play along. The BX1500 needs a mower deck, which I assume will run at least $1,300 (I have no idea; never priced one), so that gets you to $7,000. For $7,000, that's a nice tractor with a rear PTO and Cat 1 3-pt hitch. Sounds like a heckuva deal to me. But the 455 for $3,500, if it's relatively low hours and is in good shape, is also too good of a deal to pass up.

Gatorblades will still send the discharge to the right side of the deck. Pull off the mulch cover and see what comes out while you cut. Make sure the grass is dry when you mow.

Yep, the sledge hammer is about the only way to go with that. I had to do that job on a Craftsman deck, and my Porto-power auto body jack wouldn't push it, so i tookit off, turned it over, and about beat it to death with my BFH, but i got it done! That was last summer---and now, the guy called me about a week ago or so, and sez he hit the same rock and did it again! Guess i'd better get over there and fix it.