HELP 1991 MTD ruding mower blades always spinning
#1
08-29-15, 03:00 PM
HELP 1991 MTD ruding mower blades always spinning
I have a 1991 MTD riding mower and the blades are always spinning. When the lever is in the blades stop position they spin but not at full speed. The belt gets loose like it should. It had no idlers just a belf from the crankshaft to the 2 spindles. any sughestions?
#2
08-29-15, 04:50 PM
What is the mower model number? Did it suddenly start doing this or has it progressed over a period of time?
Some mowers have the belt tensioner to relax the belt and a centering support to keep the belt centered on the drive pulley of the motor. That keeps the belt from dropping into the pulley and driving the blades.
If that support is broken or bent that could be a problem.
Some mowers have the belt tensioner to relax the belt and a centering support to keep the belt centered on the drive pulley of the motor. That keeps the belt from dropping into the pulley and driving the blades.
If that support is broken or bent that could be a problem.
#4
08-29-15, 07:42 PM
Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 198
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
I agree with Mar
You have a level adjustment somewhere. And there is a rod from back to front on the passenger side I think that will adjust the tension on the belt.
Work with it till your belt is a lil more freer. maybe clean the pulley if it's rusty on the engine side.
Sounds like you got a good deal on the mower. If it's not a seafety issue then use till you can get it done right. But SAFETY is the issue at hand since you put it on here.
You have a level adjustment somewhere. And there is a rod from back to front on the passenger side I think that will adjust the tension on the belt.
Work with it till your belt is a lil more freer. maybe clean the pulley if it's rusty on the engine side.
Sounds like you got a good deal on the mower. If it's not a seafety issue then use till you can get it done right. But SAFETY is the issue at hand since you put it on here.
#5
08-29-15, 08:06 PM
I have tried the adjustment and it does loosen the belt but they still spin. What i noticed is that it looks like the blade brakes are not contacting the pulleys so what little tension is left on the belt can turn the pulleys. The brakes still have the pads and are not worn out but are not contacting well. Is there an adjustment or anything i can check?
#7
08-29-15, 09:21 PM
Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 198
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Yes there is a way. You might have to take the deck off though.
Look for the area in the middle that control the brakes. Spray some wd 40 or PB blaster would be better on the area where the plate rubs on the deck to loosen it up. It is sticking and a common problem.
Hope this helps !!!
Look for the area in the middle that control the brakes. Spray some wd 40 or PB blaster would be better on the area where the plate rubs on the deck to loosen it up. It is sticking and a common problem.
Hope this helps !!!
#8
08-29-15, 11:09 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
The brakes are mounted under the foot rests, right? If so, the deck isn't lifting high enough to contact them and/or the pads are worn down too much. I have bent them down a little to make contact and also you can move the lift selector on the side where the blade lever is. Move it enough to make the deck raise a bit higher (like if you pull up on the selector...you should be able to do this and make the blades stop).
#10
08-30-15, 08:22 AM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: USA.
Posts: 1,511
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Also make sure the belt is the correct MTD part #. My experience with this issue on MTD's is almost always an incorrect substitute belt.
#11
08-30-15, 08:26 AM
So i bent the brakes down and they contacted well. When i started it up the blades didnt spin 
but after 2-4 minutes the belt got hot and the blades started spinning 
sounds like too much tension on the belt but i cant adjust the deck engagment adjustment which controlls tension if the belt or else the deck will hit the crankshaft pulley.
but after 2-4 minutes the belt got hot and the blades started spinning 
sounds like too much tension on the belt but i cant adjust the deck engagment adjustment which controlls tension if the belt or else the deck will hit the crankshaft pulley.
#14
08-30-15, 08:39 AM
See if there is a number on the deck. If there has been different decks put on that mower you'll need the deck number.
Then use that deck number as a reference in searching for a belt. Just go to Ebay with that information. A lot of times it's not only a good source of parts, but information.
Then use that deck number as a reference in searching for a belt. Just go to Ebay with that information. A lot of times it's not only a good source of parts, but information.
#15
08-30-15, 08:44 AM
When you say deck number do you mean like a serial number or the number of inches it is. Also i dont want to buy a bew belt if i dont have to or is there no way to tell if the belt is OEM?
#16
08-30-15, 08:44 AM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: USA.
Posts: 1,511
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
If OEM number should be printed on the outside of the belt.
MTD 131-662F118/SWC#28217 Parts List and Diagram - (12.5/38) : eReplacementParts.com
Belt# 954-0329A
MTD 131-662F118/SWC#28217 Parts List and Diagram - (12.5/38) : eReplacementParts.com
Belt# 954-0329A
#19
08-30-15, 10:00 AM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: USA.
Posts: 1,511
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
That will be the same and correct belt then...????
Only other thing I can think of is check the drive pulley for any damage and or rust or buildup in the groove.
Only other thing I can think of is check the drive pulley for any damage and or rust or buildup in the groove.
#20
08-30-15, 10:05 AM
References show it's the same belt as the 954-0329A. That's not to say there isn't something wrong with the condition of your belt - as in a separation, etc.
Do the pulleys all spin evenly as in not bent or maybe a bent spindle?
Do the pulleys all spin evenly as in not bent or maybe a bent spindle?
#21
08-30-15, 10:29 AM
Spindles are spinning freely And evenly. Crankshaft pulley apears to br fine as well. Only think that looks a little suspicious is that the belt is against the deck when disengaged. That looks like it is adding tension to the belt. I wish i could upload a picture
#23
08-30-15, 11:09 AM
I wonder if there isn't a belt guide that may be missing or bent that would keep the belt centered on the crank pulley. It sounds like it lays against the lower side of the pulley and dragging.
#27
08-30-15, 11:55 AM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: USA.
Posts: 1,511
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Ok you might be able to bend the tab on the handle a bit to keep the deck up a bit higher...over time this tab will bend under the pressure and or the notch can actually wear.
#29
08-30-15, 12:13 PM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: USA.
Posts: 1,511
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
When you say tab do you mean he tab tha goes into the deck cuttin height selector?
#30
08-30-15, 12:57 PM
Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 198
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
#31
08-30-15, 02:07 PM
Ok so i put a screwdriver in between the top setting and the lever so it is as high asbit can go and what it is doing is 1. It is still dragging on the deck and 2. When it draggs on the deck, it lifts th e right side of the belt up and causes it to smoke on the cranishaft pulley. Also at first they dont spin but after a minute or two when friction overtakes the belt they start to spin slowly.
#34
08-30-15, 05:09 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
If the guides on each blade pulley are missing, the belt will flex out too far and grab on the engine pulley.
![Name: IMG_2593[1].jpg
Views: 560
Size: 29.2 KB](https://www.doityourself.com/forum/attachments/outdoor-gasoline-electric-powered-equipment-small-engines/55397d1440982323-help-1991-mtd-ruding-mower-blades-always-spinning-img_2593-1-.jpg)
![Name: IMG_2601[1].jpg
Views: 672
Size: 45.2 KB](https://www.doityourself.com/forum/attachments/outdoor-gasoline-electric-powered-equipment-small-engines/55399d1440984109-help-1991-mtd-ruding-mower-blades-always-spinning-img_2601-1-.jpg)
#38
08-30-15, 06:39 PM
Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 198
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Measure the deck from the floor on the front. Then do the same on the back on both sides. It should be the same all around. Looks like the deck is raising the belt and causing it to engage. Adjustment is out pretty bad. Let us know !
#39
08-30-15, 06:47 PM
You got the "insert image" figured out. That helps a lot! It looks like the drive pully on the crank is out of alignment with the blade pulleys - like the engine is dropped down and tilted - top to front.
