Mule drive question

[maine home 0]

Still trying to figure out why I breaking belts? 

The belt keeps jumping from the outside pulley to under the inside pulley on the mule drive.

I feel it has something to do with the mule drive.

Could it be the nut that holds on the mule drive is over tight?

Only other thing I can come up with is the pulleys, They look OK?

On a GT1600. 

Is there any service or troubleshooting manuals on this problem?

If it may be the pulleys anyone got part numbers for them?

My first time question may still be on here?

Please & Thank you for your in put.

[ebinmaine 79,894]

Here's a link to your original thread. Pics in there. 

I don't know enough about the mule drives to help much. 

Are the pulleys loose on the shaft?

Does the nut wobble or have bad thread?

 

Have you verified the correct WIDTH of the belt?

[ebinmaine 79,894]

https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/topic/115965-would-like-info-please/

[maine home 0]

The nut is tight, I was wondering if I get it to tight because one of the spacers mushroom.

I was wondering how much space should be between the pulleys? Which spacer goes between the pulleys the short or long?

The belt size is 1/2" x 97"

 

Thank you for trying to help.

[oldlineman 1,758]

Do you have a twist in the drive belt?

[8ntruck 9,126]

I've had deck drive belts flip on the clutch pulley.  Tightening the mule drive solved that.  As I stated before, I run my belts with about 1/2" deflection on each side between the clutch pulley and mule drive pulleys.

 

I've never had a belt roll and jump like your's.

 

On belt routing, the tapered side of the belt goes in on the clutch pulley and inner pulley.  The flat side (outside) of the belt goes on the flat, outer mule drive pulley.

 

Inner mule drive pulley, tapered side of the belt in, outer mule drive pulley, tapered side away from the pulley.

 

The nut clamps on the spacers and inner races of the pulley bearings.  Tightness should not affect the bullies.  Having said that, I will also say I tighten mine to 30 or 40 ft lb - measured by my finely calibrated arm.

 

Might be worthwhile to tighten the mule drive pulleys without a belt on them to confirm that they spin freely.  If they don't,  you will be heating the bearings, bullies, and belt to unhealthy temperatures.  Have you noticed a burning rubber smell?

 

Hope this helps.

 

Please do post a description of the solution when you find one.  That might help someone else solve a similar problem in the future.

[Rick3478 455]

I have not seen one do this, but will try to address some of your questions.

The nut does not need to be very tight.  If you crushed a spacer, that's too tight.  Replace it.

The pulleys and shroud should be just far enough apart that they don't touch.  IIRC that puts the longest spacer in the middle.

You don't often see a 36" deck on a tractor over 12HP, but I won't judge.  Maybe you have a narrow gate or trees to go between.

Having said that, are you sure you are using the right belt?

I think most of the 36" decks use the 102741 belt, which is 1/2" x 97".

And the 42" decks I expected on this tractor use the 108834 belt, which is 1/2" x 98".

If you try to use a 42" belt on a 36" deck, the extra length will force you to jack the mule pretty far out to get it tight, which will rotate the pulley angles in a bad way.

And that's my first guess on a cause.