Belt for 48" deck

[ponytug]

As others have pointed out, the Kohler is a pressure switch, which is, in some respects, not as good as an oil level switch, since the level switch can kill the engine before the oil pressure drops.

Either way, it doesn't appear that Kohler ever envisioned running the engines at 45 degrees.

One could of course install a dry sump, dual oil pumps, swining oil pickups, and a variety of other options to enable high angle operation, but....

All the best,

Peter

The purpose of the low oil switch is to shut off the engine if low on oil. and this might occur on a certain slope. I don't know if the side that the switch is on makes a difference, although it could. They didn't say forward or aft, or sideways.

 

[ldabe]

Well, looks like I will be spending some time working on the middle spindle on the mower deck again. It has not even been 1 yr. since I replaced it last time.
The coupler "fingers" (two of them) broke off, and the "spider coupler" is partly broken too.
I have some pics, and will take some more when I get the parts to do the job.
Question?
Should I start a New Thread, or just continue in this one?

 

[MossRoad]

Just continue here, if you like. It keeps the data in one place.

 

[ponytug]

Dear Idabe,

Do you have a dial meter to check the alignment of the two halves? Most couplers (spiders) have a limited range of misalignment. To the extent that the two ends are not coaxial, it places more strain and wear on the coupler. We had a chiller that ate spiders, and finally ate both the motor and the pump bearings. When we re-installed it, we were more careful shimming it in place with a micrometer and it never ate another spider after that, at least as long as I was there.

You have my sympathies; I hate refixing a problem that I thought was fixed.

All the best,

Peter

Well, looks like I will be spending some time working on the middle spindle on the mower deck again. It has not even been 1 yr. since I replaced it last time.
The coupler "fingers" (two of them) broke off, and the "spider coupler" is partly broken too.
I have some pics, and will take some more when I get the parts to do the job.
Question?
Should I start a New Thread, or just continue in this one?

 

[ldabe]

Dear Idabe,

Do you have a dial meter to check the alignment of the two halves? Most couplers (spiders) have a limited range of misalignment. To the extent that the two ends are not coaxial, it places more strain and wear on the coupler. We had a chiller that ate spiders, and finally ate both the motor and the pump bearings. When we re-installed it, we were more careful shimming it in place with a micrometer and it never ate another spider after that, at least as long as I was there.

You have my sympathies; I hate refixing a problem that I thought was fixed.

All the best,

Peter

Peter, no I do not have a dial meter. When talking to keith from Power Trac he mentioned the same thing, about making sure it was in line. He said to check that big angle bracket it is bolted to with a carpenters square. So when I get the parts I will do that.
And yes it is frustrating. Especially since I do not abuse this attachment at all. I mostly have flat ground, cannot remember running into anything, and have not hit anything with the blades.
So, I am a little disappointed, but thanks for the heads up on the 'alignment'.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Hmmm... Now you guys got me thinking.

My motor vibated loose on my mower... Just bolted it back down with not a thought to aligning the spyder...

Hmmmmm...... Guess we will see if I am off when I get back up north

 

[MossRoad]

My PT425 60" deck burned up a belt a few years ago. I removed the covers and it was packed with grass clippings, twigs and such. I found several low spots in the belt where it had obviously stopped while the drive pulley spun on it and wore it out. I replaced the belt and left the cover off. Never had a problem since. However, the belts are now exposed. No different than my old Simplicity. But probably not safe. I think it is important to remove the covers and clean them out often.

 

[ponytug]

Dear MR,

How about a hinge? Or an expanded metal mesh for a cover, so you could see in, and perhaps hose out, without taking it off?

This from the guy who still needs to reinforce the deck on his brush hog...

All the best,

Peter

My PT425 60" deck burned up a belt a few years ago. I removed the covers and it was packed with grass clippings, twigs and such. I found several low spots in the belt where it had obviously stopped while the drive pulley spun on it and wore it out. I replaced the belt and left the cover off. Never had a problem since. However, the belts are now exposed. No different than my old Simplicity. But probably not safe. I think it is important to remove the covers and clean them out often.

 

[J_J]

Well, looks like I will be spending some time working on the middle spindle on the mower deck again. It has not even been 1 yr. since I replaced it last time.
The coupler "fingers" (two of them) broke off, and the "spider coupler" is partly broken too.
I have some pics, and will take some more when I get the parts to do the job.
Question?
Should I start a New Thread, or just continue in this one?

It sounds sorta like you were running full power to the mower deck, and hit something. That sudden shock would slow the blades considerable, but the hydraulic motor would be trying to turn at max power, and the weakest part let go. That part is not that expensive compared to a hydraulic motor.

 

[ldabe]

It sounds sorta like you were running full power to the mower deck, and hit something. That sudden shock would slow the blades considerable, but the hydraulic motor would be trying to turn at max power, and the weakest part let go. That part is not that expensive compared to a hydraulic motor.

It is always a possibility JJ, but I am pretty sure I never hit anything. I have fairly flat ground and a lot of trees, but they are all mature "pine trees" (old christmas tree farm). It is hard to get to the trunk of the tree without eating a bunch of needles, not to mention the scratches are not that pleasant either.
Since I don't have any scratches and have not had a needle sandwich in I don't know when, I will still have to stick with my story and say I did not hit anything.