Eatin' belts

[mfreund]

Look and see if the bottoms of the belt pulleys (belt groove) could have rust that could wear the belt. Check to see if the tensioner is worn causing the belt to run crooked in the pulleys. The only other thing is belt alignment.

 

[Hammsman]

One remote possibility if you are mowing tall heavy wet grass and the belt is slipping and burning as you mow and develops weak or stretched areas which causes the flopping in time. If this is true then mowing slower in those conditions would save the belt. Just a thought as you seem to have covered everything else.

 

[mfreund]

Do you have a picture of the broken belt? Might help point in the right direction.

 

[aczlan]

3" of heavy wet mulch 48" wide plus the uncut grass underneath? Not talking about dry fluff

So he was blowing the clippings into the uncut grass, not just "re-mowing/re-mulching the clippings from the precious passes"
I have mowed lawns commercially and we would frequently "re-mow/re-mulch the clippings from the precious passes" when there were a lot of clippings as our contract stipulated that there were not to be any visible clippings left when we were done and double cutting or triple cutting (the industry term for that) would get them small enough that they would mulch down quickly and not be left in visible clumps.

Aaron Z

 

[bandaidmd]

"After a few weeks mowing belt slaps' around and under the covers and all over top of deck is all black rubber."
Sounds like to me your describing a bearing that is not spinning freely. I just have a problem taking someone elses word that somethings ok when its apparent that its not , i would pull all the bearings and check them. If they feel the least bit rough when you turn them by hand think how that multiplys at 1000+ rpm

 

[Hammsman]

If you take the time and trouble to pull the bearings there is no way I would put the old ones back in no matter how good they look. Not that costly to replace and be sure you didn't miss anything. Like has been said, they may feel okay without tension and pressure on them but not in actual use. Always hate getting in a "replace parts til you find it situation.

 

[Bird]

3" of heavy wet mulch 48" wide plus the uncut grass underneath? Not talking about dry fluff

OK, I wasn't paying close enough attention when you said he keeps turning right. Now I understand.

 

[LD1]

Sounds like someone needs to buy a mower that discharges on the left??:laughing:

 

[gregz]

Ok . After further investigation I believe this was caused by owner error,me. I changed the first two belts. I read manual removed deck and the drive gearbox, installed new belt slapped her back together. Both times same way. After posting and checking for pulley alignment I think I found the problem. The complete unit gearbox drive pulley assembly bracket can be slightly adjusted at the rear mounting bolts, I just tossed in it and tightened it up. Today with just a visual check I can clearly see drive pulley at least 1/4" lower then the blade pulleys. And that pulley is very close to the center blade pulley ( 1/2" can't even squeeze belt throught it) I loosened the rear bolts and can pry it up to level.Is this my problem ? However still need a new belt.
Next issue. I noticed one of the pulleys has rust in the groove area not shinny from belt wear. It's rusty enough feels like very course emery cloth /sand paper. My thoughts now install new bearings, idler arm bearing/bushing, and new pulleys if needed. I don't want to mess with this for awhile. I'd post some photos but don't understand new photobucket. I can up load photos just can't find em
Thanks for the help more advice on this issue
cheerz
gregz

 

[LD1]

Polish the rust with some sandpaper. Once running, the belt will keep it polished for you.

As to the pulley mis-alignment, you bet. 1/4" off will definataly eat belts.