Rear Finish Mower Bushog ATH 600 idler pulley repair

[Rowdy Raven]

Hey folks, I have a Bushog ATH 600 RFM that sat for a few years without being used. I replaced the blades and the main seal, then greased it up and started mowing. It did great for about 5 hours then the smoke started just a rollin out of this thing. I shut it down and let it cool off. Then I removed the belt shields and found the belt still in tact. I can hand spin it and it goes reasonably well, then I checked for play in all the pulleys and the idler pulley has side to side... up and down play in it. I presume that it is shot??? So, how's the best way to remove the pulley after taking off the spring and belt? Should I get another complete pulley system or is this unit generally repairable? Thanks for any help!!!
Rowdy

 

[bota1999]

Rowdy Raven,

I just completed this task yesterday.
On 07/11/13 while mowing 5 acres with a Bush Hog ATH 600, I threw the drive belt on the mower deck. Drove back to the garage, pullled the covers and inspected the damage. The drive belt was a little chewed up so I restrung it. Tighten the idler pulley, reassembled the deck and drove back out to finish mowing. After two 300 ft passes I threw the drive belt again. Drove back to the garage and opened up the mower deck. The drive belt blew up with pieces wraped around the idler pulley. The idler pulley was destroyed. In order to remove the idler pulley I had to dismatle the entire mowing deck. Took about 2 hours. Called the dealer who sold me the deck in 1999 to check on parts. They had everything I needed but a new drive belt. They called at 4:30 pm and said a belt just arrived. Jump in the car a raced to get the parts before closing.

Part # 88671 - Complete Idler Arm Assembly - $92.06
Part # 88667 - Drive Belt HB - 141 - $50.09
Part # 88669 - Tension Rod & Bolts - $9.78

For $152.00 plus tax and about five hours of labor (my own) I got the deck back together. I will try it out today to finishes mowing the 5 acres.

Check out Bush Hog.com here you can get PDF copies of the ATH600 mowing deck manual and parts list.

I needed to do a little sanding of the idle arm bushing to get it to fit onto the upper drive deck pin.

Also before you bolt down the upper drive deck with the main gear box string the drive belts around all the deck pulleys. I had to unbolt it to get the drive belt around the Idler pulley.

Hope this helps. Let me know how it works out for you.

bota1999,
MattC

 

[robbyr]

Way to go, you just joined TBN and on your first post gave good help. :thumbsup:

 

[bota1999]

robbyr,

I joined TBN over 14 years ago. Dropped out for awhile. Went to share but I couldn't find or remember my log in (Updated Computer and internet provider, new email). Had to re-register to share may information.

Repair held up. Spent 2.5 hours finishing mowing the 5 acres in 90 deg. heat. Kubota B2710 ran like a champ and the Bush Hog ATH600 hummed like new mower deck.

bota1999
MattC