Riding mower problem

[Tx Redneck]

I was given my grandfather's riding mower after my grandmother passed away. It's an MTD 46" cut w/a 21HP Briggs Intek.

The problem I'm having is, it keeps smoking the deck drive belt that comes off the crank to power the cutting deck. I've checked pulley alignment, removed the pulley and cleaned the mating surfaces of the bearing/washer/spacers, the bearings spin freely, as do the blades.

I'm stumped. I've replaced the belt thinking it had the wrong one, but the problem persists. Any ideas or suggestions, I'm all ears.

Bryan

Saved and Texan by the Grace of God, Redneck by choice.

[Sleeper]

Bearing locking up? Edit, My reading skills suck..

What does everything look like when its engaged, motor off of course.

[Tx Redneck]

Everything looks good, that's why I'm stumped. I'll take some pics and post them later, I managed to irritate an old back injury trying to work on it.

Saved and Texan by the Grace of God, Redneck by choice.

[mstng86]

Are you using the right size belt? Just another thing to eliminate.

[Tx Redneck]

Yeah, I paid the OEM tax for a "genuine" belt, only to have it get toasted in a few minutes. I'm gonna order a new idler pulley and replace its mounting bolt to eliminate them as culprits and get another new belt.

Saved and Texan by the Grace of God, Redneck by choice.

[greenbullitt]

does it utilize a tensioner?

[SEB]

To small a belt! Ask me how I know

[Tx Redneck]

Tension is applied by the lever that engages the belt and tension is "regulated" via a coil spring. There's a small cable opposite the spring that prevents over tensioning of the belt. With the belt engaged, it's good and snug.

Saved and Texan by the Grace of God, Redneck by choice.

[Tx Redneck]

To small a belt! Ask me how I know

What do you base this on? I ask because I got the OEM belt as prescribed by the parts list pdf.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0017OV6IS

http://imgur.com/a/r4QNP


Saved and Texan by the Grace of God, Redneck by choice.

[dee]

Have you made sure the crank is true?

[Bonestk87]

deck

-Does the mower deck have 2 belts, 1 from engine to mow deck and then 1 that turns all 3 blades?
-Is the belt routed correctly?
-Are you sure all the blade bearings and idlers spin freely while under a load?
-The stock blade belt will be much fatter than a car v-belt.
-Oil dripping onto the belt somewhere?

I would have someone get on the mower and start it up. Get on the non grass discharge side and have the person sitting on the mower engage the blades. This is a last resort but you should see the problem.

Jeremy

[Tx Redneck]

Have you made sure the crank is true?

That's a very good question. I assume so since the main seal isn't leaking, nor does the mower shake like the crank is bent.

-Does the mower deck have 2 belts, 1 from engine to mow deck and then 1 that turns all 3 blades?
-Is the belt routed correctly?
-Are you sure all the blade bearings and idlers spin freely while under a load?
-The stock blade belt will be much fatter than a car v-belt.
-Oil dripping onto the belt somewhere?

I would have someone get on the mower and start it up. Get on the non grass discharge side and have the person sitting on the mower engage the blades. This is a last resort but you should see the problem.

Jeremy

Yes, it has two, one from the crank and one that drives all three blades. I am using the proper belt as aforementioned. I've tried holding the seat down w/the blades engaged lie you said, but it's still not apparent as to what the problem is.

I did notice belt fragments in the idler, so it may be failing under load, but otherwise spins freely.



Saved and Texan by the Grace of God, Redneck by choice.