WIll a pine cone do this?

roush9799 · Aug 21, 2013

Had the 72" mmm for just over a year, and it threw the belt for the 2nd time. Both times when I went to re install the belt there would be a pine cone laying on the deck. Not sure what else would have done it, I was in short grass both times. Never did throw one on my old 60" I had before. They never came off till they wore out and broke. I got the belt back on and finished mowing, picked up a new one since when it flew off this time it took out a chuck between the gearbox pulley and bracket. $98 for the belt.

hosspuller · Aug 21, 2013

did the pinecone have any marks on it? If yes... you have your answer

bigtiller · Aug 21, 2013

A black walnut did it to mine once a few years ago, so yes it is possible.

Gator6x4 · Aug 21, 2013

Sticks or small limbs are notorious for causing mower deck belts to come off.

Dr_Zinj · Aug 21, 2013

Short answer,
yes.

TCowner · Aug 22, 2013

My 1026R wedged a small pine cone (Black hills spruce to be exact) between the belt and idler pulley about three weeks ago. It threw the belt off and the idler pulley slammed into the right side drive over ramp on the 60D deck. The idler pulley was damaged and had to be replaced. I had my Worktunes headphones on and didn't realize what had happened until the engine started to labor and I could detect the smell of burnt rubber. The belt had wedged between the gearbox pulley and the deck so it the belt also had to be replaced.

About 6 years ago I was mowing with my X595 and the mower deck started to shake and vibrate badly. The belts seemed fine and I was worried that the gear box had failed. They are a spendy part so I took it to the dealer expecting a repair bill to the tune of about $700. I called the next day and was told there the unit was ready to pick and that there was no charge. I small pine (spruce) cone had wedged in one of the pulleys. The service rep said it happens fairly often.

So yes, a pine cone will cause this problem.