914A Threw Belt

MikePA · Jun 1, 2002

A stick got in on one of the pulleys and managed to cause the belt to slip off my 914A mmm deck /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif. It didn't come the whole way off, but it sure did bring my mowing to a stop /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif, so I managed to get it re-routed correctly except for the last pulley. The 914A manual indicates you have to remove the mower from the tractor to replace the belt. Three questions...

1. Do I have to remove the mower from the tractor to get the belt around the last pulley?
2. Which pulley should I put the belt around last?
3. Any tips for getting the belt back on, or do I just loosen the spring adjustment rod?

dass · Jun 2, 2002

Mike, if it's any help,I can take the cover off mine and check.You're right ,there's not much in the manual ! I can't figure out how much to grease the things, can't see where the stuff is going.No way to know if there's too much or not enough ! A real PAIN. Dass

MikePA · Jun 2, 2002

I got the belt back on by following the new belt installation steps. Then I cleaned the entire area on the top of the deck, then I greased the spindles. You're right, the only way to see if the spindles are full is to remove the covers. One of the design criteria of the top of the deck seems to have been to create the most nooks and crannys which collect grass, dirt, mud twigs, etc. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif. What a mess to clean up.

Boomerboy · Jun 4, 2002

MikePA,
I threw a belt once on my 914A MMM (TC29D). I replaced it OK while the deck was still on the tractor, but had to remove the gear box mounting bolts to do it. In retrospect, removing the deck would have been easier!

MikePA · Jun 4, 2002

<font color=blue>but had to remove the gear box mounting bolts to do it.</font color=blue>
I had the same problem getting the belt back on underneath the guard near the gear box. I used a wide blade screw driver in my left hand and pulled on the belt with my right hand to 'encourage' the belt back into the pulley. There sure wasn't a lot of room to work there, with the driveshaft coming in the back. I've also decided on a regular cleaning of the top of the deck, removing the guards, getting all the debris out of there, etc. It really seems like a 'dirt magnet'. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

webbmeister · Jun 8, 2002

Dang! This happened to me today! I too had to undo the gear box to get things back in place - thank heavens for the ratchet set in the tool box! I agree that the 914A is a dirt MAGNET! Also today, another blade thrown. This time, though, from hitting a chunk of limb (tree!) hidden in the grass. Should they come off so easily?

Well, I feel almost like a real tractor guy now, I did a repair in the field on a sharp part of the tractor. I didn't get squashed, and I still have all my fingers, thumbs, and toes. I *did* get really dirty though!

Webbmeister - half way to the 50 hour service.

MikePA · Jun 8, 2002

I've hit some hidden debris as well, but I've never thrown a blade. That would make me wonder if they were tightened to specs.

hazmat · Jun 9, 2002

Check the torque on your blade bolts. They shouldn't be coming off. If you hit an object, I'd expect you to dent, bend, or maybe even break the blade, but not for it to come loose. I am assuming that the bolt is missing and not broken.

My 914 is due in this week. Hope I don't have to charm the belt-snake anytime soon.

Happy tractoring.

dass · Jun 11, 2002

Mike, when you put the cover back on, use weather strip foam [the thin type] to seal around the outer edge. Will help keep the inside clean and seal any gaps ! dass