Hello and help wanted

[Ol'Dean]

This is my first post. About 6 months ago, we decided to leave the city life in Atlanta and bought 5.5 acres 40 miles east of town so my wife would have enough room to plant things. Of course, that meant I had to have a tractor, so bought an almost new KB2230 with FL, BH, and MMM. What fun I've been having! But careless mowing ruined the mower belt, and I'm now installing a new one. Trouble is, the spring on the idler pulley is stronger than I am. I have an idea about rigging a tool to pull it into place, but maybe you guys have already solved this problem. Thanks for any ideas.

 

[RoyJackson]

I use a couple of flat blade screwdrivers.
One is used to hold the idler/spring as compressed as I can manage, the other is to help work the belt around the pulleys.
THINK before you do this! If there's a way for that screwdriver to fly, it will!

 

[DiezNutz]

...Of course, that meant I had to have a tractor...

Of course...

THINK before you do this! If there's a way for that screwdriver to fly, it will!

I.e., get your mother-in-law to hold one. I use prybars.. same difference.

 

[crbr]

This is my first post. About 6 months ago, we decided to leave the city life in Atlanta and bought 5.5 acres 40 miles east of town so my wife would have enough room to plant things. Of course, that meant I had to have a tractor, so bought an almost new KB2230 with FL, BH, and MMM. What fun I've been having! But careless mowing ruined the mower belt, and I'm now installing a new one. Trouble is, the spring on the idler pulley is stronger than I am. I have an idea about rigging a tool to pull it into place, but maybe you guys have already solved this problem. Thanks for any ideas.

You first mistake was Atlanta... Just funning (a bit). Most of these guys here will help all they can. This RoyJackson character is one to be reckoned with but he's all good people. Just look at his avatar...

My point here is this: All the thanks in the world isn't necessary after a certain point of appreciation. Just keep coming back to visit and share your tractor projects from time to time and don't ba a one-time poster and abandon the place.....

Welcome aboard.

 

[teg]

On a different mower but needed to do the same thing. I used a ratch tie down strap. Hooked one end to the spring, came out the side and around the back of the mower and hooked the other end around the axle on the other side. Took up the slack and then ratched the spring and pully back. Make sure the belt is in place beforehand.

 

[Grrrr]

On a different mower but needed to do the same thing. I used a ratch tie down strap. Hooked one end to the spring, came out the side and around the back of the mower and hooked the other end around the axle on the other side. Took up the slack and then ratched the spring and pully back. Make sure the belt is in place beforehand.

That is a really good idea, why didn't I ever think of that?

 

[DiezNutz]

Just look at his avatar...

Yes, just look... yet I struggle to take either of you seriously. Especially Roy with that hat.

 

[Volfandt]

I take the tension off of the belt on my BX23"s 60" MMM every winter, it's supposed to extend the belt's, spring and pulley's serviceable lifespan.
What you want to do is use either a crowbar or any other 2' to 3' heavy metal bar to push th eidler pulley inward so that it loosens the belt enough to slide off of the outside blade pulley. Then slowly and easily let the spring pull the pulley back until the spring just flops loosely on it's keeper.

To remove and replace the belt you'll also need to remove the 4 bolts on the right hand side of the MMM's gearbox and remove that bracket. The old belt can then be removed from the MMM and the new belt installed.
This is easier done with the MMM removed from the tractor.
Good luck

 

[rdsaustintx]

What you want to do is use either a crowbar or any other 2' to 3' heavy metal bar to push th eidler pulley inward so that it loosens the belt enough to slide off of the outside blade pulley. Then slowly and easily let the spring pull the pulley back until the spring just flops loosely on it's keeper.

Volf beat me to it. Once you get a long prybar against the idler arm, it's easy.

Russell in Texas

 

[Ol'Dean]

Like my name says, I'm getting old. I said I had a KB2230. Must've been thinking about my pop's '47 International KB7 truck with which I learned how to drive--when it was new. I really have a BX2230. Maybe I mumbled the same misinformation to the dealer who sold me a mower belt for a 48" model when I have a 60". There was NO WAY I could stretch that sucker around the pulleys. Then I got the right sized one and checked out your suggestions. I modified somewhat and made me a (very) cheap tool using on-hand materials: a piece of clothesline wire and an old axe handle. Thanks for the help!

 

[BucketTeeth]

On a different mower but needed to do the same thing. I used a ratch tie down strap. Hooked one end to the spring, came out the side and around the back of the mower and hooked the other end around the axle on the other side. Took up the slack and then ratched the spring and pully back. Make sure the belt is in place beforehand.

I realize that this response is four years late but I didn't need this thread until today. A big thanks to Teg for the ratchet tie-down idea.

I had the belt on my Kubota RC72-30B 72" mmm dirft down on one of the pulleys because the cover plate rattled out of its holding clip. The belt started to smoke pretty badly until I realized what had happened and shut the mmm down. When I tried to pry it back up into place the whole belt came off. The spring on that tensioner pulley is stronger than both my crow bar and my pry bar but the tie-down did the trick. Great suggestion for a "how to" on belt replacement and tensioner release for winter storage. Thanks again Teg!

BucketTeeth

 

[teg]

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: Glad you were able to use the idea. I use the ratchet tie down straps for lots things where I need to make adjustments. PHD is attached to the roof of my barn with a couple...