J.D. E120 Snowblower attachment works very poorly

[Peva]

I'm sorry, do I genuflect now, or at some later time . . . . .

Maybe it would be simpler for the poster to just trade it in for a new easier unit....

Why would you genuflect? That would be weird. Take my comments at face value and don't read anything into them. Have a good day.

 

[djjsc]

"I have a John Deere E120 lawn mower which I've owned for about 4 years with a snowblower attachment..... the snowblower isn't able to move much more than about 3" of snow, we are expecting 6" tomorrow. I thought there might be an issue with the belt so I went to the local John Deere dealership and bought a new belt. When installed it hangs very loosely, should it?"

Somewhat loosely is what you're looking for. My opinion is it should almost engage when loose. That way you KNOW you're getting maximum engagement when called for.

"When engaged it barely holds the pulley. Honestly it's useless."

WRONG!!! Should have better than barely holding grip on (drive/tightener/driven) pulleys.

"I've spoken with the John Deere dealership and they tell me I've installed it incorrectly. I've watched all the You Tube videos and it seems pretty simple. Is this what I should expect?"

Was a Deere partsman for 18+ years. Does the embossed/printed label on new belt MATCH the part number on the sleeve? Does it match the embossed/printed label on old belt? No match..... WRONG BELT. Finally..... check ALL pulleys/shafts for wear; also tightener pulley pivot for wear. If you go for an aftermarket belt, make SURE it's Kevlar. Kevlar returns the extra cost in hrs of service.

 

[5eds1]

Just to be clear the belt is too long, I could work with too short.
I’ve verified the belt installation it’s pretty simple. You just run the belt through the pulleys and it results in two loops, top one goes to the motor pulley and the bottom one goes to the snowblower. I’ve also verified the tensioner smoothly moves from front to back when I shift the lever.
It just isn’t tight enough to run the snowblower.

That’s what the tensioner does, tighten a loose belt. If the belt was too tight you wouldn’t be able to put it on the engine pulley.

 

[Gord Baker]

Why would you genuflect? That would be weird. Take my comments at face value and don't read anything into them. Have a good day.

Is that Metric? Boycott all ads.

 

[epare]

Just to be clear the belt is too long, I could work with too short.
I’ve verified the belt installation it’s pretty simple. You just run the belt through the pulleys and it results in two loops, top one goes to the motor pulley and the bottom one goes to the snowblower. I’ve also verified the tensioner smoothly moves from front to back when I shift the lever.
It just isn’t tight enough to run the snowblower.

I should probably stay out of this...there are too many people advising you and since I'm new to interacting on this forum, I didn't see that there are a number of pages of comments, and that your issue began some time ago. But, before I leave, there is one question that's really bothering/annoying me: You say you have the appropriate belt number (as the belt's cardboard sleeve implies), but the belt is several inches too long. You also state that the belt is 60 inches in length. These two sentences do not jive...how the heck did you measure the belt to be 60 inches?...that's impossible...the belt is supposed to measure nearly 150 inches. It is not possible that a 60 inch belt is too long. I think you need to first clear up this issue; because, it appears that you have no idea how to measure a belt's length. The guy who told you to go purchase an inexpensive seamstress'/tailor's cloth tape measure and measure the outside circumference of the belt has put you on the right track. This is how I've quickly checked belt measurements for over 60 years (I'm 76). You should do what he suggested and clear up this crazy statement that your new belt measures 60 inches. Until you have an accurate measurement of your new belt, there is no sense of talking about finding a shorter belt.

 

[Peva]

...Was a Deere partsman for 18+ years. Does the embossed/printed label on new belt MATCH the part number on the sleeve? Does it match the embossed/printed label on old belt? No match..... WRONG BELT.

Already addressed: OP (original poster) posted photos of the new belt packaging showing the John Deere-listed belt part number (M158130) for this machine. The OP stated that the belt has that part number embossed on the new belt. However it has been suggested that the OP actually measure the belt (with a belt measuring tool/gauge or by measuring the length around the outer surface of the belt - should be 150" for the John Deere-specified belt) as a couple of people have suggested that it is not unheard of for a belt to be mislabeled/marked. As yet, unless I missed it, the OP has not done that, but should do so to eliminate that as the possible root cause.

...Finally..... check ALL pulleys/shafts for wear; also tightener pulley pivot for wear. If you go for an aftermarket belt, make SURE it's Kevlar. Kevlar returns the extra cost in hrs of service.

They sounds like good suggestions to be added to the list.

 

[Peva]

I should probably stay out of this...there are too many people advising you and since I'm new to interacting on this forum, I didn't see that there are a number of pages of comments, and that your issue began some time ago. But, before I leave, there is one question that's really bothering/annoying me: You say you have the appropriate belt number (as the belt's cardboard sleeve implies), but the belt is several inches too long. You also state that the belt is 60 inches in length. These two sentences do not jive...how the heck did you measure the belt to be 60 inches?...that's impossible...the belt is supposed to measure nearly 150 inches. It is not possible that a 60 inch belt is too long. I think you need to first clear up this issue; because, it appears that you have no idea how to measure a belt's length. The guy who told you to go purchase an inexpensive seamstress'/tailor's cloth tape measure and measure the outside circumference of the belt has put you on the right track. This is how I've quickly checked belt measurements for over 60 years (I'm 76). You should do what he suggested and clear up this crazy statement that your new belt measures 60 inches. Until you have an accurate measurement of your new belt, there is no sense of talking about finding a shorter belt.

Already covered - see post #59.

 

[Sonny1980]

the belt number should be on the belt itself if it isnt you should bring the belt in with you when buying another one..its pretty simple.. and my snowblower has slow times moving also . try working it in lower speed first then gradually to high it works for myself.. start at one then when it gets comfortable go higher..

 

[Gord Baker]

the belt number should be on the belt itself if it isnt you should bring the belt in with you when buying another one..its pretty simple.. and my snowblower has slow times moving also . try working it in lower speed first then gradually to high it works for myself.. start at one then when it gets comfortable go higher..

The belt numbers are often illegible from running the backsides over Idlers. I am wondering how we ever got as far as sliced bread!!!

 

[epare]

Already covered - see post #59.

No. My question has not already been covered in post #59. The OP has not yet done a proper measurement on the belt, which he says is the M158130 belt; but, he has not yet reported its exact measurement. We can't assume that, just because it is marked as a M158130 belt, it is the 150 inch length. It needs to be measured correctly.