The (not so short story) is,the drive belt falls off a lot. After several years of ownership (I purchased it brand new), The drive belt started to fall off. It would happen IMMEDIATELY UPON STARTING the engine for the first time after sitting for a couple weeks between mows. I can tell when it is going to happen because just as the engine starts, as it starts to rev up to "choke" RPMs,I hear what sounds like a one rough "BUCK" coming from the bottom of the deck as if some object is being chopped up. But the blade isn't even turning. The mower is just sitting there with the engine running. I engage the blade to mow, pull the drive lever. NO Drive.
The first few times it happened, I would take it apart and put the belt back on. PITA, but not difficult. But then it became more frequent. Each time, always at the beginning of a mow and with one "chunk" sound. At the end of last mowing season, I replaced the belt. It worked GREAT for the rest of 2022 (maybe 6 (Autumn) mows of 8000 sf regular lawn), and 4 mows so far this 2023 season (New Hampshire) and now the new belt fell off again.
It happens more frequently after sitting for a couple of weeks after a "short-cut" mow of high, lush grass. Could this long lush grass that is clumping up underneath the deck be causing this? I haven't been in the habit of cleaning the underside of the mower after every use.
I am going to take it apart tomorrow and put the belt back on. Is there a means of checking for alignment issues.
Thanks for any help or suggestions.
The first few times it happened, I would take it apart and put the belt back on. PITA, but not difficult. But then it became more frequent. Each time, always at the beginning of a mow and with one "chunk" sound. At the end of last mowing season, I replaced the belt. It worked GREAT for the rest of 2022 (maybe 6 (Autumn) mows of 8000 sf regular lawn), and 4 mows so far this 2023 season (New Hampshire) and now the new belt fell off again.
It happens more frequently after sitting for a couple of weeks after a "short-cut" mow of high, lush grass. Could this long lush grass that is clumping up underneath the deck be causing this? I haven't been in the habit of cleaning the underside of the mower after every use.
I am going to take it apart tomorrow and put the belt back on. Is there a means of checking for alignment issues.
Thanks for any help or suggestions.