HokieAg07 129 #1 Posted August 24, 2013 (edited) I replaced a very worn PTO belt recently with a new Napa belt. I tried the A100 which is what my research told me to use but I could not get anywhere close to getting the belt on it was so tight so I swapped it for a A101 which is 103" and adjusted the tension prior to mowing and then again after a few minutes of break in. When I put the mower away I noticed that the 90 degree twist in the belt between the PTO and the mule drive had undone itself and now the belt was riding upside down on the idler pulley on the mule. I took it apart and corrected the problem but it has happened again. All pulleys seem to be in good working order. Any ideas on why this is happening? I know I should have gone with the OEM belt, although this NAPA belt is much better than the crappy blue Huskee belt from TSC that was on it prior! Edited August 24, 2013 by HokieAg07 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cheesegrader 433 #2 Posted August 24, 2013 I have a Toro 113072. This should measure 102" x 1/2" Maybe 103" is just a little too loose? Do you have the mule drive specific for the 60" deck? Using the regular mule is OK, until you lift the deck, when the belt gets too slack and will jump. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HokieAg07 129 #3 Posted August 24, 2013 The first Napa Belt I tried was 102" but there was no way that belt was going on it was so tight so I went with the 103" belt and it was just about right. It is the correct mule drive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cheesegrader 433 #4 Posted August 24, 2013 Do you have the drive belt and spindle belt reversed on the drive pulley? That might cause these problems. Drive belt on the inside track of the PTO? Does the pulley assembly on the Mule drive pivot freely, and is the spring tension enough to bring the assembly forward and take up slack when the deck is lifted? Mine is a little tight to get on, but once in place, I have to tension the mule drive most of the way out to get things right. I can't imagine a longer belt would do anything but slip. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HokieAg07 129 #5 Posted August 25, 2013 PTO belt is under the spindle belt on the deck like it should and PTO belt in the inside groove on PTO clutch. Ill check on how easily the mule pivots tomorrow before I mow. That 102" belt just seemed entirely too tight to even begin to go on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveoman1966 3,841 #6 Posted August 25, 2013 The OEM belt #113072 (just < $50 bux) should make the correct fit and likely be superior than aftermarket substitutes....for a few bux more, that is. This geometry of the OEM belt is designed to perfectly mate both sides of the V pulleys. If a belt does not mate the V perfectly, it will have a propensity to slip or roll. Making such a belt tighter does not help. To the contrary, it exasperates the issue. Once a belt rolls, go buy another one. Secondly, an aftermarket belt may ride just a little bit lower or higher in the V pulley either of which alters the effective working length. The combined effect of ill-fitting geometry and shallow or high attributes of the belt should persuade an owner to buy the OEM belt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
