JohnDeeredouble pulley placement

firebill · May 13, 2015

I have a John Deere GT235 with a 54c Mower deck. My deck started making a horrible clicking/grinding sound when pto was engaged and deck lowered. When deck up in transport position i heard no odd sounds. I took deck off and started looking at it and noticed the rear jacksheave (double pulley) had some bearings missing and that the were not sealed. I removed the jacksheave and replaced the top and lower bearings in the jacksheave. I re-mounted the jacksheave back on the deck and put the deck back on the tractor. I connected the primary drive belt (belt from tractor pto clutch to double pulley), and now the belt is too loose, not enough tension i assumed. I removed the deck and moved the jacksheave (double pulley) back a little further on the deck and again remounted it to the tractor. Now it is too tight I think. My question is how does one adjust (align) the pulley to be just the right tension on the belt? Tired of burning up belts and annoying noises. Thanks

bruceatlam · May 13, 2015

My 54" deck has a tensioner. Belt tension is released by "unlatching" a tensioning rod on top of the deck on the left side. After the rod is unlatched, it's rotated 90 degrees or so which rotates the tensioning pulley to release tension on the drive belt. Then it's easy to remove the belt from the PTO. Installation is the reverse ----- You don't have a tensioning rod on your deck??

beenthere · May 13, 2015

There is a tensioning rod, so am wondering what is happening.

firebill
:welcome: to TBN.

How about a pic of your deck showing the arrangement?

Here is what the 54C appears to be in jdparts.

firebill · May 13, 2015

Yes I do have a tensioning rod on the deck. But when I put belt on and latch the tensioning (rod) under the little clip on the top of the deck the belt is loose. As I said in the thread i tried to move the pulley back to give the belt more tension and now i feel it is too tight. I am trying to find out what position the rear double pulley has to be in to properly get the correct tension for the belt (tractor to Mower). I think the pulley has to be in a certain position on the deck to make everything run smooth?? Thanks

firebill · May 13, 2015

Beenthere- Thanks for the parts diagram. Do you have a list of parts for those numbers on the diagram?? I understand how the tensioning rod works, not sure where the pulley was before I took the pulley off to reset new bearings or needs to be. I dont want to put more tension on the big main spring that runs from the front of the deck to the rear. (hooks on the yellow tension arm.)?

beenthere · May 13, 2015

firebill
You can get that parts diagram and parts by going to jdparts.com (free registration) and entering model number then going to the alphabetical listing under "mower decks" where you will find it under "S" for SHEAVES (54C)

Takes a little poking around but get there eventually, just don't give up too soon.