Mowing Mid Mount Mower Belt

[Skip G]

Hi all
Have a 60" MMM for my BX2200. Removed and serviced it for winter storage.
According to the manual, the belt should be loosened for winter storage.
Is this necessary ?
Another dumb question...
What's the best way to remove it?
I tried for a few minutes, but couldn't seem to get the idler pulley to move to get the slack necessary.

 

[MrJimi]

Look for that magic spring that puts tension on the idler pully
Jim

 

[Skip G]

Thanks, yes saw the spring. I guess just remove one end ?

 

[MrJimi]

Remember this! That spring has lots of tension on it and make a drawing before you take it apart.
Jim

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

What I do is pull up on the belt on the pully as I am slowly turn it and walk it off the pully. I then repeat the same process in the spring. The spring has a lot of tension and can do some damage, so BE CAREFULL, wear gloves and and safety glasses. Same belt since 2002!

 

[RonR]

Guess I need to do something--I haven't taken my MMM belt off since 2003 when it was new, or loosened the belt............

ron

 

[Barnboy]

I did not remove my belt last year but was thinking about it this year. I'm sure Kubota is really proud of those belts.

 

[chucko]

What is "winter storage"

 

[MOPAULY]

Just took my deck off tonight for the first time, in prep for winter. Haven't taken the belt off but plan to ease the tension on it. I wish the deck on my old Toro came off as easy as the Kubota.

 

[rdsaustintx]

I can't remember *exactly* how I do it, but I found I could use some part on the deck as a fulcrum and pry against the pulley arm to unload the belt pretty easy. Have slipped it on/off the last couple of winters no problem. We're still mowing down here...

Russell in Texas

 

[Skip G]

Just took my deck off tonight for the first time, in prep for winter. Haven't taken the belt off but plan to ease the tension on it. I wish the deck on my old Toro came off as easy as the Kubota.

I've had my deck off once before.
It's easier to take off than put on. That shaft is a son of a gun to line up and get back on. I wonder if there are any tricks to getting it to go back together easier.

 

[rixtory]

What I do is pull up on the belt on the pully as I am slowly turn it and walk it off the pully. I then repeat the same process in the spring. The spring has a lot of tension and can do some damage, so BE CAREFULL, wear gloves and and safety glasses. Same belt since 2002!

Id also add "tie a piece of carpet or a towel around your head for the first time the lockjaws or vice grips slip off the spring as you in the forehead as you are trying to pull the end of the spring into the little hole.

 

[Volfandt]

The easiest way to reinstall the MMM is to hookup the PTO shaft 1st then mount the MMM to the tractor . This way you can move the MMM around inorder to get the most room possible.
Make sure you lock the collar back on the shaft and it will slide on the pto much easier.
It gets much easier with practice

Volfandt

 

[SeymourBota]

I found that a large screwdriver prying from between the idler pulley and spring mount supplied enough leverage to remove the belt- reinstalling it will be a slightly different process but I don't have to worry about that until Spring!!

I, too, did not loosen my belt for the first 3 years and am still on the original, but this is only because I did buy a spare and have it handy!!

At 500 hours I also just did my first gear oil change in the mower gearbox that was "mandatory" at 50 hours!!!

 

[mjarrels]

I learned the trick for connecting that heavy spring from someone here is to use a rope to pull it. No way was I able to connect just using arms... needed to really get some pulling power using legs.

mark

 

[TheKid]

Don't know if it will work the same for a 60" but here's a couple of pictures of how I do it on my 54" deck.

 

[Skip G]

This is such a great site to get answers.
I'm glad I asked the question and wasn't the only one having trouble getting that belt off.

 

[ByronBob]

I've kept my belt on the whole time. It doesn't seem to be worn or slipping. Has anyone left it on and had it wear out because they did that?

I realize this belt is like $100 so it is a concern. I don't have a money tree or anything like that.

 

[fishpick]

What is "winter storage"

You are makin me a hater...

 

[milkman]

I've kept my belt on the whole time. It doesn't seem to be worn or slipping. Has anyone left it on and had it wear out because they did that?

I realize this belt is like $100 so it is a concern. I don't have a money tree or anything like that.

No money tree here either, and mine has been on since new July '01 and I never take it loose either, maybe it would just last forever if I did.