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blade belt slips off

#1

M

Murray1

I have a Murray 12hp 38" cut riding mower. Not sure what happened; however, the blade belt started slipping off the idler pulley when in low cutting heights 1-3 or 4. I thought it might just be the belt so I pulled it off and it did have a nice cut in one area of the belt. I replaced with the Murray 37x63 belt, same that was on the mower. Still having the same problem.

I am also a little unsure on the adjustable arm and where it should be. It appears to push up against the pulley gaurd at high cuttng heights and jumps over the pulley at lower heights. Not sure if it is really suppose to push up against the pulley guard.

Any guidance or help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.


#2

reynoldston

reynoldston

Murray1 said:
I have a Murray 12hp 38" cut riding mower. Not sure what happened; however, the blade belt started slipping off the idler pulley when in low cutting heights 1-3 or 4. I thought it might just be the belt so I pulled it off and it did have a nice cut in one area of the belt. I replaced with the Murray 37x63 belt, same that was on the mower. Still having the same problem.

I am also a little unsure on the adjustable arm and where it should be. It appears to push up against the pulley gaurd at high cuttng heights and jumps over the pulley at lower heights. Not sure if it is really suppose to push up against the pulley guard.

Any guidance or help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

The very first thing I question when I see this problem. Did you use a OEM belt? Big different in belts, besides size.


#3

M

Murray1

As far as I knew, yes I did use an OEM belt. The package said Murray 37x63.



Thanks.


#4

M

Murray1

Any thoughts?

Also still wondering on the adjustable arm positioning?

Thanks.


#5

M

Murray1

Can someone with a Murray mower or similar take a photo of the deck area showing the location of the adjustment arm when the blade is engaged?

Also, more threads behind adjustment lug tighter or looser? I think I may have went the wrong way. I will try back and forth to see if the belt gets tighter in the mean time.

Thanks


#6

M

Murray1

Nobody have any thoughts are guidance?

I am going to play with the adjustment arm today but not sure if this is the problem.

Help????

Thanks.


#7

M

Murray1

Ok, maybe if I just keep posting to my own thread I will figure out the problem. Kind of a new way .of taking to yourself.

It appears that my mower is unlevel from side to side. I have moved to the farthest back hole on the adjuster plate but still seem to be off by more than a 1/4".

The issue is that the adjustment bar that hits the idler pullly at high setting will jump over the pulley at lower settings causing the belt to come off the idler pulley.

I need to see if there is any more height adjustments. It appears if I can get another 1/4" I will have the issue resolved.

Thanks.


#8

Fish

Fish

Murray1 said:
Can someone with a Murray mower or similar take a photo of the deck area showing the location of the adjustment arm when the blade is engaged?

Also, more threads behind adjustment lug tighter or looser? I think I may have went the wrong way. I will try back and forth to see if the belt gets tighter in the mean time.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Well, if you are unwilling to snap any photos, or at least provide a Murray model number, so we at least have a clue what model you have, or look at any parts diagrams, why would you expect us to run out and snap pics of say any Murray with a 38 inch deck?
Murray made tractors from the 1970s up till the 2000s, and made many 38 inch models, you might want to get up and be a tad more helpful, and respectful, if you expect any miracles here.........


#9

M

Murray1

Model# 38608X92B
Date of Manuf 0650

I have photos but can not figure out how to add. I went to manage attachments but it is just taking me back to forums.

As far as the previous reply, thanks.


#10

M

Murray1

I was able to cut a little grass today on height stting 4. Only problem is that I appear to be out of adjustment left to right and it appears I need another 1/4" or so to make things close to being level. I am probrably about 1/2" different from side to side.

I also attached a few pics.

Thanks

Attachments







#11

Fish

Fish

What is up with the tire in the pic? Is it off of the machine?


#12

M

Murray1

Tire is on. I wasn't sure why that looked that way; however, I just went out and looked and it appears to be a reflection of the tire off the shinny metal guard that is on the grass shoot.


#13

gfp55

gfp55

From that I can see in the pictures, it looks like you have an alignment problem with the pulleys. Maybe check to see if one or more plastic bushings on the part that the idler pulley pivots on. Maybe you can take more pictures pulled back some, we can blow them up latter.


#14

M

mechanic mark

Murray lt Parts Diagram Index for 38608X92B

Use leaf blower after every mow on entire tractor, water will damage electrical components. Inspect all pulleys on deck, hands on with gloves, for wear, sharp edges, spin pulleys and with both hands try rocking side to side up and down checking for bearing wear, also check all hardware making sure it is tight and secure. Grease and lube with oil squirt gun all moving parts making sure not to get on belts, if you do wipe off immediately. Also apply grease to sector and pinion on steering shaft.


#15

M

Murray1

I have attached a few more photos after removing the deck. The idler pulley appears to be out of line and not parallel. Not sure what has caused this or if this is normal.

Also, in the second photo I am still curious if the adjustment arm is supposed to push up against the side of the guide for the idler pulley. I have set it in place to show. It seems to be like this at high cutting settings and works and then as I lower the deck it disengages and stops cutting.

Thanks.IMG_0373.jpgIMG_0372.jpgIMG_0371.jpg


#16

gfp55

gfp55

The idler pulley is shot (black plastic one) The top part is gone, look at it. Look at the bottom, then look at the top of the pulley, there is no top lip to hold the belt on. You need at idler pulley.


#17

M

mechanic mark

Murray1 said:
I have attached a few more photos after removing the deck. The idler pulley appears to be out of line and not parallel. Not sure what has caused this or if this is normal.

