1554 keeps throwing deck belt when first engaged

[jarbalojim]

Every time I engage the PTO belt drive it throws the belt. What's weird is it's only the first or maybe 2nd time. I put the belt back on and it works fine until I shut it down for several minutes or overnight, then it throws it again. I put a new spring on it but that didn't help. Any ideas?

 

[StarTech]

I have seen bearings to seize while sitting under tension. I know sounds dumb a bad place in a bearing may only show up on the initial startup. I have seen this to snap Kevlar belts on Husqvarna where the customer lost several belts before I found the idler pulley that was causing. I have learned to check these bearings by feel. If I feel even the slight catch I replace them.

 

[Rivets]

I have to agree with Star on this one. I’ve seen this more than once where the spindle bearing start out tight, but after they warm up no problems.

 

[slomo]

Agree on the worn parts. Replace all the bearings, idlers and spindles you have. If one is going the rest are not far away. Also use the OEM belt/s.

 

[jarbalojim]

Very

I have seen bearings to seize while sitting under tension. I know sounds dumb a bad place in a bearing may only show up on the initial startup. I have seen this to snap Kevlar belts on Husqvarna where the customer lost several belts before I found the idler pulley that was causing. I have learned to check these bearings by feel. If I feel even the slight catch I replace them.

Very good! I never thought of that, I will check all the bearings! Thank you!

 

[jarbalojim]

I have to agree with Star on this one. I’ve seen this more than once where the spindle bearing start out tight, but after they warm up no problems.

Excellent, thanks!

 

[jarbalojim]

Agree on the worn parts. Replace all the bearings, idlers and spindles you have. If one is going the rest are not far away. Also use the OEM belt/s.

The engine shroud has been pulled, everything cleaned, thanks. It has a new OEM belt and spring.

 

[jarbalojim]

The engine shroud has been pulled, everything cleaned, thanks. It has a new OEM belt and spring.

The blade head splindles are $100- a piece if not more, I know for sure the outside 2 are fine but will check the tension pulley and inside spindle.

 

[slomo]

The blade head splindles are $100- a piece if not more, I know for sure the outside 2 are fine but will check the tension pulley and inside spindle.

$100 each? That is less than a half tank of gas these days. Get all of them and a couple spares.

 

[bertsmobile1]

When I have one of these mystery problems , I grab the Go-Pro knock off camera , clamp it to the mower frame then go mow or in your case turn the PTO on & off till the belt comes off
then pop the memory card in the computer & play it back full speed to find where the belt jumped off , then rewind just that section and go through it a 1/2 speed
Don't be tempted to do it in single frame mode as 15 minutes in single frame takes about 10 hours to step through.
Some times I need to make a couple of videos if it looks like the problem was out of frame the first time.

Of course an assistant can be used to man the mower & in that case just be careful around the discharge side of the deck .