Eatin' belts

[Bird]

I think while I had them out, I'd replace those bearings.

 

[LD1]

I think while I had them out, I'd replace those bearings.

ditto

 

[LD1]

I think while I had them out, I'd replace those bearings.

ditto

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Speaking as a mechanic, this sounds like a pulley alignment problem. Most people are dumbstruck by how much a fraction of a millimeter wrong sized shim can make a car or tractor eat or throw belts. Just a couple sheets of paper thickness metal shim can do it.

 

[gregz]

I dropped off all the spindles and the idler arm at the dealer. Head wrench told me two of the spindle bearings were for sure bad and the idler pulley was scrap. I told him to rebuild all three plus the idler and one new pulley is needed. When everything is done and reinstalled he told to bring in the deck in and he will double check everything, alignment etc.
It's a big hit in the wallet but hopefully I won't have to worry about for a few years.
Thanks again for everything I post the results
cheerz
gregz

 

[gregz]

Ok I pullies are done I picked them up the other day. Estimate was way off they socked me for $450 bucks plus a new belt @ $60. Ouch
Went to install them this morning and discovered there will be a major alignment issue. Now I have to bring one back to the dealer and deal with them idiots again. Prolly have to wait another two weeks to fix again the right way
Wonderful

 

[milkman]

Looks like all that is needed is, take the nut off the new pulley and flip it over, sucks dealing with idiots. Glad you couldn't figure out the Photobucket, I got to see the pics of your 900s. Still have a soft spot for those jewels, owned a '73 and a '75, king in their day. I pulled a camper with the '75 for a couple of years before I sold it. Thanks for the memory trip.

 

[94BULLITT]

What cost $450?

 

[LD1]

Idlers usually arent rebuildable. and cost ~$30
The spindles, 6 bearings @ $10 each ~ $60
New pulley, likely around $40

So $130 in parts and $320 in labor. Sounds about right. 1hr per spindle @ $100/hr shop rate. Good incentive to learn to do the bearings yourself. I could have had it done in under 1/2 a day once I had parts. And be ready to go.

They got you for a new belt. Price seems about right. But did you need a new one??

I agree about just flipping the one over.

 

[buickanddeere]

Maybe not, but mine mows fine & takes a lot less fuel when running at a lower RPM.

So how much is a lot less with just a mower cutting the lawn? If times are so tough you have to cut back that much. I'll send you a few bucks gas money.

 

[buickanddeere]

So he was blowing the clippings into the uncut grass, not just "re-mowing/re-mulching the clippings from the precious passes"
I have mowed lawns commercially and we would frequently "re-mow/re-mulch the clippings from the precious passes" when there were a lot of clippings as our contract stipulated that there were not to be any visible clippings left when we were done and double cutting or triple cutting (the industry term for that) would get them small enough that they would mulch down quickly and not be left in visible clumps.

Aaron Z

Could maybe work if the lawn was cut every three days in the southwest. Here the grass grows thick, wet and heavy. There is absolutely no way to cut the lawn with right turns without bogging the mower.

 

[94BULLITT]

Idlers usually arent rebuildable. and cost ~$30
The spindles, 6 bearings @ $10 each ~ $60
New pulley, likely around $40

So $130 in parts and $320 in labor. Sounds about right. 1hr per spindle @ $100/hr shop rate. Good incentive to learn to do the bearings yourself. I could have had it done in under 1/2 a day once I had parts. And be ready to go.

They got you for a new belt. Price seems about right. But did you need a new one??

I agree about just flipping the one over.

Sounds like a stealership to me unless something drove the cost way up that I am unaware of. It think for that kind of money he could have got new complete spindle assemblies.

