36in RD deck eating up belts

[matt monte 225]

Was looking for some insights from the experts as im clearly over looking something. Deck is shredding belts. Had those true blue belts to start with other than getting blue dust everywhere, deck worked as it should April/May/June. About 2 weeks ago, outta nowhere, it chewed up deck belt. I ordered the correct WH belts from A-Z, they weren't cheap. 1st mow today ate up new deck belt. Prior to ordering, I did the obvious, checked play in the 3 spindles and idler pulley. No major drag. Idler pulley spring seems to pivot correctly. What am i missing here? I have other WHs, b80,312 and a 308 but I built this C-100 over the last few years and enjoy using this one for weekly mow, runs great. Can i be running at to high of a RPM while cutting? Lawn is deep plush healthy grass. While not wet its definitely thick, clumpy almost, however that shouldn't be an issue. my 312 with a 42 SD cuts it without issue.  

Mower deck 9536MR01-41043-9197

belts  8411 & 102607

 

Thanks in advance for help!

 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,522]

Drive belt 102607 (1/2" x 89.12") when used on medium frame 43-1/2" wheelbase tractors

Drive belt 102741 (1/2" x 96.6") for B-Series & C-Series tractors with 45-1/2" wheelbase (Gates replacement BladeRunner 6638BR 17/32" x 96.75")

[matt monte 225]

yes im running the 89in drive belt and a 77in deck belt. something is not right on the deck

[Ed Kennell 42,169]

   Where is the damage? back side or vee side.

Edited June 26 by Ed Kennell

[matt monte 225]

im not sure, its shredded, ill pull deck and safety guards off tomorrow and snap a pic. on the blue belt, prior, it was in 50 pieces all over the lawn 

[matt monte 225]

weird, im not an idiot, wouldnt put belt on backwards as it appears to be sitting. Also it looks like it jumped out of pulley, in-between the center one.  Maybe that bar with idler pulley is to tight? maybe grass was to long/wet for this 10hp? Both are plausible but doubtful to be. Id like to figure out what im doing wrong

[Ed Kennell 42,169]

Well it's clear the belt is not in the lower center spindle pulley. It is in between the pulleys.

[matt monte 225]

i saw that, but just noticed something else. appears pulley on bottom is rusted thru, in center. maybe belt it getting thrown out?

[Ed Kennell 42,169]

1 minute ago, matt monte said:

i saw that, but just noticed something else. appears pulley on bottom is rusted thru, in center. maybe belt it getting thrown out?

Yes, I see that pulley is toast.

[wallfish 18,242]

I can see the hole in the pic and it's eating the belt

 

[matt monte 225]

Great...... I remember destroying pulleys in the past attempting to remove.  Anyone have an idea of pn# and where to purchase? Assuming i have to hunt down something used?

[Ed Kennell 42,169]

part number 107439 item 6       A to Z tractor for used parts.

 

You should inspect all the pulleys and replace if they are badly rusted.

 

Go to our manuals section to locate the manual and parts list for your deck.

Edited June 27 by Ed Kennell

[Brockport Bill 1,971]

You didn't indicate if deck was new to you this spring when you began using it?

I have found with obtaining older used decks that those left outside or those not well maintained can have common issues. One is an old pulley often has corrosion rust nodules or bumps in the pulley v slots meaning the v on the belt is not running over a smooth clean pulley v surface which could chew up a belt running at high rpm's??? Another is the slot in a torsion bar is often worn with an irregular slot causing the rubber bushing washer to not function as perfectly as it should..I usually choose to get a new torsion bar so the bushing slides properly and idler tension is smooth and even ..Of course the obvious is to remove the belt and hand turn each pulley and spindle to be certain no resistance and that one isn't frozen? Good luck..

.

 

[Brockport Bill 1,971]

Other obvious things to check?? Sharp blades and full throttle but important that underneath of shell is kept clean of accumulated grass to insure good discharge of grass and prevent overload stress on capability of deck unit?? Other basic sure you know only cut top 1/3 of grass blade and keep height adjustment lever up on high setting...don't mow damp grass.....while your doing detective work, I'd also check to be sure the mule pulleys are turning freely? 

[Brockport Bill 1,971]

i noticed comments from other members in the thread that they see some rot and maybe a corrosion hole in the one pulley V slot ?????????

As an added suggestion to my earlier comment -- if you plan to keep any of the pulleys that appear to have bearings in good working order, i would at the least use a round file and sand paper and clean out any rust in the pulleys V groves to make the pulley surface as smooth as possible for the belt to ride in ??

[ri702bill 9,533]

6 hours ago, Brockport Bill said:

often has corrosion rust nodules or bumps 

That could also describe a lot of us!!!

[JimSraj 515]

10 hours ago, matt monte said:

Great...... I remember destroying pulleys in the past attempting to remove.  Anyone have an idea of pn# and where to purchase? Assuming i have to hunt down something used?

You could try 8Ten for the pulleys if you don’t have any luck with A-Z. 

[matt monte 225]

deck was sitting outside for years. Whats odd is no rot on deck itself. I media blasted, checked spindles for free play, greased fittings. I replaced idler pulley with one id had and replaced those plastic bushings it slides on. new blades as well. how that rusted pulley got by me ill never know. Time to break out the torch to heat her up. I have pullers but they seem to mar up pulley on removal.

[matt monte 225]

gonna work at removal today, ill post my findings as always thank you to everyone here. 

[Brockport Bill 1,971]

good idea replacing those rubber bushing washers on torsion bar -- i typically do so also, they get hard and crack - 

 

Fyi -- i have had to cut a few of those pulleys off -- used penetrant for weeks plus heat - sometimes with no success -- cutting them off is nightmare

 

good luck

[Ed Kennell 42,169]

Use the two nail bar puller trick. They reach under the pulley to the hub.

 

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,522]

I always thought the C-100 was a long frame tractor with a 45-1/2" wheelbase and the B-Series at the time was a medium frame.

Matt is using a drive belt for the medium frame 43-1/2" wheelbase.

[matt monte 225]

my tractor is the combination of 3 parts tractors. At this point i dont recall if this frame the B80, the C-125 or the C-100. I scored them all around the same time. I stripped them down and made the one tractor outta  the useable parts. I suppose to purist its frowned upon but they were all headed for the scrapper if i didn't make a move

[ebinmaine 72,988]

6 hours ago, gwest_ca said:

I always thought the C-100 was a long frame tractor with a 45-1/2" wheelbase and the B-Series at the time was a medium frame.

 

 

 

Correct on the C100 being Long frame. 

 

1974 and 1975 only the B series was Medium frame.  

[matt monte 225]