Mowing Belt problem

[Zoker Harris]

Have a RC60-25 belly mower less than 30 hours use on the deck. It was a barn find brand new old stock. The belt went to dust ground very fine. Replaced belt it is very slowly being ground to dust. Local Kubota dealership mounted it and inspected the deck. No smoke or smell. There appears to be a whitish line developing on the top inside edge of belt. Ideas?

 

[Fuddy1952]

I'm no expert and you'll get better answers but I would first look at belt...all the pulleys for proper alignment, use a straightedge maybe. Everything should be in alignment. Then I'd remove it, checking every pulley for binding or needing lube.
Tension must be correct. Check all pulleys for a burr or bent.

 

[Grandad4]

The "whitish line" sounds like the cord in the belt is becoming exposed through wear... yes? Is the idler pulley loose or misaligned? Ditto any of the other pulleys? Are any of them bent or broken? Is the belt installed correctly?

 

[Zoker Harris]

Was wondering about tension there is an adjustment bolt just not sure what is correct, it is at factory setting I did not meddle with it. It is basically a brand new deck.

 

[Zoker Harris]

The deck is new about 30 hours on it. The white line appeared within an hour and more dust. Yes the belt is correctly installed old deck was my guide for replacement of the belt. What is the best way to check the idler pulley? How does one know if the tension is correct?

 

[Fuddy1952]

Google search! I found this easily...

Mower deck belt is being ground into dust

Rusty pulleys cause this. Look closely at your pulleys (all of them). Is the surface where the belt runs smooth and shiny or do you see little black spots or even patches of rust? This rust acts just like sandpaper on the belt. Rust is a problem mainly on the decks that have fully enclosed shielding. Water (from washing or rain) is not able to readily evaporate from all of the nooks and crannies down in there and rust is the result. Kubota changed their pulley material a few years ago to be more resistant to rust and that helps. However, the best thing you can do is to keep your deck dry. Resist the urge to wash your deck every time you mow.

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Mower deck belt is being shredded

The most common cause is a mis-aligned deck belt tension pulley arm. Normally the belt should ride in the center of this "flat" pulley. If the belt is riding at the top of the pulley it is a good indication that the pulley arm is either bent or the bushings are worn. You will have to take steps to get that pulley back in line. If you are having consistent trouble keeping the pulley arm in line, Kubota has a piece of "high tech" plastic available that serves as a spacer between the arm and the deck. It will help keep the arm in the correct position.*[http://johnsoncitykubota]1" X 4" X 5/16" thick plastic spacer.** Part # 70000-14638.

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Anti-Scalp Rollers are wearing out prematurely

All of those light weight plastic rollers that you see on your mower deck are designed to help the mower deck over the occasional high spot in your yard. They were never intended to continuously carry the weight of the mower deck. Make sure your deck is adjusted properly and that the anti-scalp roller brackets are adjusted (according to your owner's manual) to correspond to the selected mowing height.

 

[atsah]

Sounds like the deck wasn't leveled correctly.. Mine ate belts until I leveled it..

 

[Zoker Harris]

Leveled? What did you level?

 

[Zoker Harris]

Adjuster for pulleys?

 

[moship]

Perhaps it would help for the OP to post a couple pictures of the belt, so everyone can see first hand. Try to have enough resolution/detail so they are of value.