John Deere

[Ken Hopkins]

While mowing, have broken 3 belts, one that I had been using for two years and two new ones , all replaced by lawnmower repair shop.
John Deere X 304 4 wheel steering
1025 hours, year 2006.
Pulleys and tensioner are A OK.
Any suggestions as to cause of my problem?

 

[Ken Hopkins]

While mowing, have broken 3 belts, one that I had been using for two years and two new ones , all replaced by lawnmower repair shop.
John Deere X 304 4 wheel steering
1025 hours, year 2006.
Pulleys and tensioner are A OK.
Any suggestions as to cause of my problem?

Added info: The belts didn’t break when engaging or disengaging the blades but but each time broke while mowing a strip of grass at 3 1/2” as I have been for years - just taking off the top 1”.

 

[loggin]

Could be the blade spindles. Not sure if the shop checked them? Sometimes spindles can feel ok until you put a perpendicular load on them as in the belt being hooked up. When was the last time they were greased?

 

[dodge man]

Do you throttle down when starting the blades? I know you say they are not breaking then but it may still be hard on them.

I had a Kubota BX that went several years on the original deck belt, then I went through two more quickly, then the 4th one lasted a long time. I think the two that didn’t last were defective, a run of bad belts.

 

[ruffdog]

Check for something jammed into the root of the pulley like a rock, wood, piece of old belt.

 

[tomplum]

So you are talking deck belts on a 42" deck? If not, be more specific. If so, your friendly Deere dealer has a bulletin. It involves a new guide kit and inspecting the tension arm for wear etc. - which is very likely at the hours. X300, X304, X310 42C deck belt failure Solution 116525

 

[nyone]

Are you buying kevlar deck belts?

 

[Spanner]

So you are talking deck belts on a 42" deck? If not, be more specific. If so, your friendly Deere dealer has a bulletin. It involves a new guide kit and inspecting the tension arm for wear etc. - which is very likely at the hours. X300, X304, X310 42C deck belt failure Solution 116525

I have a machine exhibiting the same issue as the OP. (X300/42C W/o Tensioner Handle) 350 Hrs.
Never had this before then all of a sudden 4 belts in 2 weeks.
I have researched the post by Tom and sourced the DTAC Solution from the dealer. It is dated 2019 and that's after I left working there so it is 'news' to me.

There is obviously a problem sufficiently widespread for JD to devise this modification and produce a new guide plate.

Thanks Tom. I've ordered the part and will report back.
Hope this helps the OP as well.

 

[jwhouse]

Could someone please post the part numbers associated with X300, X304, X310 42C deck belt failure Solution 116525? This is costing a small fortune in belts.