Hi Guys,
First time on here, I am from way down here in New Zealand and having problems with 42 inch cut ride on mower. The mower is about 10 years or so old but I have generally looked after it and had no real problems. I recently decided to re-paint the deck as a bit of rust was showing, so stripped it right down and got it sandblasted and repainted it, I reassembled and have to say that I am ex Aerospace engineer so am very particular, I record how it comes apart and don't loose bits etc.
But here is the problem i now only get about an hour out of each blade drive belt, they seem to twist and end of snapping. I have looked at all I can think of, all pulleys are free with no play, the blade bearings were new only about a year ago, it has new blades and I even just replaced the two large tension springs in case they somehow got stretched in the rebuild. I generally replace the belt every year so, so know that is not routed incorrectly. Also there was a bit of slop in the bush that goes through the upper rear tension pulley assembly, so I machined up a new one with minimal play.
Now the only thing I can see is that the upper/rear tension pulley assembly #3 in the manual appears to be at an angle, is this correct ???, there is also a corresponding bulge under the deck. it is a long shot but I am just wondering did the sand blasting somehow distort the deck around this point or maybe they dropped it. If you can imagine this area of the deck is tipping in so when the idler pulley assembly bolts to it, it tips the assembly and the pulley......is this how it should be.
Model no is 13AV604G671....if that helps
Your help would be greatly appreciated, as the grass is getting high and my patience shorter ha ha
Cheers
Darren in NZ
First time on here, I am from way down here in New Zealand and having problems with 42 inch cut ride on mower. The mower is about 10 years or so old but I have generally looked after it and had no real problems. I recently decided to re-paint the deck as a bit of rust was showing, so stripped it right down and got it sandblasted and repainted it, I reassembled and have to say that I am ex Aerospace engineer so am very particular, I record how it comes apart and don't loose bits etc.
But here is the problem i now only get about an hour out of each blade drive belt, they seem to twist and end of snapping. I have looked at all I can think of, all pulleys are free with no play, the blade bearings were new only about a year ago, it has new blades and I even just replaced the two large tension springs in case they somehow got stretched in the rebuild. I generally replace the belt every year so, so know that is not routed incorrectly. Also there was a bit of slop in the bush that goes through the upper rear tension pulley assembly, so I machined up a new one with minimal play.
Now the only thing I can see is that the upper/rear tension pulley assembly #3 in the manual appears to be at an angle, is this correct ???, there is also a corresponding bulge under the deck. it is a long shot but I am just wondering did the sand blasting somehow distort the deck around this point or maybe they dropped it. If you can imagine this area of the deck is tipping in so when the idler pulley assembly bolts to it, it tips the assembly and the pulley......is this how it should be.
Model no is 13AV604G671....if that helps
Your help would be greatly appreciated, as the grass is getting high and my patience shorter ha ha
Cheers
Darren in NZ