Mowing Call me an idiot - 261 Mower question

[BobT_770]

See the pics. One is looking down and to the left of the gearbox from the rear of the deck. Other pic is another angle on the sheaves in question, from the left side if you're standing behind the deck. How do you install the belt ? I wrestled with the old one and finally just cut it. It seems like the pulley with the brace on it is incorrect - the brace must've have been a bolt-on at one time, which allowed removal of the idler sheave . As it stands there appears no direct way to uninstall or install the belt.

Don't mind the rust - I am in process of cleaning it all up and putting new parts on it. I don't have that much of 5ac to mow so I skimped on what I know will be a fine deck when I'm done . Thanks !

 

[Cliff_Johns]

I'm not sure I understand your question, but the belt isn't intended to go on the outside of that pully, only on the inside. That is, the flat back of the belt rides against the pulley with the bracket. So, the belt goes on the outside of the two pulleys that have a v profile and on the inside (against the flat back of the belt) of the pulley that has the flat profile and the bracket.

Cliff

The chalice from the palace has the brew that is true and the flagon with the dragon . . .

 

[BobT_770]

The belt is routed between the two pulleys - the upper is a the center blade spindle and the one just about touching it is an idler - but it appears that the idler was intended to be removed to install the belt.

 

[JerryG]

Can you take the pulley off that has the zerk at the top? Then put the belt on and put it back together.

 

[BobT_770]

I suppose so - I will likely remove those anyways to clean/replace and facilitate more clean-up. Thanks!

 

[BTDT]

The pulley on the end of the arm is supposed to be able to rotate, with a spring attatched for tension, if I'm not mistaken. Looks like at some point, somebody just cut and welded it into place. Shouldn't be too hard to repair, at least you still have the belt routing tag. Good luck

Edit: Of course the pulley will rotate, what I intended to say is that the arm is supposed to be able to move, not be welded to the frame.

 

[BobT_770]

BTDT, the tensioner pulley (for which I got a new spring already) can be seen in one of my pics to the Right of the PTO shaft. My problem is when I reduce tension and remove the belt, I can get it off all the pulleys EXCEPT where the two pictured (and in the diagram) are in such close proximity that the belt cannot be fully removed. I find it hard to believe that I have to remove a pulley to replace the belt on a Deere deck! I appreciate the help - I just hope someone with a 261 deck can chime in.

 

[dslpwr]

You need to remove the bolt holding the pulley in place in order to get the belt back in place. Once you remove th pulley then you can put the belt on. I think you need 2 9/16 to get the bolt off. the one on the underside of the deck will be hard to find 9and probably all covered in clippings. Mine was worn away that the wrench wouldn't fit so I used a vice grips. I ended up replacing the bolt.

My deck was looking like that as well. I now mow with the sheilds off so they won't collect under the sheilds. (saftey police) I would mow sometimes when it was still dewy out and the grass would just accumulate under there.

 

[BTDT]

I would cut the arm holding the pulley that is too close and move it enough to allow belt to be put on, then weld into new position.

 

[bmaverick]

For anyone looking for the belt routing:



I was bored one night and made this in PowerPoint. Got tired looking for the belt routing every time I had to replace it.

Also, for anyone replacing the belt, follow the steps per the instructions. That Flat Idle Pulley for the most part needs to be removed to get the belt slipped through. Now, if someone replaced that pulley from a 5-1/4 to a 5 size, then the belt slips through just fine.

:2cents: