Pulsating PTO belt tensioner
 

Got a 1450 rolling chassis, that I reworked this past winter, putting a 12 hp
engine from a 1200 on it ( so guess, it could now be a 1250, with hydraulic lift?). Put the mule drive from the 1200 on it also, along with the 44A mower deck. Runs good, lifts the deck, but when the electric PTO is engaged, the belt tension release lever pulsates in and out (a couple inches) of the front lower panel. Belt is adjusted to the first V notch on the belt tension release lever, I'm out of tension adjust nut thread. Wrong belt, weak tension spring?? Idea's please.

Thanks,
Dick - 5 Cub Cadets

Sounds to me that if your out of threads on your tension adjustment rod, that your belt is stretched beyond usefulness, or is possibly the wrong belt. Do you have any pics of your mule drive and belt routing as it sits now? There might be something else another set of eyes can catch causing your problem.

Jeff (teet)

Same Problem
 

I have had the same problem with my 784. I have a 50C deck for it and got the manufacturer's belt from my local dealer. I installed it, and it was pretty tight going on, but over the next 2 or 3 uses, it stretched quite a bit. I kept an eye on it and adjusted it before mowing every time, and sometimes in the middle of my job, but the belt eventually gave out. At the end of the run, I was running out of threads on the tensioner bolt also. I tried to keep my belt adjusted to the notch closest to the pulley, as recommended. I got a new belt from an auto parts store and it seems to be doing the trick okay. Just wondering how long it will last.

I had, have the same problem with my 1450 vwith a 44A deck. I had to change the tension spring on the deck itself as the one on it broke. It is not as bad as it was, but not sure if that fixed it or I am just used to it. Guy ay the IH dealer said that was just the way they were. I was going to put an eye bolt on the other one and just do away with the spring type tensioner, but never got around to it.

With my 1810 with a 44C deck. I tighted it as far as i could and the peice with the notches never even came close to the knotch. It's almost where you push it in to take the belt off and will not come forward any suggestions?

If one of the pulleys is spread or damaged it will cause the tension to change and cause this also as its running. My 1541 has a bad pto pulley on the deck and does this.