Caroni Flail Belt Failure

[IslandTractor]

For a flail the inertial load is so great I prefer to just shut off the tractor, engage PTO, and then just start it with pto in gear. Starter spins it up quickly for a nice graceful start w/o use of the pto clutch. Not sure if this would be a problem with HST tractors, but mine are gear.
larry

It seems no real shock when I engage the PTO electrically at 1000rpm.

 

[texbaylea]

I engage just above idle - ~1000 rpm up to ~1500 rpm. I don't feel any apparent shock load.

Vernon

 

[SPYDERLK]

It seems no real shock when I engage the PTO electrically at 1000rpm.

Caroni must use a fairly light rotor - or else your electric clutch engages with a lot of slip built in. My 5' Rears with the heavy rotor and knives will stall the engine of my Kub 3450 at 1000rpm if Im not careful. Starting the engine with the pto&flail engaged is trouble free.
larry

 

[IslandTractor]

Caroni must use a fairly light rotor - or else your electric clutch engages with a lot of slip built in. My 5' Rears with the heavy rotor and knives will stall the engine of my Kub 3450 at 1000rpm if Im not careful. Starting the engine with the pto&flail engaged is trouble free.
larry

My Kioti DK40se is configured so you cannot start the engine if the PTO is engaged. Besides, as noted, there is no problem starting the PTO with flail attached at 1000rpm, maybe less. There is a gentle lurch but nothing shocking. The rotor on the Caroni mower is probably not very heavy given the mower weighs in at about 600lbs.

 

[Grapeman]

Yes, I had early belt problems with my TM1900 Caroni. At about 20 hours of use, 2 of 3 belts had severe splits and chunking. The third belt was not as tight. ALL seemed OK when cover pulled at 5 and 10 hours. AgriSupply sent replacement belts under warranty. After changing belts and checking everything including pulley alignment, unit was put back in service. Still have what I consider to be a serious heat issue at the top pulley. Bottom pulley is nowhere near as hot. After 1 hour of use in rather light 6 to 10 inch previously mowed grass, cover was too hot to touch for more than 1 or 2 seconds and there was a smell of overheated rubber coming from the cover. Cloudy day with temps in the low 70s. Unit is running at 540 PTO RPM on a 45 PTO HP tractor at a fairly low ground speed. Talked to tech at AgriSupply last Monday about problem, no return call as of today,(Sat.). His suggestion was a possible bad bearing at end of gearbox shaft. They were going to check with Caroni and let me know their thoughts. I like the unit but am discouraged with the problem. Solve this and it would be an excellent piece of equipment for the money.

 

[Eagleview]

His suggestion was a possible bad bearing at end of gearbox shaft.

I'll wager it's a belt tension problem . As heat rises , this will cause the top of the cover to feel hotter than the bottom . Slipping belts are causing the burnt rubber smell . If it was the bearing it would have to be running red hot to sink enough heat into a finned pulley to cause a burnt rubber smell and if it was getting that hot it (the bearing)would fail in short order .

 

[sunspot]

I'll wager it's a belt tension problem

Too much or little? When I checked mine at 5 hours or so, the spring had very little tension. I tweaked it up only a bit. After that, I did not notice any heat reduction. Now with the new Mexican (NAPA) belts, I tightened up the spring a bit more.
At the end of an hour mowing, the non-belted side of the rotor was air temperature. The power shaft from the gear box to the pulley was slightly warm. The gear box was hot but no hotter than a RM.
The top of the pulley cover was very hot.
To my way of thinking the spring tension, loosed, tight or in between, made no difference.
As I said before, I am going to wait and see. I'll pull the cover at 5 hours and hope for the best.

'snip..... finned pulley.... 'endsnip'

None of the pulleys are finned but what a great idea.

 

[Cyberroc]

Is there a grease zerk on the top larger pully set? Maybe on the other side of the plate gard or somewhere not easily visable?

I was just wondering as I can see them on the other pully set, idler pully, and pivot point for the idler, however not on the top pully set. I would think that there would be one, or maybe its just out of site.

If there is not one, would this not lend to extra heat that some are seeing? I would think there should be one and if not how often are the others supposed to be greased?

If someone has a pic of the zerk for that side please post it, or a copy of the user manual.

Thanks, I registered on the site, still trying to get my login to work.

 

[IslandTractor]

Is there a grease zerk on the top larger pully set? Maybe on the other side of the plate gard or somewhere not easily visable?.

Yes, it is on the shaft side. You can see it on this photo if you squint.

 

[Cyberroc]

Yes, it is on the shaft side. You can see it on this photo if you squint.

LOL

Good to know, it was just a thought, I am guessing that it does the job.