Jump to content
formariz

What is destroying my belts?

Recommended Posts

formariz

This is the third belt this last year on this deck. I have changed one pulley and the idler. The other two pulleys have nothing on them that would cause this. The same thing happen to first belt in beginning of season before I made any changes. After changes same thing is happening to belts. They all look exactly the same. Everything is aligned, and turn freely. Just driving me nuts. 

Any ideas as to what is causing it?

image.jpeg

image.jpeg

image.jpeg

image.jpeg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
elcamino/wheelhorse

What brand of Belt's are you using ?

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
formariz

First two were original Toro. After second one got tired of spending that much since it was probably going to happen again so I got a generic brand. All three look exactly alike.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
AMC RULES

Tried a kevlar belt yet?   :scratchead:

  • Like 4

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
formariz
6 minutes ago, AMC RULES said:

Tried a kevlar belt yet?   :scratchead:

Actually the one that came with deck was a Kevlar belt and looked the same way. I got deck with a C125 that sat for many years, so the first thing I did was to change it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
cheesegrader

From the look of your belts, I wonder if your drive pulley is spinning on a belt that is not moving.

Check you spindles/bearings.  One (or more) of them may be shot, causing the belt to stop.

  • Like 3

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
formariz

If one looks close to the areas where a section is missing, and there are about 8 or so in the whole belt, one notices that they are about all the same length and have polished round ends and a polished bottom. It almost looks as if belt stopped and blades kept turning ,therefor pulley burning the belt in that area. I just don't see how that could happen. As it is being used it cuts perfectly without any obvious noises or smells.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
953 nut

Could one of the pulleys in the system be bent or have a pinch point that causes the belt to jerk as it goes through?

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
elcamino/wheelhorse

Are all the spindles 90 degrees in relation to the deck surface? If one is not straight it maybe causing the problem. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
formariz
4 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

Could one of the pulleys in the system be bent or have a pinch point that causes the belt to jerk as it goes through?

 

 

Checked all of above, all pulley surfaces are smooth originally the two qestionable ones were changed. All three pulleys are aligned and spindles are perpendicular to deck. Deck shell is also straight and not twisted.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
WNYPCRepair
43 minutes ago, cheesegrader said:

From the look of your belts, I wonder if your drive pulley is spinning on a belt that is not moving.

Check you spindles/bearings.  One (or more) of them may be shot, causing the belt to stop.



I'm thinking one is randomly seizing, then starting to turn again, but you would think the belt would smoke. 

 

 

38 minutes ago, formariz said:

 

If one looks close to the areas where a section is missing, and there are about 8 or so in the whole belt, one notices that they are about all the same length and have polished round ends and a polished bottom. It almost looks as if belt stopped and blades kept turning ,therefor pulley burning the belt in that area. I just don't see how that could happen. As it is being used it cuts perfectly without any obvious noises or smells.

 



My original thought was something was slicing them, due to the small cuts that seem to match the edges of the missing parts. Do the belts look melted, burned, etc?

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
WHX??

Does the belt feel hot to the touch after cutting? Could a spindle bearing be getting tight after some run time. Could be tensioner not be releasing causing the PTO to be trying to engage the belt when it's not supposed to be?  Just trying to cover all the bases here. I would find it unlikely that the blades would coast that much to wreck a belt in that short of time. I take it there are not blade brakes on your deck? Maybe you could walk beside it while someone is cutting to see if anything funky is going on

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
formariz
3 minutes ago, WNYPCRepair said:



I'm thinking one is randomly seizing, then starting to turn again, but you would think the belt would smoke. 

 

 



My original thought was something was slicing them, due to the small cuts that seem to match the edges of the missing parts. Do the belts look melted, burned, etc?

 

Only the missing areas look like the result of some kind of abrasion. Then you have all of these strange "cracks".

 

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
WHX??

