Belt for 48" deck

[ldabe]

Yes, I definitely will write the number down for the future.

But my middle spindle is larger than the outside ones.

Also, it only has one pulley on it.

 

[J_J]

Yes, I definitely will write the number down for the future.

But my middle spindle is larger than the outside ones.

Also, it only has one pulley on it.

You are right, I was thinking of my 60 in deck on my Dixie chopper. It has two pulleys because a belt drives the main pulley.

 

[ldabe]

Well, all is running ok again.

I did the middle (center) spindle and also the fan is still doing what it should be doing.

I wish I would have taken some pics, but I didn't even think about it I was so aggrevated.

Next time I will try to make it a point to take step by step pics (I saw a Jaguar site where everything the guy did to the vehical he had step by steps pics...pretty cool.).

From what I have read a couple places on here I will probably be doing it again within two years! Not looking forward to it, but at least I will have some idea of what I am doing.

Thanks to all for all the help, suggestions, and comments.

 

[ponytug]

Can you write up what you did do, step by step, in a separate thread?

I am thinking in the long run that with step, by step reports, an online version of an owners manual would eventually get generated....

Just trying to help the next user out.

All the best,

Peter

Well, all is running ok again.

I did the middle (center) spindle and also the fan is still doing what it should be doing.

I wish I would have taken some pics, but I didn't even think about it I was so aggrevated.

Next time I will try to make it a point to take step by step pics (I saw a Jaguar site where everything the guy did to the vehical he had step by steps pics...pretty cool.).

From what I have read a couple places on here I will probably be doing it again within two years! Not looking forward to it, but at least I will have some idea of what I am doing.

Thanks to all for all the help, suggestions, and comments.

 

[ldabe]

Can you write up what you did do, step by step, in a separate thread?

I am thinking in the long run that with step, by step reports, an online version of an owners manual would eventually get generated....

Just trying to help the next user out.

All the best,

Peter

Peter,
Yes, I will try to remember the step by step and write it up.

 

[J_J]

Has anyone ever seen a statement like this. This was from a manufacture that used Kohler engines.

Kohler Engines that are equipped with an Oil Pressure Switch can be used on 45 degree angle slopes without problems.

 

[ponytug]

Looking at the specs on the Kohler website, most engines are 20 degrees, several are rated to 30 with some restrictions, and one is rated at 35. I didn't check to see what the matching horsepower ranges were. Of course the 35 degree engine only develops 9HP...

I am doubtful that this applies to any engine we would be interested in.

An oil low pressure alarm would help, but I would hate to have to hustle off a slope on short notice...

All the best,

Peter

Has anyone ever seen a statement like this. This was from a manufacture that used Kohler engines.

Kohler Engines that are equipped with an Oil Pressure Switch can be used on 45 degree angle slopes without problems.

 

[J_J]

Looking at the specs on the Kohler website, most engines are 20 degrees, several are rated to 30 with some restrictions, and one is rated at 35. I didn't check to see what the matching horsepower ranges were. Of course the 35 degree engine only develops 9HP...

I am doubtful that this applies to any engine we would be interested in.

An oil low pressure alarm would help, but I would hate to have to hustle off a slope on short notice...

All the best,

Peter

The purpose of the low oil switch is to shut off the engine if low on oil. and this might occur on a certain slope. I don't know if the side that the switch is on makes a difference, although it could. They didn't say forward or aft, or sideways.

Something similar, I was pressure washing the other day, and the Honda engine would shut off after a couple of minutes. I checked the oil, and it was low. so I cheated and lifted up one side of the pressure washer, and it ran fine until I could get to a store and buy some oil. Sitting normally, the engine would not run. Filled up to the line, and engine ran fine. So I am not sure what the answer is about which angle is the best, or worse.

 

[SnowRidge]

The Kohler Oil Sentry (their name for an oil pressure switch) does not necessarily shut off the engine. It doesn't necessarily even do anything at all, which is true in the case of Kohler equipped Power Tracs.

The Oil Sentry is nothing more than an oil pressure switch with a wire attached to it. It is up to the OEM to put the switch and the wire to use. Some hook it to an alarm. Some use it to kill the engine if the oil pressure goes away. Power Trac simply ignored it.

 

[BobRip]

The Kohler Oil Sentry (their name for an oil pressure switch) does not necessarily shut off the engine. It doesn't necessarily even do anything at all, which is true in the case of Kohler equipped Power Tracs.

The Oil Sentry is nothing more than an oil pressure switch with a wire attached to it. It is up to the OEM to put the switch and the wire to use. Some hook it to an alarm. Some use it to kill the engine if the oil pressure goes away. Power Trac simply ignored it.

The oil pressure switch on my Robin engine was not connected to anything. I connected it to a light. The light flickers when the engine idles to slow and turns on when the engine stops. I have never had it come on from other causes.

 

[ponytug]

As others have pointed out, the Kohler is a pressure switch, which is, in some respects, not as good as an oil level switch, since the level switch can kill the engine before the oil pressure drops.

