mechanic mark
Lawn Pro
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- Jul 15, 2013
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SIMPLICITY BELTS BREAKING--SOLVING PROBLEM
I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD SIMPLICITY BROADMOOR LAWN TRACTOR WITH A 46 IN DECK. LAST YEAR THE UPPER IDLER ARM BROKE AND WAS REPLACED. THIS YEAR I HAVE HAD THREE PTO BELTS BREAK, SO I DECIDED TO TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I AM A MECHANIC BY TRADE, MILITARY AND CIVILIAN; I HAVE MOWED THREE ACRES SINCE MAKING THIS REPAIR WITH NO PROBLEMS. I HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU OUT:
THE FACTORY BOLT HOLDING THE IDLER ASSEMBLY'S TOGETHER IS A GRADE 5, 3/8 X 1 1/2" LONG BOLT. THIS BOLT WILL NOT HANDLE THE TORQUE AND STRESS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. TO CORRECT ISSUE, PURCHASE A GRADE 8, 7/16" BOLT 2 1/2" LONG WITH A SHOULDER 1 1/2" LONG, SHOULDER AREA IS FROM BOTTOM OF BOLT HEAD BEFORE THREADS START, AND A NEW SELF LOCKING NUT. A DRILL PRESS WITH VISE IS NECESSARY FOR ACCURACY. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A DRILL PRESS WITH A DRILL PRESS VISE AT HOME, TAKE DECK TO A MACHINE SHOP. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRILL BUSHINGS AND WASHERS IF YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO A DRILL PRESS WITH VISE, SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY AND OR DEATH MAY OCCUR! REMOVE DECK, FOR SAFETY REASONS HAVE SOMEONE HELP YOU HOLD DECK UPRIGHT ON ROLLERS AND LET REST ON SOMETHING SOLID LIKE A BRICK OR STONE WALL AND USE A SCOTCH BLOCK AGAINST ROLLERS. DISASSEMBLE IDLER ASSEMBLY AND INSPECT FOR WEAR, BUSHINGS AND IDLER ARMS AS WELL AS IDLER PULLEY'S AND SPRINGS. DRILL BUSHINGS, WASHERS, DECK AND BRACE WITH 7/16 COBALT OR TITANIUM DRILL BIT. INSTALL NEW GRADE 8 BOLT AND WASHER, GREASE SHANK AND BUSHINGS THOROUGHLY, COMPLETE ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL AND TIGHTEN SELF LOCKING NUT. REINSTALL DECK AND BELT. THE SHOULDER OF THE NEW BOLT WILL HANDLE THE TWISTING AND TURNING, TORQUE AND STRESS OF THE IDLER ASSEMBLY'S. JUST A REMINDER, THREADS ON A BOLT SHOULD NOT COME INTO CONTACT WITH ANY MOVING PART. GOOD LUCK!
I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD SIMPLICITY BROADMOOR LAWN TRACTOR WITH A 46 IN DECK. LAST YEAR THE UPPER IDLER ARM BROKE AND WAS REPLACED. THIS YEAR I HAVE HAD THREE PTO BELTS BREAK, SO I DECIDED TO TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I AM A MECHANIC BY TRADE, MILITARY AND CIVILIAN; I HAVE MOWED THREE ACRES SINCE MAKING THIS REPAIR WITH NO PROBLEMS. I HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU OUT:
THE FACTORY BOLT HOLDING THE IDLER ASSEMBLY'S TOGETHER IS A GRADE 5, 3/8 X 1 1/2" LONG BOLT. THIS BOLT WILL NOT HANDLE THE TORQUE AND STRESS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. TO CORRECT ISSUE, PURCHASE A GRADE 8, 7/16" BOLT 2 1/2" LONG WITH A SHOULDER 1 1/2" LONG, SHOULDER AREA IS FROM BOTTOM OF BOLT HEAD BEFORE THREADS START, AND A NEW SELF LOCKING NUT. A DRILL PRESS WITH VISE IS NECESSARY FOR ACCURACY. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A DRILL PRESS WITH A DRILL PRESS VISE AT HOME, TAKE DECK TO A MACHINE SHOP. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRILL BUSHINGS AND WASHERS IF YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO A DRILL PRESS WITH VISE, SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY AND OR DEATH MAY OCCUR! REMOVE DECK, FOR SAFETY REASONS HAVE SOMEONE HELP YOU HOLD DECK UPRIGHT ON ROLLERS AND LET REST ON SOMETHING SOLID LIKE A BRICK OR STONE WALL AND USE A SCOTCH BLOCK AGAINST ROLLERS. DISASSEMBLE IDLER ASSEMBLY AND INSPECT FOR WEAR, BUSHINGS AND IDLER ARMS AS WELL AS IDLER PULLEY'S AND SPRINGS. DRILL BUSHINGS, WASHERS, DECK AND BRACE WITH 7/16 COBALT OR TITANIUM DRILL BIT. INSTALL NEW GRADE 8 BOLT AND WASHER, GREASE SHANK AND BUSHINGS THOROUGHLY, COMPLETE ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL AND TIGHTEN SELF LOCKING NUT. REINSTALL DECK AND BELT. THE SHOULDER OF THE NEW BOLT WILL HANDLE THE TWISTING AND TURNING, TORQUE AND STRESS OF THE IDLER ASSEMBLY'S. JUST A REMINDER, THREADS ON A BOLT SHOULD NOT COME INTO CONTACT WITH ANY MOVING PART. GOOD LUCK!
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