Skipper 1,789 #1 Posted August 16, 2019 (edited) Mowed the lawn today on my test rig 195. Suddenly all hell broke loose. Brand new mule belt got shredded and disintegrated in 1-2 seconds. Cause? The mule pulley was worn out and split. This is the tally up on damage: New Mule belt 99" 5/8 New Drive belt, it tangled with mule belt and got damaged too. 92" 5/8 Snapped and stretched the tensioner spring on the big 60 deck. Bend the electric pto holder pin. Bend the mule drive tins. Bend the drive belt tins. Messed up the wiering for the electric pto. Rubber shavings and pieces all over to clean off and pick up. Time to sort it all out. All this mess and wasted money, just because I missed that the mule pulley had been worn thin, and simply just gave up living. Aaaarhg! I usually service and maintain meticulously, but I missed this. Let it be a reminder to all, to go thru all moving parts, and change them before it takes more with it when it lets go. This could have been a 5 minuts / 10$ maintanance. Edited August 16, 2019 by Skipper 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,719 #2 Posted August 16, 2019 Ouch!! I tend not to have the covers on the mule drives makes inspection easier.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Razorback 1,133 #3 Posted August 16, 2019 Yow!!!!! Don’t need that kind of excitement! Thx for the reminder. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,339 #4 Posted August 16, 2019 Oopps!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herder 2,355 #5 Posted August 16, 2019 Crap! At least you didn't get hit with shrapnel. 1 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 9,985 #6 Posted August 16, 2019 (edited) I don't have a cover on my Mule drive pulley either. Mainly because I remove the deck for cleaning after each mowing. I can't tell from the photo' of the worn pulley, but is it one of those pressed steel riveted up type? My C-125 had one of those when I got it. The bearings failed so now it is fitted with a more substantial, one piece steel one. Later type maybe? Edited August 16, 2019 by Stormin 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skipper 1,789 #7 Posted August 16, 2019 2 hours ago, pfrederi said: Ouch!! I tend not to have the covers on the mule drives makes inspection easier.... Yeah, that makes sense. I on the other hand got nosy kids, and I kind of like them having all their fingers and toes 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skipper 1,789 #8 Posted August 16, 2019 1 hour ago, Stormin said: I don't have a cover on my Mule drive pulley either. Mainly because I remove the deck for cleaning after each mowing. I can't tell from the photo' of the worn pulley, but is it one of those pressed steel riveted up type? My C-125 had one of those when I got it. The bearings failed so now it is fitted with a more substantial, one piece steel one. Later type maybe? Yes it is one of the flimsy ones. I got one of the solids on my wish list too. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goofey 89 #9 Posted August 19, 2019 On 8/16/2019 at 6:09 PM, Skipper said: Mowed the lawn today on my test rig 195 Looks a bit experimental. Care to spill the beans? I see new style deck altered pulley and a 195 newer had an electric pto. Engine I cant begin to imagine what is. You mentioned a diesel in another tread? I'm curious as hell. Please share. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Docwheelhorse 2,740 #10 Posted August 19, 2019 Been there and done that split pulley wise. Not as much damage on mine. Good luck fixing... sucks on the $$$ end Tony 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tuneup 1,452 #11 Posted August 20, 2019 Wheel horse or bucking bronco? Glad that you're safe. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skipper 1,789 #12 Posted August 22, 2019 On 8/19/2019 at 4:52 PM, Goofey said: Looks a bit experimental. Care to spill the beans? I see new style deck altered pulley and a 195 newer had an electric pto. Engine I cant begin to imagine what is. You mentioned a diesel in another tread? I'm curious as hell. Please share. Yeah, I know it ain't exactly standard. I use it to test a few ideas, and when I have the kinks sorted out, I will do a full restomod on it. So far this is what i have altered, and got to work flawless. Engine is a 25-30hp v-twin diesel. Runs sweet. tons of power. has cut my fuel usage from 2 gallons of gas to 2/3 gallon diesel for a complete mow of my lawn. Exhaust mock up done drivepulley enlarged, to allow the diesel to work in lover rpm range Electric PTO with larger diameter to run lower rpm on diesel oil temp and pressure gauges, voltmeter other pulley on frame for the deck belt and also altered the pulley bracket for the tiller Larger battery There are still few more things to try and experiment with, so I hope this winter will be when I can dive into it. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goofey 89 #13 Posted August 22, 2019 Thats seriously cool. It will be a monster. Cant wait for your build! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
