FAQ: Why Does My Lawn Tractor Belt Keep Breaking?

How does a mower belt break?

Why am I Breaking So Many Belts on My Mower?

1. The most common problem with deck belts is excessive grass clipping on the deck. Grass clipping can work there way under pulleys and deck covers which can lead to more serious problems.
2. Here a big problem that is missed a lot.
3. Last but not least pulleys can cause big problems.

How do I know if my lawn mower pulley is bad?

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Idler Pulley

1. Visibly worn pulleys. One of the first symptoms of an issue with an idler pulley is visible wear on the pulley.
2. Belt squealing. Another common symptom of a possible issue with the idler pulley is squealing from the engine belts.
3. Damaged bearing or pulley.

Are Kevlar belts better for lawn mowers?

Kevlar belts won’t stretch as much and will give you a better chance of them staying on. Regular industrial belts are made to be put on equipment that runs steady, not a start and stop like mowers do.

What is the best lawn mower belt?

Our Top 6 Lawn Mower Belt Reviews of 2021

• #1 Craftsman Replacement Deck Belt.
• #2 Max Power Deck Drive Belt.
• #3 Toro V-Belt 35 x 3/8 Inch.
• #4 John Deere Original Equipment Flat Belt.
• #5 Murray Lawn Mower Blade Belt 42-inch Deck.
• #6 Honda Genuine OEM Harmony II Drive V-Belt.

Why does my belt keep slipping off?

Slipping can be the result of a loss of belt tension (or a weak automatic tensioner) or pulley misalignment. When the belt slips off the track, the friction between the belt and accessory drive pulleys causes the belt to overheat. If you hear a high pitched squealing noise, it’s probably time for a switch.

Can you stretch a lawn mower belt?

Yes, lawnmower belts can stretch. Continuous wear due to regular operation can cause them to elongate over time. When it stretches more than it should, it can result in the drive belts lose grip on the pulley system.

Why does AV belt slip?

Improper belt tension is the most common and obvious cause of slip, which generates unwanted heat. The friction that occurs when a V – belt slips in a pulley causes belt sidewalls to become glazed, and decreases gripping ability.

How tight should riding mower belt be?

Roughly, starting out about as tight as an alternator belt, maybe an inch of play side to side So, tight but not super tight, hard to explain it just takes practice. Too tight is no good, I find if it’s tight enough where it doesn’t slap around at all then it’s also too tight, ain’t life grand.

Can you adjust belt tensioner?

When the belt stretches, it can begin to slip, if left unattended. Not all types of drive belt systems can be adjusted. Cars equipped with an automatic belt tensioner adjust themselves over time and do not require adjustment. This article shows you the process to adjust drive belts on a pivot-style belt adjuster.

Why did my mower blades stop working?

If your mower blades will not turn after the blade controls have been engaged, your deck belt may be broken. The deck is located directly under the operators seat. This belt spins the mowers blades and runs through a pulley system of idlers. If the belt has snapped, it will need to be replaced.

When should I replace my lawn mower belt?

There’s no definite amount of time that a mower belt is supposed to last, but increased mower use shortens the interval in which a belt needs replacement. Simply put, more use equals more wear. Additionally, faulty belts or mechanical failures like a seized pulley can make lawn mower belts break prematurely.

What are the symptoms of a bad belt tensioner?

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Drive Belt Tensioner

• Grinding or squeaking noise from the belts or tensioner. The most common symptom of a bad or failing drive belt tensioner is noise from the belts or tensioner.
• Unusual belt wear. Another symptom of a potential problem with the drive belt tensioner is unusual belt wear.
• Belt-driven accessories fail.

How much does it cost to replace an idler pulley?

The total price to replace the idler pulley typically ranges between $80 and $200, with the parts ranging between $40 and $90, and the total labor cost averaged between $40 and $110.