I can speak  for all of here that that's a big 10-4 on seeing that happen to a belt....just not on three quality belts in a year. ..somethins gotta be rotten in Denmark so to speak.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
daveoman1966

IDEAS:  1) remove the belt and run each spindle with an electric drill at full speed (with socket to fit top nut). They should NOT bind at all. 2) Test action of the SPRING TENSIONER and the IDLEY PULLEY. if the spring is TOO LOOSE, belt will drag and burn.  3) Dirt / debris accumulated under the pulleys? ? ? ?    4) A low-quality belt will not withstand the 'back-bending' that an OEM belt is designed for.    

  • Like 4

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
Terry M

Are you maybe driving too fast through the grass while cutting? 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
Ed Kennell

It looks like the belt is hitting the bottom of one of the pulleys instead of on the sides.    Is it possible one of the pulleys is too wide for the belt you are using?

Did you check the very bottom of the  pulleys for a burr?

Edited by ekennell
  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
Terry M
15 hours ago, Terry M said:

Are you maybe driving too fast through the grass while cutting? 

Cas , I just thought of this because it was happening to me on an old Bolens tractor I once cut grass with.   Belt would intermittently stop in the taller thicker grass and the belts would end up looking like your pics above.

Kinda weird how you can't find the "smoking Gun ":eusa-think:.....  although I think the guys above probably will be right..

 

Just my 2 cents:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
gwest_ca

The cords that give the belt it's strength appear to be very close to the back side of the belt. Usually they are closer to the center for a belt that is designed to bend backwards over a flat idler pulley.

 

Garry

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
formariz
54 minutes ago, gwest_ca said:

The cords that give the belt it's strength appear to be very close to the back side of the belt. Usually they are closer to the center for a belt that is designed to bend backwards over a flat idler pulley.

 

Garry

This one is a generic brand belt. However the first two were the correct Toro genuine belts and yes they were different in the aspect that the reinforcing cord was at about the center. Nevertheless the same thing happened, the second one actually lasting much less than the others.

5 hours ago, ekennell said:

It looks like the belt is hitting the bottom of one of the pulleys instead of on the sides.    Is it possible one of the pulleys is too wide for the belt you are using?

Did you check the very bottom of the  pulleys for a burr?

Never paid attention to that actually since  although first two were correct and genuine Toro belts. I am going to check that tonight.

1 hour ago, Terry M said:

Cas , I just thought of this because it was happening to me on an old Bolens tractor I once cut grass with.   Belt would intermittently stop in the taller thicker grass and the belts would end up looking like your pics above.

Kinda weird how you can't find the "smoking Gun ":eusa-think:.....  although I think the guys above probably will be right..

 

Just my 2 cents:)

That condition would not really happen here. I have a highly "manicured" lawn which is cut at least twice a week. I also cut it relatively slow so I get a good quality cut going over it a second time at a different angle. (I know i got issues, but it also is one of the few times I got a legitimate excuse to be riding tractors so I have to make the most of it.)

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
formariz
18 hours ago, daveoman1966 said:

IDEAS:  1) remove the belt and run each spindle with an electric drill at full speed (with socket to fit top nut). They should NOT bind at all. 2) Test action of the SPRING TENSIONER and the IDLEY PULLEY. if the spring is TOO LOOSE, belt will drag and burn.  3) Dirt / debris accumulated under the pulleys? ? ? ?    4) A low-quality belt will not withstand the 'back-bending' that an OEM belt is designed for.    

All but #1 have pretty much been ruled out. I will try that one tonight.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
squonk

Don't forget  the mule drive pulleys and bearings.

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
elcamino/wheelhorse

Squonk, that was what I was thinking , A small twig got caught in the mule drive and messed up the belt , bits and pieces of the belt dropped to the deck and ate the deck belt up in chunks. Also had a problem where I was sold an automotive belt in error and it did not last anytime.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
formariz
18 minutes ago, squonk said:

Don't forget  the mule drive pulleys and bearings.

That belt never has a problem. Its only the one that drives blades.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
daveoman1966

IDEAS:  (5) Are the 3 blades sharp? ? ?   MAYBE....if blades are dull, the belt would have to work much harder to spin the pulleys, possibly leading to belt drag / burn. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×
×
  • Create New...