Question for the experts

[84Buckeye]

My 149 came with a 44a mower deck. At first I thought that this deck was not the proper deck for a 149, but upon further research I learned that as long as the correct mule drive is used no problem. Well.. Upon putting the new belt on, and following the manual as to adjust the turnbuckle for proper adjustment to the PTO, when I go to start it.. It will barely crank the motor over and after a few seconds I get nothing! When the mower belt was not on it, it cranked over fine.

I followed the manual on properly tightening the belt.. So I know the belt is right. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[R Bedell]

The correct mower deck for the 149 was the 44. The 44A was designed for the Quietline series. The difference is...........1x8/9 had a Mechanical PTO while the Quietlines had a Elec PTO. The diameters of the PTO pulley's are different.

[IH Cub Cadet]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think you can use a 44 or 44A with the 1x8/9 series.

I used a 44A deck with my 109 and later changed the pulley out with what folks call a speed-up pulley. Apparently IH used two different diameter pulleys on these decks - not sure of the year change. The deck works great.

As to your inability to crank the engine or sounds like you get nothing when you engage the deck? Could it be that you have a spindle or mule drive pulley frozen-up or nearly so?

Reason I ask is that the mule drive on my 109's deck - one of the pulleys seized-up. Apparently the PTO was strong enough to slide the belt on it, but when one of my Boys stopped the tractor for a re-fill of gas, when you engaged the PTO, it would stall the engine.

Good luck,
Bill

[rweaver]

one thing to check is to make sure your pto bearing is not bad that it will not unclutch and its trying to turn the deck and all with the starter to check bearing take belt off and disengage clutch and see if you can spin it by hand with the engine off works best

[84Buckeye]

Roland.. That explains why it struggles to want to turn over.. Guess I'll have to look for a 38 or 42"with the mule drive that goes with them.. The 44A will do me no good then even with the proper mule drive.

Bill.. The pulleys on the deck and mule drive are fine. I think it's either the Dia on belt mower or as RWeaver mentioned, maybe the bearing on PTO. I've had it running before and the PTO wouldn't disengage upon start up.

Thanks for your help guys!

[R Bedell]

You can use a 44A on a 1x8/9 series Cub. You just have to have the right belt length.

[84Buckeye]

I used the belt chart here to get the proper belt required Roland. For the 149 with a 44" deck PTO belt. There was only 1 optiom.

Is there only 2 44" decks that I.H. made for our cubs? The 44A and 44C? Or is there 3 with just a plain 44? In all the manuals it only makes reference to a 44" deck.

So the problem must be inside the PTO.. Maybe the bearing as mentioned above?

[R Bedell]

There was 44, 44A & 44C.

[84Buckeye]

Thanks for your help Roland. I can pick up a really good 42" around here for around 150. Don't think I'm going to mess around with this 44A. I decided to just go forward and break the tractor totally down. The engine is need of a rebuild, PTO too. Should of done that when I was replacing the seals, gaskets in the rear.

[Mlohss]

I understand what Roland is saying but I have taken the 44a from my 1450 and installed it on my 149 with absolutely no problems. I can't find a difference between the 44 and the 44a, except the tag...