peterson9934 4 #1 Posted July 5, 2015 I put a mower deck on my Commando 7 and it worked fine at first, but then the blades wouldn't disengage. Suggestions? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #2 Posted July 7, 2015 Just saw this post and sorry nobody got back to you. I only saw this once and it was my 857. I had the wrong belt on it and it wasn't making it loose enough to disengage the deck. The only other thing i could think of would be you have the belt on wrong.Here is a pic of what it should look like disengaged. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peterson9934 4 #3 Posted July 7, 2015 Thanks for the reply but unfortunately I have the other commando 7. Strange how it worked at first but then wouldn't disengage. Stalled the mower a couple of times at first too so maybe the belt is too small???? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #4 Posted July 7, 2015 I'm not familiar with the vertical shaft setup.Sorry! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,033 #5 Posted July 7, 2015 Do you know the model number of your deck?May be 5-7361 or 5-7362 These use a 8412 drive belt which is 1/2" x 86".This is a later manual but suspect the design is the samehttp://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/file/1211-mower-rotary-36in-rd-1971-5-0610-ccw-om-ipl-a-5284pdf/Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peterson9934 4 #6 Posted July 7, 2015 So the belt I have on now is a gates 1/2 x 85. According to the manual I need a 1/2 x 86. It says I need toro #8412. I think I'm reading that right. My model is 5-7361. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian01 481 #7 Posted July 7, 2015 That's the good thing bout these old machines...easy to figure out...belts won disenguage, really can only be 1 of 2 problems, belt to small or clutch needs adjusted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peterson9934 4 #8 Posted July 7, 2015 So 1 inch too small would prevent the blades from disengaging? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian01 481 #9 Posted July 7, 2015 Oh Yes, very well could. I have a Electro 12.the belt is stretched out just a littlebiy..goes on flat land great but when trying to pull a hill, will cut out til it kills the engine and will just smoke the belt...I gotta order a new one. 1" worth of tension is just enough to keep it engaged for sure. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peterson9934 4 #10 Posted July 7, 2015 Going to get the right one this afternoon. Thanks everyone for the help. I REALLY appreciate it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian01 481 #11 Posted July 7, 2015 No problem...that's what we're here for! Welcome to Red Square! And don't forget to post some pics! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,033 #13 Posted July 7, 2015 I am 99% sure this belt needs to be fabric covered and if it travels over a flat idler it should be a green Gates belt. They are designed to bend backwards because the cords are more central to the belt depth.Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peterson9934 4 #14 Posted July 7, 2015 This is what they gave me. I gave them the Toro part #. BTW thanks Garry. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peterson9934 4 #15 Posted July 19, 2015 Just wanted to finish this post....the new belt works. There are two holes on the mower deck that the hook for the lever goes in to. Didn't work when I hooked it to the front hole....worked when I hooked it to the rear hole. Thanks again everybody. Sorry it took so long to give an update. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Circus Red 0 #16 Posted September 14, 2019 Are there any belt tension adjustments for the . mower. The blades don’t always turn when engaged. This model says Wheelhorse Commando 8 with the vertical output Tecumseh engine. My Springfield was better engineered with a power take off rather than another belt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,033 #17 Posted September 14, 2019 Welcome to the forum. May be something in these service bulletins that helps. This model is often referred to as a V8. Here is everything we have on the 1970 model https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/search/?&q=1-4851&type=downloads_file&search_and_or=or&sortby=relevancy Have you removed the deck cover to see the condition of the spring loaded belt idler? Remove the belt and turn both spindles by hand to check the spindle bearings. Bearings usually get tight when they start to fail and then get real loose and noisy. Here is everything we have on one of the decks for this tractor. Different than what we normally see as the discharge is on the left and the blade spindles turn counter-clockwise. They also had a rear discharge model. https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/search/?&q=5-2365&type=downloads_file&search_and_or=or&sortby=relevancy Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
