deck belt rubbing

[mfrick]

I have a mtd yard machine 42 inch. The deck belt is rubbing. when the pto is engaged the idler pulley is too far back, is there a spring or something to keep the pulley from moving too far?

 

[Carscw]

I have a mtd yard machine 42 inch. The deck belt is rubbing. when the pto is engaged the idler pulley is too far back, is there a spring or something to keep the pulley from moving too far?

Do you have the right belt?
Could be the belt is just a little to big.
Does the belt slip when in thick grass?

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

 

[mfrick]

Do you have the right belt?
Could be the belt is just a little to big.
Does the belt slip when in thick grass?

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

Thanks for the response.

The belt is the original. The machine worked fine yesterday. However, it did stop cutting a few times but by disengaging and reengaging the pto it would start cutting again. Today it cut fine on the flat but cut erradically (start and stop cutting on its own) on the slopes. I had to make multiple passes from different directions to get the job done. At the end it started making noise and I could smell something burning. It is obvious where the belt is rubbing the deck. If I could move the pully forward just a tiny bit it would work.

 

[Carscw]

Thanks for the response.

The belt is the original. The machine worked fine yesterday. However, it did stop cutting a few times but by disengaging and reengaging the pto it would start cutting again. Today it cut fine on the flat but cut erradically (start and stop cutting on its own) on the slopes. I had to make multiple passes from different directions to get the job done. At the end it started making noise and I could smell something burning. It is obvious where the belt is rubbing the deck. If I could move the pully forward just a tiny bit it would work.

That smell is burning rubber.

When you engage the pto a spring pulls the pulley to make the belt tight when the belt is old and worn out. The pulley will be pulled closer to the frame and rub.

The spring does two things 1 it pull the belt tight and keeps it tight as the belt gets worn out.
2 when you get in thick grass the spring lets the pulley move so you don't snap the belt.

You need a new belt anyways so go get one and with the engine off engage the pto and see that the belt now does not rub.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

I moved your thread to the Small Engine & Mower Repair Forum. :smile:

 

[mfrick]

That smell is burning rubber.

When you engage the pto a spring pulls the pulley to make the belt tight when the belt is old and worn out. The pulley will be pulled closer to the frame and rub.

The spring does two things 1 it pull the belt tight and keeps it tight as the belt gets worn out.
2 when you get in thick grass the spring lets the pulley move so you don't snap the belt.

You need a new belt anyways so go get one and with the engine off engage the pto and see that the belt now does not rub.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

Thanks. I will replace the belt.

 

[mfrick]

I replaced the belt as advised and the rubbing has stopped. Don't have much clearance but enough. I am still have the same problem on th slopes. Cuts fine on the flat even the tall grass but doesn't work on the slope. It seems as though the belt is too loose and slips when on the small hills. Any suggestions?

rick

 

[mfrick]

That smell is burning rubber.

When you engage the pto a spring pulls the pulley to make the belt tight when the belt is old and worn out. The pulley will be pulled closer to the frame and rub.

The spring does two things 1 it pull the belt tight and keeps it tight as the belt gets worn out.
2 when you get in thick grass the spring lets the pulley move so you don't snap the belt.

You need a new belt anyways so go get one and with the engine off engage the pto and see that the belt now does not rub.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

apparently the tensioner spring had broken and fallen off the deck. I didn't even know that it was gone. I found a diagram from MTD parts and realized that the spring was missing. I replaced the spring ... works fine now.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

apparently the tensioner spring had broken and fallen off the deck. I didn't even know that it was gone. I found a diagram from MTD parts and realized that the spring was missing. I replaced the spring ... works fine now.

I'm glad you figured out what it was! :biggrin: