Deck belt problem

MESSMAKER · Mar 20, 2020

Not a tractor but here it goes.
Replacing the belt on my zero turn. The pulleys are all free spinning and the belt is the correct length but it does not seem to fit properly. The belt seems an inch or two too short. The idler pulley does not return to the same position as it did with the old belt. This puts the tension spring at the wrong angle and lets it rub on the deck. It is a Snappper Pro ICD 61" deck. It is the same as the deck on a Ferris.

mini14 · Mar 21, 2020

Every single time that I've been in your situation it was because I thought I was routing the belt correctly. When looking at the belt diagram I learned I made a small mistake. Take a second look at diagram. I've replaced many deck blade belts over the years. All on ferris. Scaggs. And toros.

ruffdog · Mar 21, 2020

mini14 said:
Every single time that I've been in your situation it was because I thought I was routing the belt correctly. When looking at the belt diagram I learned I made a small mistake. Take a second look at diagram. I've replaced many deck blade belts over the years. All on ferris. Scaggs. And toros.

^^been there, done that...ha If we only would have taken a picture before the belt came off.

chim · Mar 21, 2020

ruffdog said:
^^been there, done that...ha If we only would have taken a picture before the belt came off.

Learned that lesson myself. That's why I too a bunch of pictures before stripping the deck for rehab last year. It would have been bad enough if the work could have been done in one or two days. With all the pieces, it was nice to have a reference picture.

seville009 · Mar 21, 2020

There’s usually a sticker somewhere on the mower/deck that shows the belt routing - do you have that to double check?

Are you sure that the new belt is the correct one? If the old belt is still around and intact, lay the old belt on the ground and lay yhe new belt on top of it to see how close in size they are.

Try and put the old belt back on. If that seems too short now too, that kind if confirms that something is being done incorrectly in the installation

MESSMAKER · Mar 21, 2020

I got it after 3-4 times on and off and 10 frustrating minutes with a tape measure. There are two different models of the same size deck that fit the same mower. Guess which one I got and witch one I need. The good news is that the second belt is exactly twice as expensive even though it it 3 inches longer.

Thanks for the help.