hotajax 223 #1 Posted April 28, 2020 This is for a 314-8. The belt causing the problem is the drive belt: PTO to the mower deck. This tractor has an arrangement with the belt coming off the pto, going forward and down to an idler pulley on the front, and then going backwards to the deck. The idler pulley on the front has one pulley to accept the V-part of the belt, and another pulley that accepts the flat part or back of the belt. The belt coming FROM this pulley goes backward to the deck and dances like crazy, I'd estimate about two inches with a load on. The belt coming from the mower deck is nice and stable. The belt is a brand new Toro Wheel Horse belt, and I have tightened the adjustment on the front of the tractor to the point where I can barely squeeze the two parts of the belt together midway between the pulleys. I owned this machine for 36 years, and it isn't the first belt I've put on. Looking for suggestions as to what his causing the issue. Could the problem be with the pulley on the front of the tractor? Thank you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tarcoleo 119 #2 Posted April 28, 2020 (edited) Got to be the idler pulley, likely the bearing. Replace the whole pulley with new bearing. To check, remove belt and make sure the deck pulley turns easily and inspect idler. Edited April 28, 2020 by tarcoleo 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotajax 223 #3 Posted April 28, 2020 Tarc: Will most certainly give this a whack. Thanks, bud. Hot A Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveoman1966 3,745 #4 Posted April 28, 2020 It may also be a bad bearing in the center spindle, causing it to turn HARD...making the belt jerk trying to overcome that bearing resistance. Just a thought. Look at the double belt center spindle pulley...it may have been damaged from something....maybe. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotajax 223 #5 Posted April 28, 2020 Dave ( and ) Tarcoleo: I replaced the flat idler pull on the front of the tractor, it makes no difference. So, I engaged the PTO at low speed and could hear a definite rattle coming from somewhere on the deck. So, it it's making the belt wobble, gotta be at least the center spindle. Are these things a pain in the butt to replace? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveoman1966 3,745 #6 Posted April 28, 2020 6 minutes ago, hotajax said: Dave ( and ) Tarcoleo: I replaced the flat idler pull on the front of the tractor, it makes no difference. So, I engaged the PTO at low speed and could hear a definite rattle coming from somewhere on the deck. So, it it's making the belt wobble, gotta be at least the center spindle. Are these things a pain in the butt to replace? Take BOTH belts off of center spindle. Turn it by hand...;there should be near ZERO resistance and it should NOT wobble at all. Also, eyebell the PULLEY itself...do you see any dents or dings in it that 'crushes' the shape of the 'V' form ANYWHERE on the circumference of Top or Lower 'V'. I have a replacement spindle assembly with good bearings, but can't help if the top pulley lis shot. If it is bent a little bit, straighten it with pliers. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotajax 223 #7 Posted April 28, 2020 Dave: I'll play with this in a day or two. Will contact you if the spindle is toast. Question: Is the double pulley keyed to the spindle? Can it be separated with a wheel puller or is it a trip to the machine shop? Thanks for answering up. Much appreciated. Hot A Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotajax 223 #8 Posted April 28, 2020 Dave: I do not hear any bearing noise. Usually when they go bad you hear all sort of ungodly noises, right? Only that low grade rattle at low speed. I'll certainly be looking for a bent flange. Thanks again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveoman1966 3,745 #9 Posted April 28, 2020 21 minutes ago, hotajax said: Dave: I'll play with this in a day or two. Will contact you if the spindle is toast. Question: Is the double pulley keyed to the spindle? Can it be separated with a wheel puller or is it a trip to the machine shop? Thanks for answering up. Much appreciated. Hot A If the diameter of the spindle SHAFT is 3/4"...it has a key slot. If the diameter is smaller at 5/8", there is NOT a keyway. You can also see if the pulley has a slot by backing off the top hex nut....you'll be able to see a slot...or not. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotajax 223 #10 Posted April 28, 2020 53 minutes ago, daveoman1966 said: If the diameter of the spindle SHAFT is 3/4"...it has a key slot. If the diameter is smaller at 5/8", there is NOT a keyway. You can also see if the pulley has a slot by backing off the top hex nut....you'll be able to see a slot...or not. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotajax 223 #11 Posted April 29, 2020 Holy cow. I just looked online for prices for the double pulley in the center. Cheapest was around $175. I just remembered I have an old deck in the barn that still has the double pulley for the center spindle. No reason why it shouldn't work. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dcrage 627 #12 Posted April 29, 2020 (edited) Have you tried LOOSENING the tension on your drive belt. My current mower belt (310-8/37” SD) wobbles like crazy if I have it overly tight. I have no idea why this works for my situation but it does. Edited April 29, 2020 by dcrage 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tarcoleo 119 #13 Posted April 30, 2020 Check the deck spring tensioner. They break. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotajax 223 #14 Posted April 30, 2020 (edited) Tarc: Thanks. Good idea. I gotta take the covers off the deck anyway, so that's a no-brainer. I spun the center pulley ( the double one ) at low rpm, and it seemed to be turning as true as the two end pulleys. Gotta find out what is causing a rattle I hear at low speed. I have a feeling that once that cover comes off, the lights will all come on. BTW, where is Little Compton? I was in Newport when I was in the canoe club. Edited April 30, 2020 by hotajax Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tarcoleo 119 #15 Posted May 1, 2020 Little Compton is in the extreme southeast corner of Rhode Island across the Sakonnet River from Newport. Hope your Wheel Horse sleuthing works out. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotajax 223 #16 Posted May 2, 2020 Tarc: Yeah man, the sleuthing worked. One of the other posters, DCRage, told me to loosen the belt. So I did. I'm done. It still wobbles a little, but nothing like before, and certainly nothing that will cause the mower deck to have a meltdown and disappear into the ozone. Back to Compton: I know I saw the signs for it, but I'm too old to remember where. RI was a cool place. Hated to leave it, except the USN wanted me to go out on long boat rides. Thanks for all your help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotajax 223 #17 Posted May 2, 2020 On 4/29/2020 at 2:58 PM, dcrage said: Have you tried LOOSENING the tension on your drive belt. My current mower belt (310-8/37” SD) wobbles like crazy if I have it overly tight. I have no idea why this works for my situation but it does. Rage: It worked. Makes absolutely no sense why loosening it would work, but it did. So it wobbles just a hair, but nothing like before. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dcrage 627 #18 Posted May 2, 2020 Glad I could help! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
