F2100 tension pulley on R60-F24 mower deck

[corl]

The tension pulley went on my mower deck and I ordered a replacement Didn't think much about it until I picked it up at the local dealer for $584.23. I nearly fell over as it wasn't even gold plated. Just a pulley with a bearing and an arm. Sort of like a wheel bearing already pressed in place.The old maintenance schedule was to grease it every 50 hours. The new one is entirely different in its construction and is to be greased daily. I guess they couldn't design something that worked effectively over time. I certainly have never greased my wheel bearings every day! I guess I should be happy to have gotten 2250 hrs on the original bearing that got greased more often than every 50 hrs. I still think it is an outrageous price for a pulley.

 

[Dave M7040]

I bought a generic one for $30.

Dave M7040

 

[Spanner]

The tension pulley went on my mower deck and I ordered a replacement Didn't think much about it until I picked it up at the local dealer for $584.23. I nearly fell over as it wasn't even gold plated. Just a pulley with a bearing and an arm. Sort of like a wheel bearing already pressed in place.The old maintenance schedule was to grease it every 50 hours. The new one is entirely different in its construction and is to be greased daily. I guess they couldn't design something that worked effectively over time. I certainly have never greased my wheel bearings every day! I guess I should be happy to have gotten 2250 hrs on the original bearing that got greased more often than every 50 hrs. I still think it is an outrageous price for a pulley.

The orange people must be very proud of that tensioner.
26c per hour running cost...
Why did you have to buy the 'arm' as well as the pulley?
If its only "pressed in"- why didn't you just replace the bearing??

Wait until you need to buy a new belt!

 

[Dave M7040]

Now is the time to figure out what aftermarket belt will work on your mower deck. Not after it has broken and is a shredded mess.

Remove the belt and lay it flat.

Take a light rope and lay it around the inside circumference of your working belt. When the two rope ends meet mark the joint and then lay it flat and measure its length.

Belt Manufacturers adhere to some industry standards for specifying or describing belts. The inside measurement is one of two critical parameters you need to know.

For my 48" three blade Cub Cadet the inside deck belt measurement is 103"
For my 72" three blade Landpride mower deck belt, the inside measurement is 158"

The second critical measurement is the width of the belt at the top of the V

The industry standards use a letter designation:

A Section=1/2" Wide

B Section=5/8" Wide

C Section=7/8" Wide

In my case for my cub cadet deck, I need an A103 belt. However, adding the letter "P" after the A" specifies a belt with Kevlar cords, a much stronger belt.

So I order an AP103 belt. It can be Carlisle, Gates, Dayco, each uses the same descriptors. Each company will also have its own internal numbering system but this is not of help to you.

On ebay.com the belt is $24. Dayco AP13 V-Belt | eBay

For my Landpride, I need a B section belt, want the Kevlar cord and know the inside belt length is 158" So I look for a BP158 belt.

On ebay.com the belt is less than $40. Dayco BP158 Wrapped Industrial V-Belt, Gl | eBay

People who make riding mowers or pull behind a farm tractor mowers do not make their own belts, they buy them.

If you start planning ahead, you will not be paying crazy prices for readily available parts.

Dave M7040

 

[corl]

The arm post got destroyed when the bearings went and I was told that I would have to replace the whole thing. That is done and is past history. I don't understand the greasing daily as I will get everything including the belt full of grease eventually.

 

[Spanner]

Grease & wipe.