lawnboy123
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I have a 1990s mtd riding mower that keeps shredding the belts and the back belt keeps coming off the pulley.
mtd mower keeps shredding belts
- Thread starter lawnboy123
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Check the condition of your pulleys. The V pulleys may be worn, letting the belt lay too deep in it, creating slack so the belt comes off and gets shredded. Belts should only touch the sides of V pullies, not the bottom. Also, check your belt guards are there, to prevent throwing.
There should be a support bracket that bolts to the front of the transmission.. make sure the bolts haven't came out, which will allow the tranny to rock and will throw the belt off every time.
gfp55
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Maybe you could post the model# off the tag under the seat?
mechanic mark
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Redwoodhippie
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Hello, I have a similar problem.
Model 12A-44MC055
Serial 1A087K11683
I installed a new belt and new belt tension spring today, August 1, 2014. The old spring looked okay however I changed it because the last belt lasted only about one hour and I figured it might be because the spring was worn. I also removed and sharpened the blade, and freed the rust stuck blade adapter, cleaned it, oiled it and reassembled with the sharpened blade.
The mower worked fine for about an hour and then the new belt came off and was cut in two. In reading the replace belt instructions there is no mention of any retaining plates, or support bracket that bolts to the front of the transmission or bolts to keep the belt in position or to keep the transmission from jumping. I did not see anything like this. For this model is there supposed to be a retainer to keep the belt in place and or restrain movement of the transmission?
I will check to see how deep the belt sits in the pulleys and look for retaining plates or missing bolts for a support bracket that might hold the belt in place.
Model 12A-44MC055
Serial 1A087K11683
I installed a new belt and new belt tension spring today, August 1, 2014. The old spring looked okay however I changed it because the last belt lasted only about one hour and I figured it might be because the spring was worn. I also removed and sharpened the blade, and freed the rust stuck blade adapter, cleaned it, oiled it and reassembled with the sharpened blade.
The mower worked fine for about an hour and then the new belt came off and was cut in two. In reading the replace belt instructions there is no mention of any retaining plates, or support bracket that bolts to the front of the transmission or bolts to keep the belt in position or to keep the transmission from jumping. I did not see anything like this. For this model is there supposed to be a retainer to keep the belt in place and or restrain movement of the transmission?
I will check to see how deep the belt sits in the pulleys and look for retaining plates or missing bolts for a support bracket that might hold the belt in place.
Last edited:
Redwood the bracket that I mentioned early is only on the rider trannys. In your case I would make sure there isn't grass buildup in the transmission pulley, which is common, and also make sure the transmission pulley isn't worn. The only other possible think I can think off is possibly incorrect belt. I am going to check one other thing and made come back with more info.
mechanic mark
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Post your model & serial numbers. Remove deck, clean topside & underside with blower, not water. Hands on, wear gloves, inspect pulleys for wear inside groove & look at top of pulley's as well as underside for metal missing & sharp edges, spinning by hand is there any resistance, grab each pulley with both hands and try rocking back and forth & up and down, this will let you know if mandrel bearings as well as mandrel assembly is worn out. Check all hardware for being tight and secure and in place.This is a good time to clean, inspect, dress up with file all blades & balance blades before reinstalling. Be sure to grease and lube all moving parts on deck & tractor including sector & pinion steering shaft gears. Avoid getting grease or oil on belts, if you do so wipe off immediately with clean shop towel. Lastly, inspect trans axle drive belt for replacement before reinstalling deck.