Yard-Man Deck drive belt dilemma

[Nizzy]

Year:2007
Model: 13AO772H755
Serial: 1B057B30050

Hi all, new guy post. I haven even hit the intro page.

Last summer, I purchased this '07 Yard-Man and was pleasantly shocked at how well it performed compared to my old troy-built. I'm on a quest for a ZTR someday, but this Yard-Man is doing the job for now. Sadly, my deck drive belt snapped and I have had no luck finding a suitable replacement. E-replacement parts website calls for a 954-04142 belt. I ordered th Pix 954-04142 and it's about 2-3" too long. I tried the 954-04122 and it worked for a week and stretched too much. I need about an inch out of it to make it work.

Any suggestions? I've burned nearly $80 in belts from Lowes and another $25 on the Pix belt. Is there a difference between the MTD and Pix versions? Is the parts list wrong? It could be. I noticed A-14 on their diagram is way off.

It's my bday weekend, I'd like to resolve this and mow my insanely tall yard before I go back to work Wednesday.

Thanks in advance

 

[ILENGINE]

The 954-04142 is correct according to the MTD dealer site. Still could be wrong. Make sure that you don't have a missing spring or something. They can go flying when belts break sometimes. Some of those decks allow both idler pulleys to move, and if a tension spring is missing one pulley could be sitting too far forward.

 

[Nizzy]

Thanks, I'll check it out in the morning. I didn't notice anything while installing the belt earlier, but perhaps I over looked something. I'll post pictures if I'm at a loss or can't seem to find the "missing link"

 

[bertsmobile1]

Mower belts do not stretch, they wear thin so become loose/

Pulleys wear thin so the belt runs deeper so it goes loose.

Check the very root of all of the pulleys.
I one is polished ring down the bottom then it is worn beyond use & needs to be replaced.
Bad news is if one is that worn the others will not be far behind.
That is a complicated deck with a lot of springs and a lot of pivot points.
All the pivots need to be free & lubed and all the springs need to be tight.
Double check the belt routing as you can easily get them wrong ( we have all done it ).

Just to be sure are you talking about the engine to deck belt 954-40142
OR
The blade belt 954-0349

 

[Nizzy]

Fixed. The problem was the pivot point for the tensioner pulley was nearly seized from all the dirt and grass that was building up between the parts. Initially, the tensioner seemed to move about 1/2". After taking it apart and giving each metal to metal contact point a thin layer of grease, it has full range of motion and works great. I'm currently running the 954-04122 belt and reserving the PIX 04142 for the next breaking. I would imagine that I won't need it for a couple seasons, but at least I have it.

Before anyone asks, yes, I lubed everything else while I had it off the body and torn apart. I had just replaced the PTO cable about 2 months ago as well. In theory, everything should be fine from this point (except the reverse safety switch, it's acting up, another topic for another thread).

Photos:

1) tensioner bracket before being cleaned, cover and springs removed for access
2) the testing of the blade engagement
3) side view

 

[bertsmobile1]

Good to hear.
The pivot points are supposed to be oiled at regular intervals but no one ever does sp you are in good company.
If your deck gets very dusty then plain grease is not good as it will hold the dust.
Dry chassi grease ( for next time ) is best or graphite grease.
While you are here, would you be kind enough to check out this thread
http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/showthread.php/44259-Parking-brake-stuck
If you have the same parking brake could you post some pickies of the mechanism, brake on & brake off so the OP can see what hers should look like ?
The problem area is where the parking brake latched into the foot brake rod. I think hers has slipped sideways then dropped off the stop.

 

[Nizzy]

Yeah, I can prop it up tomorrow for some photos I think. I've got to finish the yard anyway, so I'll definitely be on it.

Thanks to everyone for the advice and tips and tricks. Really came in handy and got my brain moving.