Ed Kennell 38,747 #1 Posted April 28, 2015 The clutch release lever would not stay up in the released position, so I removed the belt guard to look for the problem. I found the belt had been running on the outboard flange of the idler pulley instead of between the flanges. The flange had worn a groove in the back side of the belt. I removed the tranny drive pulley and the idler pulley and they both seem OK and are in alignment with the engine pulley when I reassembled, but when I started the engine, the belt jumped over to the flange when I disengaged the clutch idler. My fix was to move the foot rest in until its flange had 1/16" gap with the flange of the idler. The foot rest flange acts as a guide to keep the belt from jumping over the pulley flange when it is in the released position. I did have to cut a notch in the foot rest to clear the support rod. The belt is staying on and the release stays in the up released position. Anyone ever experience this type of problem ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveoman1966 3,762 #2 Posted April 29, 2015 You shouldn't have to cut away the footrest to resolve this. I'm thinking that the idler pulley is NOT perpendicular and / or has been twisted somehow to let the belt jump onto the flange. That idler pulley is 3/4" wide (on the flat) and the ridge is only 1/8" high and it wouldn't take much of a bend to let it jump. Is this an OEM belt (108501)?. Did you try to flip the belt...put the worn edge on the inside. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,747 #3 Posted April 29, 2015 I don't know if the belt is OEM. This is a tractor I just picked up recently. I don't have any history on it but It had been maintained by a dealer. The idler appears to be in the correct position. The groove is worn in the center of the back side of the belt, but, I will try your idea of turning the belt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cleat 6,408 #4 Posted April 29, 2015 I have the idlers on all 3 of my 520's spaced out slightly with thin washers to center the belt. You can measure between the lower belt outer edge to the frame and the top belt with the idler should be in the same spot. If the idler is in slightly from that position then simply pull the idler pulley and add a washer of the correct thickness to compensate. You may need a new belt for this to work perfectly however. Cleat Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