 

[gregz]

Now it gets better.
I take the spindle with upside down pulley back the dealer. They fix while I wait. Head wrench hands it to me apologizes. I grab it and naturally spin it. It doesn't spin. I have to force it to move like I'm trying to open a new jar of pickles. Finally is spins a little with a ratchet affect. Serious wtf. So the main counter man ( dealer owners son) and the mechanic insist an telling me it's fine It will loosen up. I tell em the other two they rebuilt are fine, this one is screwed up. Mechanic takes in back greases it same result. Honestly they tell me they felt worse spindle that were new. It feels like I'm trying so spin and old rusty ratchet wrench. I'm pissed I leave. Time for a beer and a cig
Half mile down the road is a Kubota dealer. I bought the wrong color tractor. I zoom in and ask for some friendly advice. Kubota counter man says I should have replaced the bearing along with new pulley. I tell him story. he laughs and calls in his mechanic. I don't think I can repeat what the kabuta mechanic said
Back to the JD dealer. I toss the spindle on the counter tell em to fix it and walked out
sorry for my rant

 

[94BULLITT]

Now it gets better.
I take the spindle with upside down pulley back the dealer. They fix while I wait. Head wrench hands it to me apologizes. I grab it and naturally spin it. It doesn't spin. I have to force it to move like I'm trying to open a new jar of pickles. Finally is spins a little with a ratchet affect. Serious wtf. So the main counter man ( dealer owners son) and the mechanic insist an telling me it's fine It will loosen up. I tell em the other two they rebuilt are fine, this one is screwed up. Mechanic takes in back greases it same result. Honestly they tell me they felt worse spindle that were new. It feels like I'm trying so spin and old rusty ratchet wrench. I'm pissed I leave. Time for a beer and a cig
Half mile down the road is a Kubota dealer. I bought the wrong color tractor. I zoom in and ask for some friendly advice. Kubota counter man says I should have replaced the bearing along with new pulley. I tell him story. he laughs and calls in his mechanic. I don't think I can repeat what the kabuta mechanic said
Back to the JD dealer. I toss the spindle on the counter tell em to fix it and walked out
sorry for my rant

So why did they charge you so much?

 

[bandaidmd]

Wow , another reason I'm so happy I can do my own work. Its not so much the color of the tractor that makes for a bad experience but shops like that sure do a disservice to there brand.

 

[gregz]

So why did they charge you so much?

four hours labor and $100 or so in parts tax . all new bearings & seals? one new pulley new idler pulley and bushing (which were still in the bag They didn't install) and I give them the idler arm. They just gave it back with the new parts
So in a nutshell they rebuilt three spindles F&%ed one of them up charged me up the *** and now I have to make another trip my time gas back to the dealer.
Which I will never step another foot in when the they get spindle done

 

[deerseeker001]

i had this problem,installed new belt and went cutting grass maybe 20-30 minutes belt shot bought new belt got a belt routing diagram and yes i was doing it wrong.that last belt has been on for years.

 

[94BULLITT]

four hours labor and $100 or so in parts tax . all new bearings & seals? one new pulley new idler pulley and bushing (which were still in the bag They didn't install) and I give them the idler arm. They just gave it back with the new parts
So in a nutshell they rebuilt three spindles F&%ed one of them up charged me up the *** and now I have to make another trip my time gas back to the dealer.
Which I will never step another foot in when the they get spindle done

Is this dealer doing much business?

Try googling their name and see what reviews pop up.

 

[gregz]

Hi Guys
Hope everyone had a nice holiday. I been busy with work and just wanted to update. After all he work ,new spindles couple new pullies etc the mower deck works fine. It cut right through my wallet. Figured I'd throw this at you. Back in March same dealer rebuilt one of the FEL cylinders that was leaking. I prolly used that bucket dozen times filled with sticks small braches leaves around the farm. Never any heavy stuff stone dirt etc.It's aquick attach most of the time bucket is off out of the way.
Well the same cyl. they installed new seal is leaking bad. Guess what, they will fix it at regular rate ,no warrenty price break nothing. Wonderful. Guess I'm going to buy some tool fix it myself
Cheers
gregz