Rear Finish Mower Finish mower keeps breaking belts

[Pooh_Bear]

Big Bee brand 60 inch finish mower
Early 49 8N tractor.

I have went thru 5 belts in the last couple of weeks.
I put one on yesterday and mowed for about 30 minutes.
Then the belt broke. Another $25 gone.

The pulleys are all in great shape.
No play in the bearings.
The tensioner springs are ok.
Everything looks lined up correctly.
The belt is put on correctly.

What else could it be.

I'm getting Gates belts from O'Reilly's Auto Parts.
B108 - 111 inches.

Thanks.

Pooh Bear

 

[RoyJackson]

That mower should have a tensioner or idler of some sort...probably at the widest expanse between two pulleys. If you have the mower's manual, it shoud tell you how much belt deflection you should get when properly adjusted (ballpark guess would be about ½" wth thumb pressure...again, a guess).
When those belts fail, do they snap (as if there being cut by something)? Do you see wear (as if they're dragging...might be too tight (see first paragraph))? Do you smell burning rubber before they fail?

You wrote you were getting Gates belts...are these OEM? If not, those belts may not have the cords that add strength, so try an OEM belt.

RFM belts aren't cheap, but they should last for years before replacement.

 

[Pooh_Bear]

It does have an idler for tensioning the belt.
The idler kinda leans just a little when everything is turning.
I'm gonna try tightening the bolt that the tensioner swivels on.
I usually get a year out of a belt. Then it is wore out.
These are breaking with no sign of wear.
A brand new belt lasted less than an hour yesterday. (Thursday).

A neighbor also suggested using OEM belts.
I'll have to look into getting one and trying it.
And I'll take another look at all the pulleys to make sure.

Pooh Bear

 

[Egon]

As stated it surely seems as though you are using belts of a lower standard than required.

 

[sweettractors]

My cost on OEM belt from Big Bee is more than you are paying at o'Rieleys? Ken Sweet

 

[Just Bill]

I agree that OEM is probably better but that desn't explain a belt that normally lasts a year now last hours.
Breaking with no signs of damage doesn't make sense either.
Belts stretch, wear, get cut, frayed and any combination of these .
But don't break without a reason, bearings, misalignment or sharp edge cutting it.

 

[sweettractors]

Try contacting the Mfgr. Tuesday. Here is the phone and Email for them. Ken Sweet


Darrell Harp Enterprises, Inc.
PO Box 140
819 4th Street NW
Red Bay, AL 35582
Phone: 256-356-4424
Fax: 256-356-8300
email: darrellh@bellsouth.net

 

[rambler]

My cost on OEM belt from Big Bee is more than you are paying at o'Rieleys? Ken Sweet

But, Big Bee does not have a belt making factory - they buy them from probably the same manufaturer as Orieley's and comany markup is the price difference. In many cases, on my combines & tractors, I find a good belt from a thrid party lasts longer than an OEM belt.....

Don't know in this case, just saying....

Something must be out of line or off kilter or running rough, or this issue wouldn't show up as it does.

Would be good to know if the belt (or bearing) is running hot, or if one edge is shiny, or so forth, after a 10-15 minute run. Something is off. Brother in Law had something like that, turned out a bearing was going out & the spindle was moving a bit.

--->Paul

 

[RickB]

But, Big Bee does not have a belt making factory - they buy them from probably the same manufaturer as Orieley's and comany markup is the price difference. In many cases, on my combines & tractors, I find a good belt from a thrid party lasts longer than an OEM belt.....

Don't know in this case, just saying....


--->Paul

The trick is to match the OEM QUALITY. Auto parts store belts are not typically made with Kevlar or other premuim materials unless a premuim quality belt is specified. And they are priced accordingly, although not necessarily to OEM price levels.

 

[Pooh_Bear]

I just bought a Stens True Blue belt off Amazon.com for $23.
That should beat the auto parts store belts.
The spindle pulleys are smooth and in great shape.
The spindle bears have no play in them and turn freely.
I keep them greased. (about every 3 mowings)
I replaced the big main pulley a couple of years back.
Ken had one drop shipped to me from Big Bee.
So it is fairly new and has no wear on it.
I replaced one stationary idler pulley. and the other one was in good shape.
Before I put another belt on I WILL look at those idler pulleys real close.
I'll see about tightening up the bolt the tensioner pivots on.
Might as well sharpen the blades while I'm at it.
Don't know anything else I can do.

I've given up mowing this time around.
Just gonna hook up the RC and knock the tops off.
Got some other stuff I need to cut anyway.

Pooh Bear