Either way, it doesn't appear that Kohler ever envisioned running the engines at 45 degrees.

One could of course install a dry sump, dual oil pumps, swining oil pickups, and a variety of other options to enable high angle operation, but....

All the best,

Peter

The purpose of the low oil switch is to shut off the engine if low on oil. and this might occur on a certain slope. I don't know if the side that the switch is on makes a difference, although it could. They didn't say forward or aft, or sideways.

 

[ldabe]

Well, looks like I will be spending some time working on the middle spindle on the mower deck again. It has not even been 1 yr. since I replaced it last time.
The coupler "fingers" (two of them) broke off, and the "spider coupler" is partly broken too.
I have some pics, and will take some more when I get the parts to do the job.
Question?
Should I start a New Thread, or just continue in this one?

 

[MossRoad]

Just continue here, if you like. It keeps the data in one place.

 

[ponytug]

Dear Idabe,

Do you have a dial meter to check the alignment of the two halves? Most couplers (spiders) have a limited range of misalignment. To the extent that the two ends are not coaxial, it places more strain and wear on the coupler. We had a chiller that ate spiders, and finally ate both the motor and the pump bearings. When we re-installed it, we were more careful shimming it in place with a micrometer and it never ate another spider after that, at least as long as I was there.

You have my sympathies; I hate refixing a problem that I thought was fixed.

All the best,

Peter

Well, looks like I will be spending some time working on the middle spindle on the mower deck again. It has not even been 1 yr. since I replaced it last time.
The coupler "fingers" (two of them) broke off, and the "spider coupler" is partly broken too.
I have some pics, and will take some more when I get the parts to do the job.
Question?
Should I start a New Thread, or just continue in this one?

 

[ldabe]

Dear Idabe,

Do you have a dial meter to check the alignment of the two halves? Most couplers (spiders) have a limited range of misalignment. To the extent that the two ends are not coaxial, it places more strain and wear on the coupler. We had a chiller that ate spiders, and finally ate both the motor and the pump bearings. When we re-installed it, we were more careful shimming it in place with a micrometer and it never ate another spider after that, at least as long as I was there.

You have my sympathies; I hate refixing a problem that I thought was fixed.

All the best,

Peter

Peter, no I do not have a dial meter. When talking to keith from Power Trac he mentioned the same thing, about making sure it was in line. He said to check that big angle bracket it is bolted to with a carpenters square. So when I get the parts I will do that.
And yes it is frustrating. Especially since I do not abuse this attachment at all. I mostly have flat ground, cannot remember running into anything, and have not hit anything with the blades.
So, I am a little disappointed, but thanks for the heads up on the 'alignment'.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Hmmm... Now you guys got me thinking.

My motor vibated loose on my mower... Just bolted it back down with not a thought to aligning the spyder...

Hmmmmm...... Guess we will see if I am off when I get back up north

 

[MossRoad]

My PT425 60" deck burned up a belt a few years ago. I removed the covers and it was packed with grass clippings, twigs and such. I found several low spots in the belt where it had obviously stopped while the drive pulley spun on it and wore it out. I replaced the belt and left the cover off. Never had a problem since. However, the belts are now exposed. No different than my old Simplicity. But probably not safe. I think it is important to remove the covers and clean them out often.

 

[ponytug]

Dear MR,

How about a hinge? Or an expanded metal mesh for a cover, so you could see in, and perhaps hose out, without taking it off?

This from the guy who still needs to reinforce the deck on his brush hog...

All the best,

Peter

My PT425 60" deck burned up a belt a few years ago. I removed the covers and it was packed with grass clippings, twigs and such. I found several low spots in the belt where it had obviously stopped while the drive pulley spun on it and wore it out. I replaced the belt and left the cover off. Never had a problem since. However, the belts are now exposed. No different than my old Simplicity. But probably not safe. I think it is important to remove the covers and clean them out often.

 

[J_J]

Well, looks like I will be spending some time working on the middle spindle on the mower deck again. It has not even been 1 yr. since I replaced it last time.
The coupler "fingers" (two of them) broke off, and the "spider coupler" is partly broken too.
I have some pics, and will take some more when I get the parts to do the job.
Question?
Should I start a New Thread, or just continue in this one?

It sounds sorta like you were running full power to the mower deck, and hit something. That sudden shock would slow the blades considerable, but the hydraulic motor would be trying to turn at max power, and the weakest part let go. That part is not that expensive compared to a hydraulic motor.

 

[ldabe]

It sounds sorta like you were running full power to the mower deck, and hit something. That sudden shock would slow the blades considerable, but the hydraulic motor would be trying to turn at max power, and the weakest part let go. That part is not that expensive compared to a hydraulic motor.

It is always a possibility JJ, but I am pretty sure I never hit anything. I have fairly flat ground and a lot of trees, but they are all mature "pine trees" (old christmas tree farm). It is hard to get to the trunk of the tree without eating a bunch of needles, not to mention the scratches are not that pleasant either.
Since I don't have any scratches and have not had a needle sandwich in I don't know when, I will still have to stick with my story and say I did not hit anything.