Replacement motion belt for Murray Widebody LT 17.5 hp 46 inch deck

[snarfsmojo]

I am having issues with the new to me lawn tractor I just purchased.

First and fore most, I don't know the exact model. The sticker under the seat that should have the model information has been worn away.
I do know that the mower is a Murray WideBody LT with a 17.5 hp engine with a hydrostatic transmission and a 46 inch cutting deck. Based on that info, and the way the
belts are configured I believe it is a model # 46581x92A

I have attached pictures, in case someone knows by looking at it if I am right.

This mower came to me with a bad motion/drive belt. It squealed a lot and wouldn't go up a small grade. I pulled off the mower deck and
removed the motion/drive belt. It was labelled as a 37x61 belt. I purchased a replacement belt, and put it on. The replacement belt
is definitely working better than the one it came with, but also isn't 100%. I can hear it squealing a little and definitely smell a burning
rubber/plastic smell.

Based on the pictures, does anyone know if I am correct about this machine's model #?
Does anyone know if there is a way to tighten the tension of a drive belt on this machine?
Is it possible to just buy a belt that is a bit smaller? The 37x61 is a 1/2 inch by 95 inch belt. I was thinking maybe of picking up a 1/2 by 94 inch belt and trying that.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Snarf

 

[Boobala]

Does this look "Familiar" ... different paint, different trans,.. I have the 6 speed trans, BUT the drive belt should be the same, I buy my belts from 1 place only because they're OEM sized, ( IMPORTANT ) , Murray produced NO Service Manuals, some adjustments are in the OWNER'S Guide which I can E-mail to you if you send me a PM with your E-mail address (unable to up-load PDF's on this forum) ....... check to see under YOUR mower if your belt set-up is the same....mine is engine to trans with 1 idler tension pulley ..... see diagram for belt and P/Ns ...... Boo

View attachment 37617...View attachment 37618 .... Pics are from when I just bought it

View attachment 37619...View attachment 37620

https://www.repairclinic.com/Shop-F.../Model-42516X92B-Murray-Lawn-Mower-Belt-Parts

 

[bertsmobile1]

Burning rubber smells come from friction caused by the belt rubbing on something that does not move like it should.
Burning plastic smells come from one of the 3 plastic pulleys shown in the diagram below with a duff bearing
https://www.jackssmallengines.com/jacks-parts-lookup/manufacturer/murray/2000-models/lawn-garden/riders/lawn-tractors/46-cut/46581x92a-lawn-tractor-2000/motion-drive
The plastic pulley near the front is there to divert the belt around the steering stem and the 3 at the back on the pivoting plate do the clutching.
Pulleys number # 16 are flat as the back of the belt runs on them while # 18 is a V pulley.
There is some adjustment via the pawl part # 9 but when adjusting that the brake will also have to be backed off a little or you will be trying to drive & brake at the same time.

Check both the engine and the transmission pulleys carefully.
If they are polished on the bottom of the V they are worn beyond their limit and need to be replaced.

 

[snarfsmojo]

All the pulleys seem fine, they spin freely

 

[bertsmobile1]

Just to narrow things down a bit on the engine either on a tag riveted to the blower housing or stamped into the rocker cover should be some numbers
We need to know all of them and in particular the serial number as that has the date code of the engine which should be within 1 year of the mowers DOM.

Have a close look at the front and back pulleys.
Look for a polished area where the belt runs, it should only be on the sides of the V groove .
If it is in the middle then the pulley is worn out and needs replacing.
Also check the fan at is on top of the transmission ( helps if you are a bat & can hang from the ceiling ).
The fan is not held particularly well and if you can rotate it without rotatig the pulley as well it is deceased and will need to be replaced as without it the transmission will overheat.