X320 mower belt keeps breaking.

[rloeb]

The forum won't let me post a link until I have three posts... You can search Youtube for "John Deere x300 mower belt breaking prematurely"

I found another way to fix it. May or may not work for you. First, make absolutely sure that the mower is leveled. This is important, because you're going to cut a chunk off the socket head screw (part M164280, shown as 26B on JD diagrams at XXXX://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/sidebyside/equipment/68603/referrer/navigation/pgId/2424937) --replace XXXX with the proper command.

That's the bolt that holds the mower up. Examine that bolt on the right hand side ("passenger" side) of the mower. You will likely find that the belt rubs against it and/or the nut that holds it in place. If so, you can cut the excess off. At the same time, make sure that the "lift link" (part M164279, shown as 27B on the previously referenced diagram) is placed so that the longer side faces up. (This will make sense when you disassemble the bracket.) With the longer part of the link facing up, it's actually possible to put the nut behind the bracket, which clears the belt. In order to tighten the nut, however, you have to prop up the right hand side of the mower deck to expose the nut. I did it with a piece of 2x4 on edge.

 

[Pibster]

I am almost ready to get rid of this X320. I have been using the cheap belts for a year now and they last for about a half season before breaking. Last week I decided to try the OEM belts again, $92 and it lasted 5.4 hours before it snapped. Pulleys are tight, blades are spinning freely and I cut the bolts off that hang down. It must be something else. I have lost all faith in JohnDeere products.

 

[Richard001]

I am almost ready to get rid of this X320. I have been using the cheap belts for a year now and they last for about a half season before breaking. Last week I decided to try the OEM belts again, $92 and it lasted 5.4 hours before it snapped. Pulleys are tight, blades are spinning freely and I cut the bolts off that hang down. It must be something else. I have lost all faith in JohnDeere products.

Pibster,

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-lawn-garden/425157-link-belt-x300-mower-deck-3.html

See post #25

See this from RickB:
Re: link belt on x300 mower deck and pto clutch operation?
Small, because a properly engineered and assembled belt drive and conventional electric clutch coupled with a high quality (Kevlar) belt will give hundreds of hours of trouble free service.

Richard

 

[radios1]

My LA145 PTO was always engaged at full speed, and I never had a belt break or squeal after hundreds of hours!!. I am 100% convinced that there is a design flaw in the X300 series that causes this problem. it seems JD was trying to put out a lawn tractor with seemingly impressive features, but then, trying to penny pinch on the quality..

 

[tomplum]

Some folks have a time with these belts breaking. I make sure they know about the MIR switch rather than cycling the deck switch constantly to back up. The new Accel deck doesn't seem to have this problem. The belt is thinner and 2 inches shorter. For only 79.99$ since I know ya priced....

 

[jgayman]

My LA145 PTO was always engaged at full speed, and I never had a belt break or squeal after hundreds of hours!!. I am 100% convinced that there is a design flaw in the X300 series that causes this problem. it seems JD was trying to put out a lawn tractor with seemingly impressive features, but then, trying to penny pinch on the quality..

That doesn't make sense. Just to confirm, are you talking about the belt from the PTO clutch to the deck or the deck belt that runs the spindle pulleys?

The X300 and X500 share the same frame, lift mechanism and same 48-inch and 54-inch mower decks. So if there was a design issue the X500 models would be having the same problem. I'm currently at 325 hrs on my X500 and both the primary and secondary deck belts still look perfect.

 

[Diggin It]

That doesn't make sense. Just to confirm, are you talking about the belt from the PTO clutch to the deck or the deck belt that runs the spindle pulleys?

The X300 and X500 share the same frame, lift mechanism and same 48-inch and 54-inch mower decks. So if there was a design issue the X500 models would be having the same problem. I'm currently at 325 hrs on my X500 and both the primary and secondary deck belts still look perfect.

My X300 only has one belt that routes around the PTO and the spindle pulleys. My Crapsman has the same set-up but can be engaged at full throttle with no slapping or bogging. Only thing I can figure is the routing or tension of the idler spring.

 

[radios1]

That doesn't make sense. Just to confirm, are you talking about the belt from the PTO clutch to the deck or the deck belt that runs the spindle pulleys?

The X300 and X500 share the same frame, lift mechanism and same 48-inch and 54-inch mower decks. So if there was a design issue the X500 models would be having the same problem. I'm currently at 325 hrs on my X500 and both the primary and secondary deck belts still look perfect.

mine only uses 1 belt to run the spindle pulleys. the other belt is for the wheel drive, so I only have 2 belts!..