JD Z665 mower deck breaking belts

[MB Swanson]

JD Z665 breaking mower deck belts

 

[Bertrrr]

Have you checked the spindles ? what about the idler pully and tension spring arrangement?
What is the history on the machine ? Did you change anything when this started ?

 

[MB Swanson]

Over the last year, replaced all spindles. Just replaced the PTO. Have ordered 3 replacement pulleys. Watched a You Tube. Two tidbits struck: Engage the electric pto at idle then increase, and loosen tension on idler arm. Also, while my deck height adjust says I can go from 1" to 4 1/2", going beyond 3 1/2" way increases the belt angle between pulleys. Am going to incorporate these into my next attempt. At $103 for JD OEM belts, and/or $50+ for substitutes. this is getting frustrating. Six years no problem, now 5 belts in a month, with various tweaks.
Should know by the weekend... will thread one way or the other. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Bertrrr]

Deck height shouldn't effect the deck belts only the Drive belt angle , mine needs high RPM's to engage initially then you can slow the machine down to where you like to run it.

 

[MB Swanson]

Deck height shouldn't effect the deck belts only the Drive belt angle , mine needs high RPM's to engage initially then you can slow the machine down to where you like to run it.

Yes, I meant the drive belt angle. I'm gonna try the low rpm startup and see what happens. Shouldn't hurt anything. Waiting on the 3 pulleys I ordered... May need to rent some goats

 

[Bertrrr]

It's so dry here even the goats are looking for weeds / grass or anything