I'm working on a 155c that has been getting slower when mowing and will barely pull a hill. The drive belt was cracked and worn and I replaced it with no difference. Changed oil and filter in Tough Torque K46 and it still has same symptoms. When climbing hill, I do hear the drive belt squealing and smell rubber burning. Unless I've missed something there are no adjustments to tighten belt. Anything else that can be tried or is the tranny toast?
So is your suspicion that the trans is dragging with internal problems such that the belt drive is slipping and burning? Can one of these K 46 normally be turned by hand or have a factory spec turn over torque? Sorry I don't have the experience on this one.
#3
Glyn Robinson
did you measure your new belt by your old belt? old belt has probably stretched over time and if you used it to measure for another belt, the new belt would be too long.
Post make, year, model & serial numbers from data plate or sticker on lawn tractor. Sounds like idler pulley bearings for transaxle drive belt may be worn out, remove idlers & inspect center bearings by hand. Is belt OEM part? Tuff Torque website has oil specifications & technical information on your K46.
Thanks for replies. Sorry to say that I.D. tag has fallen off of mower. Only information I could get to purchase belt was that it's a 155c with a 48" deck. With that, I got on John Deere's website and it was showing belt replacement as part number GX20006. I purchased gasket kit and oil from Tough Torque. The idler pulley's make sense as pulley and axle's turn freely on transmission. They seem to be turning freely with belt on, but I'll remove both of them and give a good inspection.
The pulleys seem to be in good shape. I assume next step would be pull tranny and remove the pump and motor. Not really sure what to look for as far as wear.
Placed a rebuild kit in transmission. Found a couple of videos on line and followed the procedure. Basically a new transmission except for differential gears that show no wear. Still it will not pull a hill and doesn't have the forward speed on flat ground it should. Can anyone advise where else to look?
Spring for idler pulley plate was the culprit. J.D. has updated spring and new one is shorter and has more tension than original. Wow, what a learning experience. Thanks to all!!!!!
#10
Glyn Robinson
good. glad you found the problem. happy mowing! lol
did you measure your new belt by your old belt? old belt has probably stretched over time and if you used it to measure for another belt, the new belt would be too long.
Mower belts do not stretch.
They wear on the sides so go deeper into the pulley which is of course a smaller diameter and thus become slack.
In fact a lot of belts actually shrink when they get hot.
So measuring the old belt is a suitable method for deciding which length of belt to fit.
Next time you remove an olf belt, have a good close look at the wrapping.
You will see it is still quite square.
If the belt was stretching the cover would also stretch so would appear to be rectangular weave and not a square one.
