240 GT broken drive belt,possible causes.

[joea99]

Might go look at a JD 240 GT that I'm told has a bad or broken drive belt. While the price is not bad, I'd rather not buy something with a locked spindle or bad transaxle. I do expect to have to put some work and cash into it, probably a deck rebuild, but don't need a boat anchor.

Any way to get a reasonable read on it without actually installing a new belt and test driving it?

 

[bertsmobile1]

Strong torch to check for polishing at the very root of the pulleys
Slip the belt off the front or rear pulley then check the idlers for quiet clean running
Work the brake / clutch pedal and look for a smooth parallel movement with little wobble
Other than that try pushing it without the bypass valve open'
On wheel should rotate and the other should lock up & slide
If both wheels turn freely then the hydro has gone to heaven because it was given hell on earth .
Go to any belt makers web page and look at the belt wear diagnosis , B & S TORO & Husqvarna all have them as well
The way the belt has failed will tell you how it failed and from there you can work out why it failed .

 

[joea99]

"Bypass valve" would only apply to hydro units? This model is not.