Kubota Mower Deck Pulley Failure

[jkahan]

Hi folks - hope this question is not too far out there.

I have a Kubota ZD1211-60 diesel zero turn mower -- awesome btw - I use it to mow about 10 acres of lawns and fields (bumpy but fun). Yesterday, one of the deck side pullies (drive belt contact point for one of the 3 blades) literally disappeared. the whole thing is MIA except for the core hub (where the blade spindle attaches). The pulley must have gotten wicked hot since it it melted the protective plastic deck cover. Belt appears to be fine. Anyone else seen this before? bad pulley's diameter is 3" (+/-). Good pulley has a 6 3/4" diameter.

 

[jkahan]

here's what a good pulley looks like -- what the heck happened? alien abduction?
thing was running up until it suddenly stopped cutting (and it was obvious because I was cutting fairly tall field grass). Good pulley's diameter is 6 3/4".

 

[LD1]

What does the spindle feel like? Bearings shot? Locked up?

Looks like a two piece pulley that split and only left the lower half?

 

[Williy]

Tractor supply has pulleys and yes the cheap china
made pulleys will separate!

willy

 

[CobyRupert]

The nut (with the grease fitting) that holds the pulley onto the spindle is gone.
But which came first? Did pulley disintegrate, releasing tension on nut, nut fly off, followed by pulley? Seems like mowing would of stopped and noises would of been heard before nut came off.
Or did nut come off on it’s own, allowing pulley to spin (instead of locked) on spindle shaft and destroy itself?
Are spindle bearings gone and heating effects found weak link and destroyed pulley?

Did you find remains of pulley? Or nut?

It might be best to replace the whole spindle if you got it apart rather than chasing problems with partial replacement. Depends on how you value dollars vs time.

 

[arto98607]

I am not familiar with ZD1211-60 mower, but could it be that mowing 10 acres of lawns and fields with "fairy tall field grass" is asking bit too much of this type of mower in the long run?

 

[oldballs]

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[jkahan]

thank you everyone for your replies and my sincere apologies for not thanking you sooner.

As someone noted above, the outside part of the pulley and the inside hub of the pulley broke apart. Spindle is in good shape.

Besides the $80 price tag, the pulley replacement is easy - it's getting that deck out and lifted up to play with the blades and service the whole unit that's a bear.

I broke a pulley a couple of years ago as well (didn't record if it was the same side though).

I am using the mower to mow both lawns, and lumpy fields; this might explain the excessive wear, vibrations, etc...

Anycase, thanks all and again, sorry to drop out of my own thread; really appreciate the help.
--josh

 

[jkahan]

The nut (with the grease fitting) that holds the pulley onto the spindle is gone.
But which came first? Did pulley disintegrate, releasing tension on nut, nut fly off, followed by pulley? Seems like mowing would of stopped and noises would of been heard before nut came off.
Or did nut come off on it’s own, allowing pulley to spin (instead of locked) on spindle shaft and destroy itself?
Are spindle bearings gone and heating effects found weak link and destroyed pulley?

Did you find remains of pulley? Or nut?

It might be best to replace the whole spindle if you got it apart rather than chasing problems with partial replacement. Depends on how you value dollars vs time.

I did find the remains of the pulley -- intact. spindle and bearings were fine (plenty of grease)
really appreciated your help; thanks and again sorry for the long delay in responding.

 

[nyone]

I am not familiar with ZD1211-60 mower, but could it be that mowing 10 acres of lawns and fields with "fairy tall field grass" is asking bit too much of this type of mower in the long run?

I wouldnt think mowing tall grass with a 24hp diesel zero turn would be to much to ask. If it was I would expect the belts to be wearing out...this looks like the pully contact something and rolled it over.