Loses power uphill when going forward

[Mac Hudson]

I have a Dixon SpeedZTR 46 (966657801) that had no issues until last week. The idler pulley melted and fell off and my mower would no longer move forward or backward. Got the replacement part and put it together. My first issue is the drawings show the pulley to be installed above the idler arm assembly but there is no way that can be correct. I installed it under and it sits perfectly aligned with the rest of the pulleys. My main issue I think is I'm not sure where the tension spring connects to. It popped off so I never actually seen where it was originally. I ended up clipping it to the left side under the seat on to the frame on one side and to the long bolt that sticks up from the idler pulley on the other side. There seems to be decent tension of the drive belt. The unit runs in reverse no issues but forward on a hill it drags. I also notice it tracks slightly to the left as well. Prior to the pulley melting off it tracked straight and had plenty of power going up my small grade hill in the front. Any suggestions would be appreciated. The oil is fine and I cleaned it up as well as I read both of these things can effect the power when going up hill..

 

[Tinker Ty]

Are you able to post any pictures of the deck, looking down at it from a top view?

 

[Mac Hudson]

I attached a top view of the deck and a closer view of where I put the tension spring.

 

[Tinker Ty]

Sorry Mac, I meant of the deck. Can you take the deck out from under the mower and take a picture of the deck look straight down. I just wanted to look at what you are seeing. Maybe help with the idler issue.

sorry I just revised your issue and it’s not deck related. Still there is either something going on idlers or adjustment. Or potentially your belt is glazed. Make sure your transaxle aren’t in partial neutral (transport). I apologize I misread your original request.

 

[Mac Hudson]

I have an update. For some reason I can mow uphill backwards with no issue but once I go forward I slow to a crawl and even stop completely.