I keep snapping belts!

[Steveo123]

Hello everyone!

I am in need of sage advice and guidance on my Cub Cadet 108 and 44 inch belly mowing deck. I keep going through PTO belts! The last one (new) only lasted a few mowings of a 1/4 acre flat lot!

I don't know what I'm doing wrong with these things! The three spindles turn freely, and turn in unison with each other (when testing the mower deck while it's unattached to the mule drive).

I have attempted to adjust the belt as the diagram on the front of the mule drive indicates, but I experience the belt jumping off fairly frequently, and ultimately the belt breaking, which seems to me to clearly prove I have it installed incorrectly.

I have been using a 3/8' by 78" v belt. It this correct, or should it be longer/shorter?

Any ideas would be great; I'm really getting frustrated!

Thanks in advance!!

[athomas]

From what I see, that should be the correct belt for that PTO drive. I would take a good look at the 2 small pulleys on the mule drive for wear or wobble sometimes the bracket that holds those pulleys to the horizontal cross bar. It gets worn to the point that the pulleys get severely canted throwing the belt off. A couple pics of the mule drive with the belt might spur some thoughts!

[Steveo123]

Thank you, athomas! I'll give them a good look, while I await another belt! I'll repost with some pictures when I get the belt on. Hopefully you and/or another fine forum member will help me solve this!

Again, thanks.

[finsruskw]

What brand of belts are you using?
The mule drive pullies on a WF such as your 108, should be canted a bit to the right, looking at the tractor from the front, as the drive pulley on the deck is not centered.
is the deck leveled properly?
Clearly something is misaligned somewhere.
Download the manual for your deck.
It is a 44A deck, correct?

[Steveo123]

I'm using a "D&D PowerDrive" belt purchased from Amazon that states it's a replacement for the IH belt. I'm attaching a few pics (1 of the belt on Amazon, and the others of the deck and mule drive/pulleys). The deck's ID tag says "441 U-1111". Frankly, I'm not sure what iteration of the 44" deck this is. I just assumed it was of the first generation, meaning (as I understand it) that it's simply a "44 deck," as opposed to "44A, 44B or 44C". Or is 44A the first generation designation?

Thanks in advance for any and al input, not only on the belt/deck identification, but any thougths on adjustments. FWIW, the pulley's spin freely, as do the spindles on the deck itself. That said; interestingly, y'day when I was mowing, I noticed that not all of the spindles were spinning (the cutting path clearly showed uncut grass). I turned the tractor off, lifted the deck and spun the near-side spindle, which immediately spun the other two - all three blades were rotating). But when I re-started, the same result - only one or two of the blades were spinning/cutting. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

[athomas]

I would pull the cover on the deck and examine the belt and tensioner. As far as PTO belts, I would recommend the True Blue belts. I have used the brand you are using without issue but the others are much better and usually can be found on eBay for $18-24. There is info on this site how to properly adjust that style of mule drive belt tensioner. I've never seen an adjustment screw quite as long as the one in your pic, but that doesn't have anything to do with your issue I'd assume! Do you have any wobble in your center deck spindle pulley? If I remember ( not positive on this ) from when I had that style of deck, the PTO belt goes to the outside of the right front deck hanger as viewed from the front, vs the older deck where the belt was on the inside of both front hangers if that makes sense ??

[finsruskw]

The adjustment is described right on the mule drive.
The two pullies should be more or less in line with one another when properly adjusted as per the notch and diagram on the mule drive.

What size is your deck drive pulley?

There is a 4-1-2" pulley and a 5" pulley

4.5" pulley takes the IH-59971-C1 belt 3/8 x 78

The 5" uses a IH-117465-C1 3/8x79

You may have a deck from QL

[finsruskw]

I'd be suspect of those mule drive pullies from the looks of your picture.
Sure don't look like they are parallel with one another.
Both should angle off towards the right a bit to be in line with the spindle pulley and spin freely w.no wobble.

[R Bedell]

I'd be suspect of those mule drive pullies from the looks of your picture.

Me too.

[Steveo123]

Thanks everyone! I'll measure the pulleys as mentioned above, and will take a look at lining the mule drive pulleys so they are parellel and aiming to the right, as is the case with the right-sided one.

Again, thanks!