Mower belt troubles

[john_bud]

Hi,

Mower is eating belts. Cub cadet 2185 with 48" deck. This spring it ate the belt from the engine to the deck. 5/8x110 inch. It was checked and to be expected. I put on a new belt -cha-ching! $40 bucks. Mowed for 2-3 hours and that belt got ate. Grrrr

Found the pullies that change the direction of the belt from verticle to horizontal were grumbly and rough. Also hotter than snot! Bought new pullies and a new belt. Cha-Ching! $80 bucks. Mowed for an hour and the belt was smelling hot. Put it away and when I started it today the belt came off. It had taken a set and had a nasty permanent bend to it where it went over the pulleys. Put it back on and got it to mow for about 15 min when the belt got ate. Grrrr

The old belt was a generic gates wrapped belt from the auto store and lasted 3 seasons. The next 2 were OEM (looked like gates). The PTO on the end of the horizontal engine seems to be way hot. It doesn't seem to be rubbing on anything and clicks on and off fine. All other pulleys are either new or tight.

What gives? I will get a goat before I pay 40+ bucks to mow the lawn! Just can't afford it.

Help!

jb

 

[MrJimi]

There is a special lawn tractor belt designed to do the job, it sounds like somebody sold you the wrong type. It may be the right length but wrong.
Also, have you checked pulley alignment with the belt on and engaged with the MOWER OFF !!

 

[john_bud]

Oddly enough, the generic Gates belt was the one that worked the best. The ones stamped on the belt with the Cub Cadet part number (can't get more "right" that that, can you?) lasted about 2 hours each.

What am I looking for in pulley alignment? It seems to be ok, but it sure is breaking belts, so....

jb

 

[MrJimi]

One thing that you mentioned in your first post that caught my attention..

This spring it ate the belt from the engine to the deck.

what spring? I would look there first and double check stuff. Is there a manual that would show something that your not seeing? belt routing, spring attachment point. Something.

 

[frank_f15]

not familar with your GT but you might want to check the belt keepers, if they are loose or out of position, the belt will jump and work but they will destroy quickly. just a thought

 

[RollTideRam]

One thing that you mentioned in your first post that caught my attention..

what spring? I would look there first and double check stuff. Is there a manual that would show something that your not seeing? belt routing, spring attachment point. Something.

I think he is talking about spring the season, not a spring on the mower.

 

[MrJimi]

I think he is talking about spring the season, not a spring on the mower.

How correct you are DOH
good catch

 

[kenmac]

Check your pulleys to see if they are aligned correctly. If the aren't, your belts will get hotter than they should & come apart

 

[john_bud]

I went out and checked and the pulleys are seemingly correct. There is no slop in them now and no wobbles. One thing about hot. The belts were getting hot, smell and feel. I have a small IR non-contact temp checker and used it on the crank mounted PTO pulley. Horizontal shaft engine. Just flipping it on and running the mower around the back yard (1/2 mile circle) the pulley got up to 178F. It's the same temp as the front of the engine basically. I flipped on the pto and turned it with the crank snout by hand (wrench) and it felt smooth.

It's got me stumped. I was hoping to find something semi -obvious before poping for a new belt.

Oh well, leaving for cub scout camp in the AM so it will have to sit for a bit.

Thanks for the inputs.

 

[dqdave1]

check belt when mower is raised up and also when lowered way down. Make sure routing is correct. Idler pulley may be culprit. Bent blade? Vibration may cause it. Does one spindle fell tighter than others? Use the generic belt again. Since you have a thermometer , run deck and measure temps at all pulleys and watch for a dramatic deference at a location.