Wheel Horse 310-8

[Rocky21 0]

My 1986 310's pulley that powers my deck is not turning with the clutch plate when engaged. It will engage and power the deck for a minute and then stop, causing the belt to smoke. So far I have replace a two bad pulleys up front, new deck drive belt and adjust everything. The motor pulley was not burned or warped and the facing on the clutch plate had no visible damage. All deck pulleys spin free as does the blades. Any help or suggetions would be appreciated.

[rmaynard 16,297]

Well first of all

When you say that the pulley is not turning, are you referring to the pulley of the PTO?

You say that the belt is smoking. That would indicated that the pulley is turning, but the belt is not. If that is the case, it has to be either in your deck or the mule drive pulleys.

I think a little more checking on your end is needed to determine why the belt is stopping. Are you sure it's the belt that is smoking, not the PTO clutch plate?

Bob

[Shuboxlover 481]

Check the belt tensioner pulley on the deck, it is non-greasable....I've had one freeze up on me and let the magic smoke out of my belt. Fairly cheap and easy to fix too. I want to say it was around $25 and about 8 min of my time.

good luck

[Duff 206]

Rocky, ! Glad to have you among us!

Which deck do you have? I've got a 37" SD on one of my 312-8's. Best cutting deck I've ever had, but it did the same thing you describe toward the end of last season. I found that one of the idler pulleys on the deck was locking up. In your case, you say it will spin for about a minute and then things come to a smoking halt. My guess is that you've got a bearing somewhere going south and it only takes a little heat from the friction of turning to seize it. By the time you get to it to check it it may have cooled off just enough to turn again. Check carefully to see if you feel any dragging or roughness in the turning of your pulleys without the belt on.

My money's on an idler pulley, especially if you'be already replaced the "front" (I am guessing you mean the mule drive?) pulleys. The idlers aren't greasable (is that a word?).

Duff :omg:

[rickv1957 74]

Hello and Rick

[gwgdog66 23]

:D Do you have the belt covers on the mower deck? Check those to make sure that they are not rubbing on the deck belt pulley's. been there and done did that before.

[Don1977 605]

Check the mule drive pulleys and cover. Make sure you have the spacer between the mule drive pulleys and one goes behind the back pulley. They turn in different directions if they are rubbing together it could be your problem.