Yardman (Cub Cadet) RZT-50 drive belt slipping

[GroundLoop]

Tractor has 580 hours on it. Replaced the original belt with an 8TEN Belt 810-CBL2440T (57" x 1/2") belt and have about the same slippage. Took the tensioner pulley off and the bearing pulley still feel tight. However I noticed about 1/2" of up and down play in the tensioner arm and lots of wear on the pulley track. Took tensioner mounting bolt and washer off and did not see anything out of the ordinary. Seems to me the tensioner arm is not pushing enough force as I can easily spin the pulley with everything together and the belt is easily pulled with little force. Only thing I can think of is the spring but it does not look stretched at all.

I bought a new Stens pulley to replace it just because I heard it is a wear item and it is also can be used on the cutting deck. Might just go ahead and replace the pulley.

Should the tensioner arm have up and down movement? Anyone else have this problem?

 

[ILENGINE]

Two things come to mind. 1- MTD products do not like non-OEM Belts. Just because the belt exchange says it is a 1/2 x 57 doesn't make it so. And 2- Check the engine pulley for a groove which could prevent proper grip on the pulley.

 

[GroundLoop]

Engine pulley looked fine. But new belt with maybe 10 hours on it does not look fine. Ordered OEM MTD belt. Thank you.

 

[StarTech]

Also make the hole in item 2 and the stepped washer (item 8) shoulder is not heavily worn as this can tension problems.

 

[GroundLoop]

Two things come to mind. 1- MTD products do not like non-OEM Belts. Just because the belt exchange says it is a 1/2 x 57 doesn't make it so. And 2- Check the engine pulley for a groove which could prevent proper grip on the pulley.

Finally got the OEM belt after being shipped the wrong belt. Tractor works like it used too. Thank you. Lesson learned.