Does deck need to be removed to replace drive belt if you have a jack

@akt this is what the manual says about how to replace it.

"TO REPLACE MOTION DRIVE BELT

Park the tractor on level surface. Engage parking brake For assistance, there is a belt installation guide decal on bottom side of left footrest.

BELT REMOVAL -

1, Remove mower (See "TO REMOVE MOWER" in this section of manual).

NOTE: Observe entire motion drive belt and position of all belt guides and keepers.

2, Remove belt from stationary idler and clutching idler°

3, Remove belt downward from around engine pulley,

4, Pull belt slack toward rear of tractor, Remove belt upwards from transaxle pulley by deflecting belt keepers.

5, Remove belt from center span keeper and pull belt away from tractor,

BELT INSTALLATION -

1. Carefully work new belt down between transaxle belt keepers and onto the input pulley.

2. Slide belt into the center span keeper..

3, Pull belt toward front of tractor and roll around the top groove of engine pulley,.

4. Install belt through stationary idler and clutching idler.

5, Make sure belt is in all pulley grooves and inside all belt guides and keepers.

6. Install mower (See "TO INSTALL MOWER" in this section of manual),.

There is a bit of a different way you could do it. Check this video.

Quick answer to your question. Yes.