782 going through deck drive belts

[martin1b]

I have a 782 with a 50" deck. I had an OEM deck drive belt and was mowing and it broke. Just replaced with a cub cadet belt and after 1 round, i noticed the belt was getting hot. This belt is too expensive to break, not to mention I'd rather fix the problem. To me, it sounds like a bad pulley, but I'm not sure which one.

The deck has relatively new spindles and everything turns freely so I don't think the deck is the problem. The belt is even with the lip of the tensioner pulleys up front but goes it pretty far into the deck drive pulley.

Is the problem likely the deck drive pulley or is there a way to find the culprit? If so, where can I get a new one?

Bill

[Methos]

Bill how do the mule drive pulleys feel? Spin freely? The only other thing I can think of is bearing on the electric pto going bad.

[martin1b]

Mule drive pulley's spin freely. So are you saying it's not the deck drive pulley but possibly the pto bearing?

I'm wondering if it's slipping, causing the heat because the other belt broke. Also, when I went through high grass, the blades would slow down but the the motor wouldn't. That's what makes me think it's a bad pulley.

Bill

[J-Mech]

Bill,
Yeah, it's a wore out pulley. On "V" style belts the belt will bottom out on the pulley when the sides get wore, and cause slippage and belt overheating. You can still get the pulleys from CC. The center one is about $50, the outers $25. Oh, and make sure that the spring tensioner on the mule drive moves free. You can check it by taking the belt off, shoving in the the release, letting it go. The idler should almost touch the front housing. If not, lube it up.

[J-Mech]

Sorry Duke,
Didn't mean to step in over you. :-/ I've seen that exact problem alot, and I think he's on the right track with the pulleys. The only other thing it could be is a failing PTO clutch. Which would be hard to narrow down by yourself, and they cost WAY more than that center pulley!

[Methos]

Originally Posted by martin1b

Mule drive pulley's spin freely. So are you saying it's not the deck drive pulley but possibly the pto bearing?

I'm wondering if it's slipping, causing the heat because the other belt broke. Also, when I went through high grass, the blades would slow down but the the motor wouldn't. That's what makes me think it's a bad pulley.

Bill

Bill I'm thinking the bearing in the pulley. No call out for the bearing on the pto in parts look up.

http://www.cubcadet.com/webapp/wcs/s...0-A/0028600015

[J-Mech]

..... But the bearing in the PTO only spins when the clutch is disengaged. When the clutch is engaged with the blades on, the pulley is locked to the shaft...... If the PTO bearing was out, it would only get hot with the PTO off......

[J-Mech]

I was thinking about that, an I'm wrong! Sorry, that bearing DOES spin all the time. And, it could be causing excessive heat, and even slow the drive.... but it should do it all the time, not just in heavy grass. My money is still on the wore out pulleys.

[J-Mech]

I don't like going back and forth.... I was sitting at home last night on here when going through this post...... My first thought was correct. The bearing on the PTO does only spin when the PTO is disengaged. I was switching from the tiller to the mower deck tonight and just happened to think to look. Never should have second guessed myself!

[martin1b]

Finally had a chance to look at this again. Before I replace the center pulley on the deck, how can I narrow down if it's the center pulley or the mule drive pulleys, or even the clutch pulley? I've read that you can tell if the pulley is good or not based on how far the belt protrudes from the pulley.

I've attached pics of all three. I figure a picture is worth a thousand words. Any thoughts about these pics?

Also, if it is the center deck pulley, is it pressed on or is it pretty replaceable? How hard is it to replace?

Thanks!
Bill