Please help! 54" Mower deck problems.

[98ramtough]

I have a recently new to me 1995 425 mower with a 54" deck. When I got it, the belt had a couple chunks missing out of the belt. This made an annoying thumping sound while I was mowing. I replaced the belt and the belt still seemed a little lose. So I went to the dealer and got a new tentioner spring. The belt still seems a little loose. While I am mowing, if the mower is on a slope the belt actually rubs on part of the deck and I can smell it and hear it. Also when I am mowing on flat ground and hit big bumps the belt actually rubs on part of the deck. Is there anyway to fix this? I can mow my yard very slowly and make it not rub at all, but I have 2 acres of grass and don't want to mow that slow. I have a 2305 with a 54C deck and I can mow 10mph plus and corner hard and it never rubs. Any help is GREATLY appreciated. I had the deck all apart, checked all the parts and cleaned and lubed everything. It just seems like the belt needs to be a little bit tighter?

 

[beenthere]

That is puzzling. I have a 425, and the 54" deck. Something is not right, and possibly something has been bent, or there is a bearing going out (like maybe the idler). Is it a Deere belt you put on new? If not, I'd start there.

Should not be loose, and should not rub on the deck.

 

[98ramtough]

Yes, it was a deere belt bought from the JD dealer for $90 or close to that.

 

[98ramtough]

Maybe pics help. This is the old belt and old spring and before I cleaned the deck. No I don't keep my decks looking like that, its old dirt and grease from a leaky quick connect. I have since cleaned and fixed the quick connect and the deck looks new. But this gives you an idea of the tight clearance around parts of the deck with the belt and how a belt that is slightly lose could rub.

 

[beenthere]

Then you have some deck bearing or other problems.
Can't decipher what they are, but a pic of the deck top without the belt shields would help for starters.

That pic was sure quick.

 

[beenthere]

After running the deck, are any of the bearings in the two idler pulleys or the three spindles hot to the touch?

The pics show the old belt and old tensioner spring.

 

[98ramtough]

They are pretty warm, but not hot. The pics do show the old spring and belt. I bought a new spring and a new belt and installed them but did not take pics of the deck with the new belt and spring since it did not fix my problem. How would a worn out bearing make the belt lose?

 

[Stargazer]

Are you sure you have belt on pullies correct. In pic 3 should it be on top(more inside) of idle pulley. Don't have JD but on MTD more than 1 way belt will fit on only 1 way is correct

YMMV

 

[98ramtough]

That could sure be a possibility. Maybe the previous owner put it on wrong??? I took those pics to be able to put the belt on right. I hope thats the problem!

 

[beenthere]

The belt is on correctly for the 54" deck.
Regards the "loose" fit...as long as the spring is pulling on the belt, and has not reached the end of its arm movement, then the belt should be tight enough. It isn't real tight anyway.

A bad idler or spindle bearing could cause the drive pulley to pull on the belt where the idler is jumping (bearing catching) and leave a loose belt further along it's length that can jump a pulley. When the belt jumps off the pulley, it usually leaves a tell-tale track (scuff) on the deck.

I'd let the deck set and run (not cutting) for 25-30 minutes, and watch the idler to see if it stays running smooth, or if it starts to jump like something is catching. Then check bearing temp when shut off. This is my strongest suspicion.

If no hot bearing, then I'd check the pulleys over very careful for packed debris, or bent/broken groove sides.