MTD Yard Man Deck Problem

[mdupre07]

Hello everyone. New to the forums. I came here to get help with my 42" MTD lawn tractor.

My deck seems to be crooked. I noticed it when I changed my deck belt. the "driver's side" is forward of the "passenger side" by a lot. This causes the belt to slip when mowing. I can take the belt off by hand in the raised/blade off position. I didn't hit anything, so I never really looked at it until I reassembled the hanger brackets. The deck seems "sloppy". I can move it forward and backward a little bit. I don't see any of the brackets or pulleys bent. How can I get this deck back straight? I saw the prices for new decks online. I'm not going there!!

I will post pics when I can.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Edit: According to the manual, my deck is the "G" deck.

 

[ILENGINE]

A model and serial number would be helpful, but from some of the information that you gave, I am guessing it is an older model with the one lever engagement and height control. The deck on the older models did sit at a good angle, to achieve the required blade overlap, so what you are seeing may be normal. The other thing about those older hangar type decks was the holes in the deck get worn, and it doesn't take much to get a lot of slop in the deck.

The main thing to look at is the condition of the belt. Is it glazed, or burnt on the surface. Also over time the engine pulley will open allowing the belt to bottom out, which will cause slippage. Also make sure you are using MTD oem belts. Generic off the shelf belts won't work properly.

 

[BRubble]

On my 1988 38" MTD; the deck is closer to the rear tire on the Right Side.

Double Check with the manual, to make sure that the Deck Bracket's are connected properly.

On my Mower, it has Belt Guide's, on the Deck Pulley's as well as the Engine Drive Shaft Pulley, to prevent the Belt from coming off.

Make sure that you got the Correct Size Belt for your Mower.

I just changed out the Deck Belt on mine,, and it was a tight fit. I've alway's used an MTD Belt, so I don't know about the after market belt's.

Good Luck

 

[Carscw]

MTD is one of the brands you have to use a MTD belt on them.

Number one reason a belt comes off is belt is old.

 

[mdupre07]

Thanks everyone. The belt is a brand new Gates# 6904. Couldn't find 6402BR. It's the green belt. I haven't had problems with this brand of belt and I've had the mower for 3 years. This problem is recent. I haven't tried the belt tension fix with lengthening the rod. Don't know if it would help. The guides are in place on the engine pulley. The blade pulleys don't have guides. Just covers, and they're off at the moment (just replaced the belt). I noticed that when I engage the blades, the deck does have resistance and moves back like it should, but the square plate with the big hole in it bottoms out against the transmission case. It won't move any farther back. If it would, the blades would have more tension on them. Could something be bent? I work nights, and have limited time in the afternoon to look at this.

I should also note that the blade engagement handle will not go into the last slot at the bottom. I would never cut in that position, but it might be an indication of the problem.

On another note, I would like to thank the informative posters on this site. Before I joined, I found a solution to a "won't start with new battery" problem I had. Adjusted my valves to .005 and it runs like new. Only now...it won't cut the grass!

I will post the model and serial numbers tomorrow.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[ILENGINE]

With the plate hitting the tranny means one of two things. Either the pins are worn on the linkage, or the belt is toooooooooooooooooooo longggggggggggggg. Part of the reason everybody says you have to use MTD belts is they are not 5/8 width like the conversion tables say. They are 23/32 width.

 

[mdupre07]

Thanks, I will look into that. As promised, here are the numbers:

Model# 13AF693G118

Serial# 1C142B70342

I have used this belt for years, without issue. If I have a worn out hanger assembly, a shorter belt would solve the problem.

 

[mdupre07]

Next thing I would like to find is the service manual for this lawn mower. Any ideas on that?

 

[mdupre07]

On the correct belt issue, every belt online that claims OEM is 5/8" in width. Who has the 23/32"? How can I tell the difference?

 

[ILENGINE]

That's the thing, the 5/8 width that MTD says is actually 23/32. Then you throw in the proprietry features and the belt will sit different in the pulleys.