3204 Cub pto belt problem

[ducati996]

I would be interested in hearing more about this and final conclusion. I have a 3204 (2003) model and I have yet had the need to replace any belts (Decks & PTO's) - I have 170 plus hard hours

The only way to see whats happening is to visually inspect the PTO in action....have someone on the tractor and all panels removed. At a safe distance observe the engaging & disengaging and see what dosent look right....

 

[Gerryc15]

My CC 3235 has 105 hours and also on the same set of belts. As I said earlier problem went away. I normally mow 2 lawns every weekend. I have the 44" deck with the bagger. I have been mowing at #5 on the Deck Stop. This morning I lowered the Deck Stop to # 4 1/2 which what I use to Bag the leaves and for the Winter Cut. The grass was about 4" tall and damp from the rain. The Tractor was bagging all the grass and leaves, no clogs or droppings, full throttle slow ground speed.

I begin my second lawn this afternoon and on the first pass, there is a small drop-off between my neighors property and my own. First I stop PTO for the mower deck, raise it, move the tractor to begin next cut. I drop the deck, engine at full throttle. I switch on the PTO and hear a thump, I smell burning belt. I shut it down and sure enough the Outer Belt only is off. Drive back to the garage and loosen stop bolts, place outer Belt back on. I adjust the Stop Bolts to with 1/8 to 1/4" away from the pulley.

I drive back out run mower for 2 more hours bagging leaves and grass with no other problems.

The belt popping off seems to happen in the same area of the yard? It is similiar to the Bermuda Triangle, but all of the failings have happened in the same 5 square foot area.

 

[cc3204]

I received the tractor back from the dealer and this is the response that I obtained. "We are not sure, but the bottom pto pulley seemed to be bent and could have come from the factory that way." The pulley, belts and brake/belt guide were replaced under warranty. I have not used the unit yet due to the weather (rainy and cold all weekend in N KY). As soon as it clears up, I will get the grass cut and see if the problem is repaired.

 

[ducati996]

Its not out of the rhelm of possibility that you could bend the PTO pulley by hitting an object....its placement can be vunerable to low objects that you can see...a bent pully can throw belts....You need to see it in action to see if it has a wobble

 

[Gerryc15]

Duc and Others,

Thank you for the update.

I will speak with the Dealer on Wednesday 10/26/05, and update.

 

[Gerryc15]

Update

Dealer did not hear of the problem before.

He told me to adjust the bolts in closer and that should solve the problem. He said the belts deflect on start and stop. I have an additional 10 hours on it sucking up leaves and have had no additional problems. These are the original belts with 115 hours mowing and snow blowing. I have an addtitional set of new belts, just in case.


Regards,

Gerry C

 

[bobcox]

I recently purchased a Cub Cadet GT3204 Garden Tractor with Power Take Off apparently gear driven. I previously had a clutch-type felt driven PTO but this tractor seems to be a gear driven PTO. It cuts fine, hydraulic lift works fine but I have two concerns. When the PTO switch is turned off, the sound is horrible. It's as if the brake shoe one a brake drum is grinding into the drum. Second, the hydraulic steering has what I think is excessive play, difficult to steer on rough ground in in straight line. Any suggestions?