2stage snow thrower idler pulley

[Rockcrawler69 15]

Finally got everything together. 1996 520 H with 2 stage snow thrower.  For 10 mins  I was impressed at how far this thing was throwing slushy snow. Then all of a sudden, it all went to crap🤪

Blower wasn’t lifting anymore and then I looked at my nice new $45 green Gates belt from Napa just turning to powder🤬

Shut the blower down, Got it back to the garage, realized the mid mount fell out, somehow, and my idler pulley decided to somehow allow the belt guide (90* piece of steel) attached to it and start eating my belt.🤬🤬🤬 

My question, do I need that little piece of steel on there or can I cut it off?  
Before I started the day that piece was on the bottom side of the pulley completely out of the way. Not sure if coming out of the mid mount had anything to do with this or not. I’ll put up a couple of other pix. 

Edited December 9, 2024 by Rockcrawler69
Spelling error

[Rockcrawler69 15]

Picture showing the steal 90 “belt guide” hitting top and bottom of the belt 

 

[WHX?? 50,691]

No do not cut it off. They did not put it there because it looks good. It needs to be facing forward I believe. It is held on and in position by the pulley mounting bolt. 

If the blower dropped out of it's mid bracket all hell could break loose. Finding out why it dropped out might be a bigger concern. 

On the belt we like to use TSC Huskee belts. Half the price and just as good. NAPA belts and filters are just too dang expensive these days. 

[Rockcrawler69 15]

Good to know. Thanks WHX. I’ll put the bracket in the forward position and see what’s going on in the mid mount. 

[ebinmaine 70,668]

6 hours ago, Rockcrawler69 said:

see what’s going on in the mid mount

 

Check to see if there's a hole for a locking pin. 

 

[Red-Bovine 334]

Yes, that part should be pointing forward.

[Red-Bovine 334]

Here are som epics of correct belt route and part from both sides.

[Red-Bovine 334]

Back side.

[WHX?? 50,691]

43 minutes ago, Red-Bovine said:

Yes, that part should be pointing forward.

Thank you for verifying that Red  ... It was too cold out to go and look... 

[peter lena 9,085]

@Rockcrawler69  done a lot of experimentation  on W/H  belt driven anything , number one is  bearing lubrication failure , that belt fraying , is showing you the poor rotational function resistance , personally have cleaned out and re greased , any idler type pulley I had also  you can make up a duplicate , with a larger bearing , insert  at tractor supply . the  difference  in  any movement detailing , is amazing , smooth  , quiet , easy moving . bet your PTO LEVER ENGAGEMENT is also anything but quiet , smooth easy . since doing that to my horses , belt driven anything is my first change out, this basic also refers to mower deck bearings , same lubrication failure . my PTO belt drive , down to unit , moves easily by hand , thats your failure area , showing  itself , with rough  belt fraying resistance . wide rubber bearing grease shields , are easily removed , cleaned out , lucas green chassis grease  , 550 deg flash point , as said my drive belt , moves by hand , no squealing . screaming , resistance , bet the bearings are shot / rough  . pete

[WHX?? 50,691]

 

In case you have not met Pete Crawler there is not a door in his house that squeaks... 

[Rockcrawler69 15]

20 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

Check to see if there's a hole for a locking pin. 

 

There is. I remembered taking the mower deck off and there was one on there. I'll definitely be putting that back in!  Thanks!

[Rockcrawler69 15]

14 hours ago, peter lena said:

@Rockcrawler69  done a lot of experimentation  on W/H  belt driven anything , number one is  bearing lubrication failure , that belt fraying , is showing you the poor rotational function resistance , personally have cleaned out and re greased , any idler type pulley I had also  you can make up a duplicate , with a larger bearing , insert  at tractor supply . the  difference  in  any movement detailing , is amazing , smooth  , quiet , easy moving . bet your PTO LEVER ENGAGEMENT is also anything but quiet , smooth easy . since doing that to my horses , belt driven anything is my first change out, this basic also refers to mower deck bearings , same lubrication failure . my PTO belt drive , down to unit , moves easily by hand , thats your failure area , showing  itself , with rough  belt fraying resistance . wide rubber bearing grease shields , are easily removed , cleaned out , lucas green chassis grease  , 550 deg flash point , as said my drive belt , moves by hand , no squealing . screaming , resistance , bet the bearings are shot / rough  . pete

Thank you Pete.   I'll tear into this weekend!