44A/50A/44C/50C OVERDRIVE Pulley!
 

I just hit up a friend of mine who is very talented and has an impressive collection of machine tools and welders.

Anyhow, I proposed $120, plus your core, for a 44/50 deck OVERDRIVE pulley... Top would be 3", bottom 4" like always, and bubble balanced. Tenatively, the price is $120 + your core, free return shipping.

Any one interested? My 44A is definitely getting one!!! Time to make it SCREAM!

How much more is the tip speed going to be?

You really dont want to go over 10% the bearings are subject to increased heat and wear that will cause premature failure if spun way too fast.

Just something to think about.

You could also get a PTO with a larger pulley up front, that way it doesnt work as hard at start up to get is spinning.

I bought what folks call the "speed-up" pulley for my 44 inch deck. IH apparently made two different diameters the deck pulley's and they are still available.

The speed-up pulley made (IMHO) a big difference in how strong the mower discharged the grass.

Good luck,
Bill

Maxwelhse is wanting to build an even faster pulley. It's nothing stock.

It's an interesting idea however if the pulley diameter gets too small it also makes it very easy for the belt to slip. And since the deck belt is not run very tight when properly adjusted I would be afraid of the belt slipping under heavy load.

Just thought I'd add my .02

Thanks for the feedback, guys!

I regard to bearing speeds, I would probably grease it every time before use (as opposed to about 3 times a year, with my 1/2 acre lot) to cut down the risk of burning them up. I've got to think that my 50 year old deck bearings are still better than the china crap in new tractors...

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I've also thought about the belt friction problem on a "super speed" pulley... The simple answer to that would be to add another idler to increase the wrap on the pulley. I have a parts 44A (rusty like you've never seen) that could donate an idler to the cause.

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I'm still on the fence on this one. I mowed again with the 4" pulley and it sure does cut nice... When I get in really heavy stuff (6" of wet grass, up hill) I still have to slow down to a crawl.

Well, we ALL know the answer to this one!! :bigthink:


B I G G E R engine!! :bigeyes:

:biggrin2: