Caroni Flail Belt Failure

[houser52]

This is houser52 with a belt update.

I'm still using the 45" kevlar belts that I installed last year. They weren't Gates belts but I can't remember which brand they were off the top of my head. All I can remember is that they were not that expensive.

I've mowed a lot since installing them which included some pretty big/thick weeds and grass. Checked those belts last week after mowing about 10-12 acres of pasture and they look as good as when I installed them last year. No glazing or discoloring anywhere that I could find.

 

[McCulley Heights]

Did I get the wrong belts? I got Gates Hi-Power II B43 belts.

I'm not mowing any tall grass (<1ft) or brush. Mowing in 1 low, and based on the speed chart, that's between 0.5-1.75 mph. I think my issue is more the roller on the tensioner. It appears pitted.

Thanks to everyone who has responded to my questions.

I was questioning if I got the right belts pertaining to if I got the kevlar belts. The packaging of the Gates Hi-Power II B43 belts doesn't mention kevlar anywhere on them and I don't see any mention of kevlar on the specs. when I try to search for them online. Gates website says they're flex bonded cords.

I've been mowing the grass to about 4-5 inches high. The roller and skids are set at the second lowest setting. It has been leaving some v grooves in the grass. Maybe that has contributed to the belt wear.

 

[leonz]

Thanks to everyone who has responded to my questions.

I was questioning if I got the right belts pertaining to if I got the kevlar belts. The packaging of the Gates Hi-Power II B43 belts doesn't mention kevlar anywhere on them and I don't see any mention of kevlar on the specs. when I try to search for them online. Gates website says they're flex bonded cords.
I've been mowing the grass to about 4-5 inches high. The roller and skids are set at the second lowest setting. It has been leaving some v grooves in the grass. Maybe that has contributed to the belt wear.

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You have the right V belts, The factory supplied belts have failed prematurely for some of the caroni flail mower users.

You need to make sure the mower is level adjusting it with the top link and making sure the lower links do not sink by gravity by closing the needle valve under the seat or locking the draft control handle with the locking knob if it has that method of securing the draft control position.

 

[hunt4570]

Well I just got in this conversation, I've had my Caroni TM1900 for about 4 years now. Just cooked my belts for the first time and need to replace. Amazon has them for $10.51 each (gates B43 High power). I see no reference to Kevlar, nor anyway to order a set of 3 with the same lot#. Still good to go?

 

[Reg]

I got my Caroni mower soon after this thread started.
It had fair use for a while but fell idle maybe 7 years ago.
I got it fired up this Spring and it lasted until the first HARD GOING spot, I probably heard belt squeal and smelled burning,,, anyway it stopped with one burned through and two flipped off the pulleys due to bit of the broken one.

OK, no problem they had served well and had been neglected.
I got generic auto belts from Rock auto, I was in no hurry so the freight delay didn't bother me.
They fit fine and have been working well since.

B43 ? I think so.

 

[Reg]

======================================================================



You have the right V belts, The factory supplied belts have failed prematurely for some of the caroni flail mower users.

You need to make sure the mower is level adjusting it with the top link and making sure the lower links do not sink by gravity by closing the needle valve under the seat or locking the draft control handle with the locking knob if it has that method of securing the draft control position.

A point on that;
SOME hydraulic top links don't extend far enough (on SOME tractors, despite the "standardization" of the 3 pt spec) and even if they do they can leak down a bit after a few hours of mowing.
I prefer to use a hard top link in the slot so that it "rides" minor undulations - and to adjust my cutting height with the position control.

 

[leonz]

Well I just got in this conversation, I've had my Caroni TM1900 for about 4 years now. Just cooked my belts for the first time and need to replace. Amazon has them for $10.51 each (gates B43 High power). I see no reference to Kevlar, nor anyway to order a set of 3 with the same lot#. Still good to go?

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Hello and good morning hunt4570,

If they cannot ship these V belts with the same lot number all bets are off.
Usually they-being amazon also provide the name of the reseller that will ship
the belts to you and could ask to be sure that they send you V belts with the
same lot number.

As long as you follow exactly how they need to be adjusted WHEN COLD and
do not drive too fast when mowing deep thick brush
("meaning you hear a vacuum cleaner within ten feet of you") you will be fine.

I would strongly suggest that you invest in a Gates V belt tension gauge
and follow the instructions for the B43 V belts for the break in period and
and in so doing you will have a very handy essentially indispensable
tool to use when adjusting the V belts.


They are available from amazon; Gates V belt Tension Tester model #91107 $11.87 + tax and freight

The folks at rock auto have them for 8.88 +tax and freight. It cannot hurt to see how the rock auto price for
the Gates B43 belts compares to the amazon price as long as you are looking and you can always ask to them
to be sure the three V belts have the same lot number.

Happy mowing.

 

[Reg]

The lot number is NOT an issue.
Gates B43 is Gates B43 is Gates B43 - - what day or shift they were made on or at which plant is of no concern, they are consistent.
There is no need for "matched sets" here, this is just a 3 belt pulley as have been used for well over a hundred years.

 

[hunt4570]

The lot number is NOT an issue.
Gates B43 is Gates B43 is Gates B43 - - what day or shift they were made on or at which plant is of no concern, they are consistent.
There is no need for "matched sets" here, this is just a 3 belt pulley as have been used for well over a hundred years.

Yeah kinda my thoughts as well, I ordered three and they should be here Friday. Heck the stock ones that came with the mower lasted about 4 years and maybe 10-20 hours a year.. I think I'll be fine. If these last that long and only cost 33 bucks to replace I'll be fine and dandy with the whole thing!

 

[hunt4570]

=======================================================================================


Hello and good morning hunt4570,

If they cannot ship these V belts with the same lot number all bets are off.
Usually they-being amazon also provide the name of the reseller that will ship
the belts to you and could ask to be sure that they send you V belts with the
same lot number.

As long as you follow exactly how they need to be adjusted WHEN COLD and
do not drive too fast when mowing deep thick brush
("meaning you hear a vacuum cleaner within ten feet of you") you will be fine.

I would strongly suggest that you invest in a Gates V belt tension gauge
and follow the instructions for the B43 V belts for the break in period and
and in so doing you will have a very handy essentially indispensable
tool to use when adjusting the V belts.


They are available from amazon; Gates V belt Tension Tester model #91107 $11.87 + tax and freight

The folks at rock auto have them for 8.88 +tax and freight. It cannot hurt to see how the rock auto price for
the Gates B43 belts compares to the amazon price as long as you are looking and you can always ask to them
to be sure the three V belts have the same lot number.

Happy mowing.

I'm thinking QC should be good enough with these belts. Its not like buying ammo or something, lot numbers are a bit more important there but anymore I load my own so it doesn't matter anyway on accuracy rounds. ANYWAY, I ordered three belts, should be here Friday , haven't looked at my Caroni manual yet to see what they say about changing them but it is just 3 belts on three pulleys with a common tensioner.. how complicated can it be?
I do have a belt tension checker, not sure it will work on this application but it does fine on my Harley and my sawmill!