Caroni Flail Belt Failure

[leonz]

Yet another data point.

Suffered catastrophic belt failure (all three) yesterday. All of them twisted, melted, shredded and snapped. Significant melted/hardened residue on the tensioner. Not sure of exact hours, but I've only a single 50 hour engine oil change since purchasing the unit last year, and mowing is the minority of my use. Probably less than 20 hours on the Caroni.

These were the original belts, and mowing conditions were far from severe - I've mowed through much taller/wetter material with ease. Mostly dry field grass, max 24" height, most much lower.

On the "perhaps I share some responsibility" front - while I've shot a couple pumps of grease in each zerk every time used and kept the gearbox full, I've never had the belt cover off to inspect or adjust tension. Given that all three belts were destroyed, I can't say where things were prior to failure. Also, I did notice while mowing that things seemed a bit off for 10 minutes or so prior to failure...there was no belt squeal I could hear, but it did seem to be down on cutting power a bit. The m0wer was lugging somewhat in grass/conditions that I recall it having zero issues with before.

No obvious problems upon taking things apart - everything spins freely, no excess grease residue, etc.

New belts on the way - unsure of the brand, but found some for $27 delivered via Amazon. Everywhere local wants $17+ each, Gates or otherwise.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


I hope the curse of the "A" boats has not moved inland!!!!!!!!!


I think you had a loose belt situation which melted the V-belts due to being
loose and having a poor grip on the pulleys.


The V-belt snubber would have been of no help because it is tensioned manually.

The green kevlar belts of this size were under ten bucks the last time I bought one for
my Mathews Co. Lawn Genie at NAPA.

Be extra carefull with the new belts and be sure that they are of the same lot number before
you install them because each lot number is different in that each run of man made nylon thread
is different.

 

[IslandTractor]

Yet another data point.

Suffered catastrophic belt failure (all three) yesterday. All of them twisted, melted, shredded and snapped. Significant melted/hardened residue on the tensioner. Not sure of exact hours, but I've only a single 50 hour engine oil change since purchasing the unit last year, and mowing is the minority of my use. Probably less than 20 hours on the Caroni.

These were the original belts, and mowing conditions were far from severe - I've mowed through much taller/wetter material with ease. Mostly dry field grass, max 24" height, most much lower.

On the "perhaps I share some responsibility" front - while I've shot a couple pumps of grease in each zerk every time used and kept the gearbox full, I've never had the belt cover off to inspect or adjust tension. Given that all three belts were destroyed, I can't say where things were prior to failure. Also, I did notice while mowing that things seemed a bit off for 10 minutes or so prior to failure...there was no belt squeal I could hear, but it did seem to be down on cutting power a bit. The m0wer was lugging somewhat in grass/conditions that I recall it having zero issues with before.

No obvious problems upon taking things apart - everything spins freely, no excess grease residue, etc.

New belts on the way - unsure of the brand, but found some for $27 delivered via Amazon. Everywhere local wants $17+ each, Gates or otherwise.

A lot of us had fairly early belt failure but my replacement set of Gates belts have lasted at least 3 or 4 seasons now without incident. I did tighten the tension as much as I could after the initial failure. Hard to get the tension much beyond half inch deflection.

 

[King of the Road]

Reporting in with a catastrophic belt failure on my 73" Caroni flail.

I had 16 hours on the tractor and 10 hours or so on the flail.

I hope to find some belts locally in the morning so I can mow all day tomorrow.

Thanks to the posters in this thread with all the info.

 

[leonz]

I just saw this now-


Kevlar belts at TSC or NAPA BE SURE THE BELTS WITH THE SAME LOT NUMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kaman bearing for two Web V Belts

 

[King of the Road]

Ordered 6 belts from here: B43 V-Belt - $3.55

$3.55 each.

Six belts plus shipping($11.50 for UPS Ground) was $32.80.

Couldn't find any local on a Sunday so I'll roll the dice on some cheapies. When I smoke one set I'll order some Gates belts for a back up.

 

[Arc weld]

The proper belt probably costs more than all 6 of the cheap belts. You want to run a flail mower with a $3.55 belt? :duh:

 

[IslandTractor]

The proper belt probably costs more than all 6 of the cheap belts. You want to run a flail mower with a $3.55 belt? :duh:

That's probably the same quality as the factory supplies. Odd, because the mower is not cheaply made but almost everyone burns up the original set of belts in the first season or so.

 

[joemd11]

Anyone have the correct # for the Gates belt. I have about 50 hours on my Caroni and the belt is fine so far but I want to have a spare.

 

[King of the Road]

The proper belt probably costs more than all 6 of the cheap belts. You want to run a flail mower with a $3.55 belt? :duh:

Did you read what I posted?

No local belts available on a Sunday.

I ordered some cheapies to try.

I'll use the first set, and when they break I'll install the second set and order a set of Gates to have on hand.

If the cheapies work I win.

If they don't, I gambled $3.55 per belt.

 

[King of the Road]

Anyone have the correct # for the Gates belt. I have about 50 hours on my Caroni and the belt is fine so far but I want to have a spare.

B43. You need three of them.