PTO Belt Flutter of Unknown Origin(s)

[hotajax 223]

Deck data: 05-48MS03, 48 inch side discharge mower, 1984

 

Maybe called the drive belt? Runs from the PTO, around a pair of idlers in the front, and finally back to the center pulley on the deck.

 

OK, this belt flutters, no matter how tight I screw in the adjusting knob at the front of the tractor.  The flutter occurs between the idler pulleys and the deck

The belt is not cut.  It is not a cheesy aftermarket belt, but a Toro belt. 

Where is the first place to be looking?  I do not hear bearing noise.  As far as I know, there was no damage to the center pulley from anything hitting it.  Of course there's always the possibility that my wife may have been driving it one day when I was not home.  If she drives the tractor like her car, I'm up the creek.

 

My first thought is to remove the covers on the deck and see what the deck belt is doing.  Also check for any wobble from the center shaft while the PTO is engaged. 

Other ideas?  Thanks in advance.

[rick 233]

I think that is normal for that belt.  All mine have done that for years.

 

[ri702bill 8,296]

19 minutes ago, hotajax said:

Where is the first place to be looking? 

... the manual for the deck!! My 36" on the C81 does the same thing - manual calls for , off the top of my head, one inch of deflection at mid belt - that gets the mule drive adjusted properly...

Be SURE the knob adjustment is not backing off due to vibration as you mow .......

[daveoman1966 3,745]

The 'flutter' is not unusual.  I've used a 48" side deck for 30+ years on my Bronco 14. 

PTO to deck belt MUST be on the INNER most 'V' of the engine PTO. 

With proper tension, the belt should deflect about 1 inch midway of the PTO pulley and the Mule Drive. 

Be CERTAIN that all 6 pulleys have NO WOBBLE or drag.  (2 on mule drive...4 on deck).

Sharpened and BALANCED blades would also be a factor.  

Check the deck belt tension SPRING-LOADED adjust arm. It ABSOLUTELY must be Free-Floating....very often dirt / debris gets under it, causing havoc.  DON'T lubricate this tension arm at all....grease is a dirt magnet. 

 

 

Edited May 21, 2023 by daveoman1966
change

[Ed Kennell 38,049]

                                                            Everything that Dave said. 

     I have found a small chunk of wood  wedged in the bottom of a couple Vee pulleys.  That can cause a belt vibration.  Check all six pulleys.

[hotajax 223]

Thanks, all.  I took off the mower deck covers and the deck belt.  I found that the idler pulley is just about fully seized and the deck belt has a partial tear in it.   Pretty sure I can get the pulley locally, as there are 5 different part numbers for it depending on who makes it.  Again, thanks for the help.

[953 nut 55,124]

20 hours ago, hotajax said:

I found that the idler pulley is just about fully seized and the deck belt has a partial tear in it.   Pretty sure I can get the pulley locally

                  Our Tractor Supply has a good selection of idlers and belts.

[daveoman1966 3,745]

The OEM belt is #1594.($35+)  The idler pulley is # 106144.($30 or so).  

I can send you both good used ---not abused---- parts for $40...SHIPPED. 

Paypal as Family/friends.

 

[peter lena 8,589]

@hotajax  done a lot of detailing and lubrication on the deck drag , situation , while there  , cleaned out original lubrication , and used a hi temp / stress grease  560 deg , lucas makes that . that collective drag , eats anything  involved , like a screaming pto clutch , noisy whyining bearings . on the re greasing of my mule drive pulley s, the operational difference is smooth / quiet , easy . originally had a similar  situation to yours . original set up , constantly failed . why not improve it?  for the purest , its a  you can't do that , situation . mine looks the same , but works with out  effort , only thing you see is the heim joint in place of the original trunnion . pete

[hotajax 223]

Where do you grease the mule drive?  Those are sealed bearings in those two idlers.  Thanks 

[hotajax 223]

2 hours ago, daveoman1966 said:

The OEM belt is #1594.($35+)  The idler pulley is # 106144.($30 or so).  

I can send you both good used ---not abused---- parts for $40...SHIPPED. 

Paypal as Family/friends.

 

Dave:  Thanks.  Already had the belt ( I keep a spare of all 3 belts ) and was able to go to a mower place that had the item in stock.  

[Ed Kennell 38,049]

8 minutes ago, hotajax said:

Where do you grease the mule drive?  Those are sealed bearings in those two idlers.  Thanks 

You can usually carefully lift the seal with a pointed knife tip.    Wash out the old grease, regrease, and snap the seal back in place.        Greasy Pete @peter lena is the grease guru.

[peter lena 8,589]

@hotajax  , in explaining a maintenance  change to an area , rather than turn someone off with  entire set up , just a reference to what I do. wide rubber bearing side shields is what you want , small putty knife or small pocket knife , carefully remove . wipe out current grease , use lucas red or EHD green grease to refill to same amount , really stands up to heat and angular stress , stops whyining bearing noise. have bought new mule drive pulleys , and quickly did a grease change out ,would also detail in the adjustment screw knob , lubricant .  that would be a good start , pete 

[Wheel-N-It 2,968]

On 5/21/2023 at 1:07 PM, Ed Kennell said:

                                                            Everything that Dave said. 

     I have found a small chunk of wood  wedged in the bottom of a couple Vee pulleys.  That can cause a belt vibration.  Check all six pulleys.

 

I've had the same thing happen to me a time or two. It sure can't be ruled out without checking. 

[hotajax 223]

1 hour ago, Wheel-N-It said:

 

I've had the same thing happen to me a time or two. It sure can't be ruled out without checking. 

Did that.  Thanks.

[hotajax 223]

10 hours ago, peter lena said:

@hotajax  , in explaining a maintenance  change to an area , rather than turn someone off with  entire set up , just a reference to what I do. wide rubber bearing side shields is what you want , small putty knife or small pocket knife , carefully remove . wipe out current grease , use lucas red or EHD green grease to refill to same amount , really stands up to heat and angular stress , stops whyining bearing noise. have bought new mule drive pulleys , and quickly did a grease change out ,would also detail in the adjustment screw knob , lubricant .  that would be a good start , pete 

Pete:  What do you mean "maintenance changes"?  Thanks.

[peter lena 8,589]

@hotajax  whenever I  encounter a chronic / repetitive  problem , I start looking around for the reason / cause .those whyining bearings , to me means LUBRICATION FAILURE , mower decks / pto belt driven units , are a COLLECTIVE DRAG FUNCTION , went after all of mine , realize its a lot to do . but each stage improved as I went and enhanced the function . my personal interest in mechanical drives , is what drives me , just because something is working , there is probably something right on the edge of failure . always look around for issues .rusty / clunky? lubrication , maybe a washer or 2 ?  how about rusty binding cables ? super lube . guy  I  sold a horse to , thought there was a clutch pedal issue , when I pointed out the lubrication effect , he was amazed, also the steering was not binding in rust , stay after areas , not that difficult  pete