Tension Pulley Adjustment on MMM

Steelfan · Oct 2, 2002

Last night when I was mowing with my TC21D, and MMM, the belt on top of the MMM came off. It was late so I put the Tractor away for the night. This morning I got to looking at it, and the belt just came off the pulleys. I loosed the Tension Pulley, and put it back on. I also decided to tighten the tension on the belt while I was at it. Now comes my question, what is a good way to make sure the belt is tight enough? Also can you overtighten the belt? I really don't want to buy a new belt any faster then I have to. Also I use a pressure washer to clean the top of the MMM off, will the water make harm the belt? Its the best way to clean the deck that I've found. Thanks in advance.

Kent

MikePA · Oct 3, 2002

Kent, my 914A mmm manual indicates that the belt is adjusted correctly when the spring is 5 9/16" long.

I don't see where using a pressure washer would hurt the belt or the deck.

RoyJackson · Oct 3, 2002

Normally, there's an amount of defection given (at the longest span of belt between pulleys/idlers). On my Befco mower, it's 1/2"-5/8".

The belts stretch quite a bit over the hours of usage. I'm sure most of us don't pull the belt cover(s) off too often to check the tension.

Reckon it's a good idea to do so twice a season or so.

RickB · Oct 6, 2002

I believe Mike's answer to be correct. You could verify that in your ops manual, or often there is a decal on the deck itself that gives an adjustment spec.