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Hello,
I am a beginner when it comes to mower repair.

I have a scotts s1642 and yesterday while mowing, the drive belt came off. I found a diagram showing the routing and took a picture and used the diagram to place the belt back in the proper location but as soon as I start the mower, it comes off again. I dont put it into gear or anything, I start the mower and look underneath and the belt is off. I did this twice. Each time after replacing the belt back in proper position, checking the tightness and re-tightening the spring loaded pulley, everything looked and felt great. Start the mower and boom, off again. Any ideas?

Thank you
Clint

Without looking at the mower it hard to tell what the problem is. One of the first things I would suspect is something wrong with the belt. Then also check for something out of alignment or a pulley bearing going bad? If you decide you need a belt make sure you buy the right belt from the dealer.

reynoldston said:

Without looking at the mower it hard to tell what the problem is. One of the first things I would suspect is something wrong with the belt. Then also check for something out of alignment or a pulley bearing going bad? If you decide you need a belt make sure you buy the right belt from the dealer.

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Ok I will go check these things and report back. Also if I can take a picture or video of anything to help explain, let me know and I will do so.

Also, how tight should the belt be? It felt tight to me.. it was really hard to get it over that last pulley even with the spring loaded pulley moving.

Thank you

Ok im checking all the pulleys and they all seem to turn easy. The only one that takes a little pressure to turn Is the rear most pulley that drives the fan and the rear end. Sound ok?

Here is the route and as many good pics as I could take.
The silver pulley is at the front and that little string of fray is not on the belt, just debris.
My biggest concern is in the multi pulley pic, looks as if the belt is touching but that is how diagram has it.

clintimania said:

Ok im checking all the pulleys and they all seem to turn easy. The only one that takes a little pressure to turn Is the rear most pulley that drives the fan and the rear end. Sound ok?

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Just taking a guess without seeing anything just maybe some of the cords broke inside of the belt where you can't physically see them? You say the pulleys turn easy but do the bearing turn smooth and don't wobble ? Something is wrong but it is something you will have look for or you might need someone who has some experience to give you a hand on this.

I will also say it's going to be the belt. Most times when a belt keeps coming off its time to replace it.

(( cowboy up and get over it ))

Carscw said:

I will also say it's going to be the belt. Most times when a belt keeps coming off its time to replace it.

(( cowboy up and get over it ))

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Yeah even if something else is wrong. I am going to go ahead and get a new one. I am this deep into it, I might as well change it and have that checked off the list.
I will get that going and let you all know the results.

Thanks again for all the tips

There is disagreement whenever I say this but, If you plan on buying a belt buy the right belt from a dealer. I don't know the number of time I have seen someone buy a automotive style belt and now don't understand why it keeps coming off.

reynoldston said:

There is disagreement whenever I say this but, If you plan on buying a belt buy the right belt from a dealer. I don't know the number of time I have seen someone buy a automotive style belt and now don't understand why it keeps coming off.

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Yeah I ordered one from the manufacturer.

clintimania said:

Yeah I ordered one from the manufacturer.

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you could have gone to most any repair shop and got one today

(( cowboy up and get over it ))

clintimania said:

Yeah I ordered one from the manufacturer.

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When you have the belt off, check the pulley in your first photo the one in front it seems a little off line to me, it could just be the way the photo was taken.

Carscw said:

you could have gone to most any repair shop and got one today

(( cowboy up and get over it ))

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When you say most shops now you run into problems because I find around here they will sell you anything just to sell you a belt now you have spent money for a new belt that you can't use. Buy from a good dealer and get the right belt the first time.

Check the "LEAN" of the pully support posts, to see if they have bent over time. If they are off-angle, that will shorten the distance the belt is supposed to travel causing slack. Also, makes the pulley operate at an angle to dump the belt off of them.

Av8or-Dave said:

Check the "LEAN" of the pully support posts, to see if they have bent over time. If they are off-angle, that will shorten the distance the belt is supposed to travel causing slack. Also, makes the pulley operate at an angle to dump the belt off of them.

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Kinda hope the OP has resolved this by now since it has been nearly 9 yrs since his last post.