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Gents my 2014 42" hustler raptor which I have abused for 9 years,,,, deck belt is rubbing on the idler arm when the selector lever is at the highest cut setting with the PTO is selected. The idler spring is in good condition.
It is not touching when the height lever is moved down to shorter cut.
It is a new belt and the correct length for the 42" deck, the belt is routed correctly.
And the belt is slapping after it goes rear wards to the drive pulley, Im thinking the maybe the pivot spacer bushing and bolt on the idler arm might be worn??
A few months ago the leveler cam fell off the deck I never did find it so I jury rigged a bolt washers and a nut to keep the deck level with the fixed point on the rear right side of the deck.
Has this moved the deck fwd or aft enough to effect the length of the deck belt to touch the idler arm?
Any suggestions will be helpful.
Photos to follow if I can figure out how to attach them.
All the pulleys are new and the right dia.

Use your Hustler model & serial numbers to locate your OEM Hustler belt above.

mower model number 931714, belt number 793828 length 116" the new belt is the same length as the old belt, the old belt did not rub against the frond edge of the idler arm item # 6 in the IPC, thanks for the info.

Then most likely idler arm, bushing, and washers are worn allowing the idler to tilt under load.

Yes Sir that it what I thought. Thanks for the reply.

new idler arm and hardware it did not work, the belt is still rubbing against the front of the idler arm with the deck fully raised! Now is it suppose to rub the idler ?? I have never looked at the belt clearance with the deck fully up!!

Is it rubbing with the deck set to desired cutting height?
I had a Toro that the belt would sometimes jump off, when engaging the PTO with the deck in the highest position.
Lower your deck to the desired cutting height and look for any rubbing.
I never engage my PTO until I have lowered the deck to the desired cutting height.

You try a washer under the idler pulley to raise it a little. It might the standoff bushing is a little short.

Is the arm flat in the region where the belt rubs or turned up at 90 deg to the arm ?
If it is turned up then it is the belt keeper so either the belt is routed wrong or the pulley is wrong .
If the arm is flat then as Star suggests the stand off is wrong or the pulley is wrong
A photo would make what you are trying to explain a lot clearer .

Post complete Model & Serial #'s for your Raptor? Are pulleys that you replaced OEM Hustler Parts?

all the parts I have bought are OEM,my model number is 931714 all the pulleys should be 4"? I will try to get photos tomorrow. item # 13 PULLEY 603987 item #15 idler pulley 604219 4" flat, I will have to double double check the pulleys I have.

the belt only rubs across the front of the belt keeper at the highest setting. NOW I have NEVER checked the belt rubbing before this!! SO it could have been doing it for a long time. EEK. I took the rear bolts that hold the deck to the mower, there is no fwd aft movement to change the belt length. the front attachment does not change the deck fwd aft position. Tomorrow photos! Thanks for all the comments chaps.

I have found two different pulley numbers that fit on the blade spindles 603987 and 603988; the 603987 diameter is 4.75" the 603988 is for a 52" deck but cannot find the diameter; one site says 4.75; I have the 603988 pulleys I think well confusing.

Okay the 603987 [4.75 od] are "A" (1/2") section belts and the 603988 are for "B" (5/8") section belt per the IPL here. Now "A" belt will ride deep in the "B" pulleys and make the deck think you a longer than spec belt.

I found two OD sizes for the 603988 via DuckDuck one is 4.75 and the other is 4-13/16 but a 1/16" should not matter much as that is only 1/32" from the center pivot point.

See pages 6-10 & 11 in parts manual above items 18 & 19 bolts. Remove them for inspection & replacement, bolts should be grade 8 & 7/16" diameter if possible. These bolts are stressed each time PTO is engaged, also replace with new hardware. New Grade 8 can be purchased at Ace, Lowes, HD,
New deck belt is p/n 793828. Check your new idler pulleys location. Inspect spacers 9, 10, 14 for replacement. Thanks, Mark
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StarTech said:

Okay the 603987 [4.75 od] are "A" (1/2") section belts and the 603988 are for "B" (5/8") section belt per the IPL here. Now "A" belt will ride deep in the "B" pulleys and make the deck think you a longer than spec belt.

I found two OD sizes for the 603988 via DuckDuck one is 4.75 and the other is 4-13/16 but a 1/16" should not matter much as that is only 1/32" from the center pivot point.

Click to expand...

when I went to bed after posting the post I thought ARE the V's on the pulleys the same or is one deeper!!! Great minds Sir think alike. I emailed hustlerlawnmowerparts and asked them that question.The shop I bought my new blade spindles from has put the wrong pulleys on their spindle set. Making the belt longer. Will be looking at the pulleys today see what part number is stamped on them.Phots soon but its pouring hard here in SW Florida.

Send some my way here in south TN, very little rain in last two months. Matter the last few years my one acre pond goes dry so I have lost all my fish. Ten years ago it was full of water and lots of large fish but they can't live on dry land.

You guys in a drought???

Well if you call some local streams drying up a drought indicator then yes we are in a mild drought. If I had a garden I would be having to water it now. It one of the reason I plant drought tolerant plants like Irises and keep several garden plants in containers so limit the watering. Usually my rain barrels are half full most times but the last one just went dry so now I am depending on my well to water everything.

woow poor old planet

amazing what the right part number does on a machine, fitted the two 603987's and the mower now works, no rubbing against the idler arm.