Mowing Sycamore Balls

[317140]

I was servicing my 60" 7-Iron Deck before I put it on my 3520 to start mowing this year. I had sharpened the blades and greased the spindle bearings. I was checking the deck belt when I noticed a cut across the belt going almost all the way through. Since I knew I could not replace the belt after putting the mower on the tractor I decided to bite the bullet and replace it before mounting the deck. I went to my John Deere Dealer to get a new belt. Just for curiosity I asked the parts guy if he had seen a belt cut like this before. He replied it was probably cut by sycamore balls getting under the shields. When I informed him there were no sycamore trees anywhere near my property he changed his story to a gravel that did the damage. I really would have gotten a good laugh if I had not been out 70 bucks for a new belt.

 

[Zebrafive]

Nice of the parts guys to entertain us while taking our $$

 

[C-Range]

If the belt was cut across, how would that happen by something caught under a guard like a piece of gravel or the infamous and dreaded sycamore ball? I would continue to look for damage being caused elsewhere, such as the belt getting caught on something during install/removal of the deck, something nearby in storage, etc.

 

[317140]

I thought it was entertaining too. I am very particular about keeping the deck clean and bearings greased. The only thing I have ever seen under the shield was grass clippings. I think I probably had a belt with a defect. Well I'll chalk this one up to experience.

 

[Bird]

We had a big sycamore tree in the yard before we moved back to town, but I never concerned myself with the sycamore balls while mowing.:laughing: And I never had a belt cut.