I have noticed some grass debris around the spindle with the plastic cover but nothing too large. I'll have another look at the idler wheel to make sure it's lined up. The end of the spring on the idler wheel arm wore a groove into the metal so I switched it to the hole on the top of the idler arm bracket. Same result, broken belt.
X320 mower belt keeps breaking.
- Thread starter Pibster
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I have noticed some grass debris around the spindle with the plastic cover but nothing too large. I'll have another look at the idler wheel to make sure it's lined up. The end of the spring on the idler wheel arm wore a groove into the metal so I switched it to the hole on the top of the idler arm bracket. Same result, broken belt.
I have the 48" deck on my X500 and have completely given up on those plastic spindle covers. I would blow them out with the leaf blower after every mow and they would still get packed full of debris. I've had them off now for 3 seasons and the spindle area stays clean as a whistle.
Nothing is perfect. A machine is a machine and green machines use the same cheap parts in certain areas as do other machines.
Yep, a worn idler bracket can contribute to a belt breaking if it allows the belt to get pinched. Question is, has this done this since new and possibly was there also a bend from something before you had gotten the deck. A weird thing that happens on the vee idler is that the bearing comes loose in the bore allowing the pulley to wander on the bearing.
radios1
Elite Member
that wouldn't cause a clean break, though, you'd see signs of extreme wear..
For anyone following this thread: there's a known problem with the Edge 42" deck used on the X300 series. On the right hand ("passenger") side the height adjustment bolt is too close to the belt. On my mower, the belt actually touches the adjustment nut (when not running) if the mowing height is set to anything 3" or above. There's a service bulletin from years ago that instructs the service person to cut 1/2" off that bolt, which won't do any good on my machine. There's a YouTube video showing a fix that requires some complex welding. I have recently spoken to an attorney who intends to file a class action lawsuit against JD for what is obviously a design flaw that has cost owners thousands of dollars in replacement belts, but most of these mowers will be in the junkyard well before that can get past discovery.
Diggin It
Super Star Member
Oh goody, millions for the attorneys, pennies for the users.
radios1
Elite Member
Please post that link, there's probably an easier/cheaper way to fix this, maybe adding an additional idler pulley to keep the belt away!..
The forum won't let me post a link until I have three posts... You can search Youtube for "John Deere x300 mower belt breaking prematurely"
I found another way to fix it. May or may not work for you. First, make absolutely sure that the mower is leveled. This is important, because you're going to cut a chunk off the socket head screw (part M164280, shown as 26B on JD diagrams at XXXX://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/sidebyside/equipment/68603/referrer/navigation/pgId/2424937) --replace XXXX with the proper command.
That's the bolt that holds the mower up. Examine that bolt on the right hand side ("passenger" side) of the mower. You will likely find that the belt rubs against it and/or the nut that holds it in place. If so, you can cut the excess off. At the same time, make sure that the "lift link" (part M164279, shown as 27B on the previously referenced diagram) is placed so that the longer side faces up. (This will make sense when you disassemble the bracket.) With the longer part of the link facing up, it's actually possible to put the nut behind the bracket, which clears the belt. In order to tighten the nut, however, you have to prop up the right hand side of the mower deck to expose the nut. I did it with a piece of 2x4 on edge.
I found another way to fix it. May or may not work for you. First, make absolutely sure that the mower is leveled. This is important, because you're going to cut a chunk off the socket head screw (part M164280, shown as 26B on JD diagrams at XXXX://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/sidebyside/equipment/68603/referrer/navigation/pgId/2424937) --replace XXXX with the proper command.
That's the bolt that holds the mower up. Examine that bolt on the right hand side ("passenger" side) of the mower. You will likely find that the belt rubs against it and/or the nut that holds it in place. If so, you can cut the excess off. At the same time, make sure that the "lift link" (part M164279, shown as 27B on the previously referenced diagram) is placed so that the longer side faces up. (This will make sense when you disassemble the bracket.) With the longer part of the link facing up, it's actually possible to put the nut behind the bracket, which clears the belt. In order to tighten the nut, however, you have to prop up the right hand side of the mower deck to expose the nut. I did it with a piece of 2x4 on edge.
I am almost ready to get rid of this X320. I have been using the cheap belts for a year now and they last for about a half season before breaking. Last week I decided to try the OEM belts again, $92 and it lasted 5.4 hours before it snapped. Pulleys are tight, blades are spinning freely and I cut the bolts off that hang down. It must be something else. I have lost all faith in JohnDeere products.
Richard001
Veteran Member
Pibster,
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-lawn-garden/425157-link-belt-x300-mower-deck-3.html
See post #25
Richard
radios1
Elite Member
My LA145 PTO was always engaged at full speed, and I never had a belt break or squeal after hundreds of hours!!. I am 100% convinced that there is a design flaw in the X300 series that causes this problem. it seems JD was trying to put out a lawn tractor with seemingly impressive features, but then, trying to penny pinch on the quality..
Some folks have a time with these belts breaking. I make sure they know about the MIR switch rather than cycling the deck switch constantly to back up. The new Accel deck doesn't seem to have this problem. The belt is thinner and 2 inches shorter. For only 79.99$ since I know ya priced....
That doesn't make sense. Just to confirm, are you talking about the belt from the PTO clutch to the deck or the deck belt that runs the spindle pulleys?
The X300 and X500 share the same frame, lift mechanism and same 48-inch and 54-inch mower decks. So if there was a design issue the X500 models would be having the same problem. I'm currently at 325 hrs on my X500 and both the primary and secondary deck belts still look perfect.
Diggin It
Super Star Member
My X300 only has one belt that routes around the PTO and the spindle pulleys. My Crapsman has the same set-up but can be engaged at full throttle with no slapping or bogging. Only thing I can figure is the routing or tension of the idler spring.
radios1
Elite Member
mine only uses 1 belt to run the spindle pulleys. the other belt is for the wheel drive, so I only have 2 belts!..
