Pickle 42 #1 Posted September 22, 2013 I thought I would ask some of you about your experiences with engine to deck mule drive that eats belts. I installed a new TORO brand belt on my 417A and it was shredded within 3 yard mowings. The bearings and pulleys seem fine, everything turns freely ,wondering if I have some other problem. Thanks, Pickle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WH nut 553 #2 Posted September 22, 2013 Yes, you have a problem. You need to check alignment on all pulleys, and a picture of the install will help so we can see what you have going on Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pickle 42 #3 Posted September 22, 2013 I'll try to reinstall the shredded belt enough to get some photo's Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,941 #4 Posted September 22, 2013 If you sight down the belt, all the pulleys have to be inline with each other... goal is to get that belt as straight as possible to survive as long as possible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pickle 42 #5 Posted September 22, 2013 More pics to follow. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,195 #7 Posted September 22, 2013 (edited) Is that deck just stuck under there for the photo? I ask because it doesn't appear that the "Tach-a-matic" is 'engaged' fully. Maybe something really worn out under there? I don't know that this is why the belt is shredding, but you would need to eliminate that as a possibility... Edited September 22, 2013 by Jeff-C175 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pickle 42 #10 Posted September 22, 2013 Is that deck just stuck under there for the photo? I ask because it doesn't appear that the "Tach-a-matic" is 'engaged' fully. Maybe something really worn out under there? I don't know that this is why the belt is shredding, but you would need to eliminate that as a possibility... The tach a matic may not be fully engaged & could be the whole problem, I also wondered about raising and lowering the deck while the PTO was engaged. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,256 #12 Posted September 23, 2013 The tach-a-matic doesn't look closed fully. Is the 'forked' part strattling the rod properly? Something else is bugging me. The pic in post #9 looks like the belt isn't twisted wrong but the pic in post #8 looks like it is. The backside of the belt should be riding on the wider pulley of the mule drive. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,195 #13 Posted September 23, 2013 I also wondered about raising and lowering the deck while the PTO was engaged. That shouldn't be a problem, I do it all the time... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dbartlett1958 96 #14 Posted September 23, 2013 When you unhook the drive belt, do the spindles turn freely? Any binding or drag? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-160 Auto 10 #15 Posted September 23, 2013 (edited) Do both pulleys in the mule spin freely? Is it possible the mule drive tension was too tight or too loose? Edited September 23, 2013 by C-160 Auto Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pickle 42 #16 Posted September 23, 2013 (edited) The belt in the picture is twisted and turned from when it flew apart. Spindles turn freely and are well greased. The mule pulleys spin freely as well. Edited September 23, 2013 by Pickle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-160 Auto 10 #17 Posted September 23, 2013 As someone else mentioned....that mid hitch where the deck mounts to doesn't look right. With engine off....can the deck be pushed forward and backward by hand much? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pickle 42 #18 Posted September 23, 2013 Don't know - I'm in the house tonight nursing a toothache - will try some things in the garage after a trip to the dentist tommorow. The belt tension may have been tighter than needed but I hate to see it flopping while I mow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoctorHfuhruhurr 132 #19 Posted September 23, 2013 I would also check the clearance on the bottom of the belt guard that's attached to the pulley's to make sure the belt isn't rubbing there. It's not viewable in the photos. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,967 #20 Posted September 23, 2013 I'm sure you will figure it out once your tooth stops hurting. Anyway, I just want to say thats a really nice 417 with the 48" Deck! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveoman1966 3,586 #21 Posted September 23, 2013 I concurr with another member in that the FORK (or YOKE) on the Tach-o-Matic bar isn't oriented or locked in correctly. The fork MUST engage the small rod at the top of the mid hitch to stabalize the deck. For correct alignment, the FORK (on the 3/4" bar) should be tiltled slightly forward to engage the alignment rod. If not, then the deck will slop back and forth, causing the belt flopping that the user refers to. Furthermore, the belt should maintain tension when the deck is raised or lowered....this is the 2nd reason for the alignment FORK. Here is the alignment FORK (I call it a YOKE,,,either way). 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,256 #22 Posted September 23, 2013 Mower Rotary 48in SD 1995-1996 78360 OM #3316-954.pdf Much better explanation daveoman. Check out the above manual which has a picture of the proper fork positioning. From the looks of it that seems to be your best bet. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pickle 42 #23 Posted September 23, 2013 Mower Rotary 48in SD 1995-1996 78360 OM #3316-954.pdf Much better explanation daveoman. Check out the above manual which has a picture of the proper fork positioning. From the looks of it that seems to be your best bet. Great manual with super information - I think perhaps the last time I had the deck off I may not have had the fork engaged - also there is some play in the atach-a-matic. I will look into it in more depth when I am free and have some spare garage time available. Thanks everyone! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #24 Posted September 23, 2013 Nice machine! Good Luck, Pickle! Take a Darvocet and look at the tractor in the morning! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pickle 42 #25 Posted September 24, 2013 (edited) Nice machine! Good Luck, Pickle! Take a Darvocet and look at the tractor in the morning! If only I could!!! - 800 ibuprofen and amoxicillin for 10 days. Up for work at 6 sharp, perhaps this weekend new belt and more happy mowing time. Edited September 24, 2013 by Pickle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
