Lawn Tractor Problem

My John Deere lawn tractor has always thrown the drive belt in the summer, but this winter I was able to purchase a snowblower.
This is a huge problem as putting a belt back on 3 times already today, and I will have to do it again before I can blow out what ever snow falls today. In the summer it would throw it maybe 3 times in a 'season', but now that I use it to do my driveway, its a constant problem. My manual doesn't state how to correct this problem.... can anyone out there help.

Frustrated lying in 6" of snow to put the belt back on. .... I'm freezing HELP!!!!!!!

 

You probably have pulley misalignment or broken tensioner/guide parts which are making the belt ride crooked.

 

So how would I determine if these 2 suggestions are the problem?
Thanks & God bless

 

Is there play in the pulleys or where they are attached? How is the tensioning device? Does it move freely?

 

There doesn't seem to be any play on the pulleys, and the pulley does turn freely. I think maybe it could be that there isn't enough tension on the pulley, to hold it in place. If this were the problem how would I correct it?

Also is it possible that there is ice getting into the drive and putting the alignment off? ..is this a typical senerio?


Thanks again & god bless

 

Hello Coady!

Check all the pulleys...from the engine to the tranny. If one of them is higher/lower than the rest, then that is your problem. Also, if the belt is cut or worn badly, it will jump off. Also, at the tensioner and idler pulleys, there should be a metal tab or rod that hooks down and keeps the belt from falling off when you depress the clutch. Does the belt jump off while you are moving, or when you press the clutch and let off again?

 

The belt, I am sure does come off when pressing the clutch... I can not ever remember it coming off while in motion...thats not to say I have the greatest memory of these kodak moments!!!!

I will check to see if all pulleys are level.

The metal tab is there, should it be at a particular level or position from the pulleys?

Thanks & God bless

 

The pulleys on your tractor don't need to be in perfect alignment. The pulleys should be deep enough so a belt won't jump off if the retainers are adjusted. The key is having the belt retainers adjusted right.
The job of the belt retainers are to hold the belt in to the pulley when the clutch is depressed. When the clutch is engaged and there is tension on the belt the belt retainers should just clear the belt.
You may want to check the pivot point of the clutch idler. Some times this pivot point can be worn and when the clutch is disengaged it will move the idler pulley from side to side. While watching the clutch idler have some one puch on the clutch peddle and check for side to side movement.

 

The belt keepers should be close enough to the pulley to keep the belt from falling off the pulley, but not so close that it touches the belt or pulley. They do not have to be in "perfect" alignment, but if one is cocked over or out of alignment enough to cause the belt to ride off of it, it will make the belt come off.

 

All that you are saying makes perfect sense, but the pulleys all look fine. But something has to be out of wack for this to happen!? I think I will go buy the service manual, withhopes it will have guidelines for these pulleys. Thanks

 

How does the belt look? If it is missing chunks, or has a burned spot, or is worn thin, it will come off.

 

It is a new belt, after last snow fall thought it might help to put on a new belt... to no avail!!!!
It really must be the pulleys are at the wrong setting.

 

Here's something a friend of mine who had a J.D. snowblower had a problem with, it was the idler that engaged the drive belt. It was so loose on its shaft that it kept knocking the belt off. We took it over to the shop and rebushed it and it was o.k after that. Not saying that this is your trouble but it may be something to look at?? Good Luck.

 

thanks I will take a look at that!!
More snow last night and more to come.... does anyone belief that spring will ever come?

Thanks & bless you

 

Hehe...spring is here already! (where I live). The pollen is everywhere...including my sinuses! Had to go to the doctor today just to get some relief from it!

 

To a warmer place, then I could keep putting on the belt in more comfort!

Lucky you cheese!!!!