Also, in the second photo I am still curious if the adjustment arm is supposed to push up against the side of the guide for the idler pulley. I have set it in place to show. It seems to be like this at high cutting settings and works and then as I lower the deck it disengages and stops cutting.

Thanks.View attachment 22112View attachment 22113View attachment 22114
Click to expand...

Good pictures, does idler arm move, is it bent, loose, cracked?
Amazon.com : Flat Idler Pulley Replaces Murray 91801, 91801MA, 690452, 690452MA, 774089, 774089MA : Lawn Mower Idlers : Patio, Lawn & Garden look at bottom nine new from 4.96.


Arm Assembly-Idler [092032SEMA] for Murray Lawn Equipment | eReplacement Parts


#18

M

Murray1

Thanks.

It is so bad I did not even know it was supposed to have a top lip. I also cleaned up the deck and noticed a steel wire wrap around about 5 times under one of the blades. I was able to cut about 1/2 Acre on setting 3 (what I normally cut on) with no problem.

Regardless I am getting a new idler pulley.

I believe problem is solve.

Again thanks.


#19

M

mechanic mark

We're all human and it's not bad you missed it. Information & knowledge come by reading, studying, and hands on when it comes to mowers.


#20

Carscw

Carscw

I replace these cheap ones with steel ones from tractor supply.


#21

gfp55

gfp55

mechanic mark said:
Good pictures, does idler arm move, is it bent, loose, cracked? QUOTE]

It would be a good idea to check to see why the pulleys top lid was worn off in the first place. mechanic mark asks "does idler arm move, is it dent, loose, cracked?" I think he's looking for the reason for the pulley damage (top lip worn off). You might check the alignment and/or side to side movement of the idler pulley or the part that holds the idler pulley so you don't have the same problem with the new pulley. Maybe you could let everyone here know what you find. Good luck with your Murray.....
Click to expand...


#22

M

Murray1

Update. Pulley intalled cut grass twice and the top pulley lip has been ripped off again.

It appears that the idler arm is getting into the pulley area. I am assuming at this point that it is not supposed to do that.

Not sure why. I will need to do some more checking.


#23

M

Murray1

Not sure from previous pictures if anyone can tell if my adjustable arm is bent. Also, where can I get a new one.

Thanks.


#24

Carscw

Carscw

Murray1 said:
Not sure from previous pictures if anyone can tell if my adjustable arm is bent. Also, where can I get a new one. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I think it is bent and the belt is rubbing on the top of the pulley.
You should be able to bend it back.


#25

M

Murray1

Any where I can look to see where to bend it back to? I can try and start bending but not sure what is supposed to be shaped like.

I play aroumd with it and see if it moves away from the pulley.

Thanks.


#26

S

SeniorCitizen

The idler pivot is the problem. With the belt off I'm guessing the idler pulley can be moved up and down at least an inch. A common problem on spring belt tension idlers but not so on stationary idlers.


#27

M

Murray1

What is the fix for the pivot problem? This seems to make sence.

Thanks.


#28

Carscw

Carscw

Not sure why I did not think of it. My toro does it all the time. The bolt and nut that hold the arm to the deck comes loose


#29

S

SeniorCitizen

This one was in terrible condition but I was able to return it to service. This is an old one from 82 or 84. The hole in the bracket was egged from wear. If you scribe center lines to locate the hole after welding it can be brought to original by welding the hole closed and drilling. OR if a new can can be located go that route.

The deck was worse but I hammered it back flat and put a thin large flat washer underneath. One thing to watch for is this is all assembled with a shouldered bolt but enough threads were available the thin washer worked. That deck area could also have been welded back to specifications with the right equipment and good eyes I don't have any more.

Attachments









#30

S

SeniorCitizen

Carscw said:
Not sure why I did not think of it. My toro does it all the time. The bolt and nut that hold the arm to the deck comes loose
Click to expand...
You could consider a Nylock nut or thread locker to keep it where it belongs.


#31

M

Murray1

I kind of still have my original question, before I start bending stuff and trying to get things where they belong, where should the adjustment arm be in relationship to the idler pulley when the blades are engaged?

The pulley is either pushing against the idler pulley steel guide or it rides over top of the guide and gets into the pulley itself. I assume the later case is rubbing against the pulley and tearing it up.

Is the arm supposed to be completely clear of the pulley area or is it actually supposed to push up against the guide?

Thanks for all the help up to this point.


#32

M

Murray1

Additionally, I noticed that the non adjustable end of the arm, the piece it attaches to is not parallel to the ground. It is angled down about 15 degrees or so.

I hope that someone out there can give me some insight on where to start bending parts. Again, a good picture of a similar mower may help.

Thanks.


#33

S

SeniorCitizen

Take it apart and you'll have a picture right in front of your eyes better than anyone can provide. But I seriously doubt bending will solve the problem.


#34

M

Murray1

Taking it apart will do no good. I have no idea what it is supposed to look like.

I need a picture of one that is working so I can see what it is supposed to look like.

Bending is the only option unless I get something to compare to.

My other choice is a new mower. If I go this route I might as well start bending.

Thanks.


#35

BlazNT

BlazNT

From the pictures you posted it looks like it is bent down about 15% as you said. All the pulleys should be level and in line with each other. I would use a straight edge and start bending. All the pulleys should touch the straight edge at the same time. Now for the other problem. Look under the mower and see what the pulley is hitting before you put it back under the mower.


#36

M

Murray1

I am beginning to think my adjustment arm is or was installed upside down. One of the reasons I was looking for a photo of a similar model.

I just rotated it the other way and will be attempting to mow soon. Grass just a little wet yet.

Thanks.


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