Change main blade drive belt on Toro proline 36"

[Hamons]

Ok - although I have a commercial mower - I do not mow for a living. I am a landscaper.

I have 1990 36: proline 36" I have come across a problem. Somehow the main blade drive belt that goes from the blade clutch to the front of the mower slipped above the pulley. I cannot get it down below the pulley and I cannot figure out how to take the blade clutch pulley off with out dismantling half the mower.

Surely there has to be an easy way to change these blades.

I appreciate any help you can give me.

[DT Lawn Care]

Haha, you don't have to take the clutch off. You would probably have to take the engine off to do that. There should be a belt tensioner somewhere along the driveline. Loosen the belt, and it should be pretty straightforward from there. GL

[Hamons]

no belt tensioner - that would be too easy!

[DT Lawn Care]

Sorry if this pisses you off, but there HAS to be a belt tensioner, or else it has been welded in place? or something. I could not believe in my wildest dreams that Toro would design a WB without a belt tensioner. If you have a parts manual for it, check that, or else check your mower again.

Once again, I don't mean to piss you off by doubting you, but I cannot believe that. GL

[Hamons]

Don't worry about offending me --- I'm feeling pretty dumb as it si right now. I spent an hour or more on a job that seems like a 10 second job.

Here are some pics.

This is the part of the belt that leads to the main blade pulley. It is seated correctly. Those two bars on the side could be belt tensioners -- but they aren't even touching the belt.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OEszHqwwjJ4/SjWD1FFlmYI/AAAAAAAAMjs/UDMJbUKrCwI/s800/P6150426.JPG

This is the part of the belt not seated correctly -- It is on top of the pulley.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OEszHqwwjJ4/SjWD42lYS4I/AAAAAAAAMj0/oAUbnKXHPEw/s800/P6150428.JPG

No amount of trying to wedge it with a screwdriver, or lever witha wrench, can get it over that pulley!

[Shasta Lake Landscaping]

Spin the blades so that belt moves and at the same time slip it onto the pulley.

[Hamons]

tried that too.
Posted via Mobile Device

[DT Lawn Care]

No, those two "bars" are called fingers. They're supposed to keep the belts inline while the belts are running.

Man, I am truly speechless. All I can say is that there is a way to loosen the belt. I'm not in front of the mower right now, so I really can't advise you much. If you are confident that you can get a new belt ON, then you can cut the old one off, but that is about all the further advise that I can give you.

Good Luck, and I'm sorry *trucewhiteflag*

[DT Lawn Care]

Wait, is this a floating or pin-adjustable deck? You could try removing the pins if it is, and try moving the deck towards the engine. That would do it. From your first picture, I can see a pin with a cotter on it, so idk. GL

[Hamons]

That was the key -- You got it. Removed the deck -- Put the belt back on and worked like a champ

Next time I am in MI -- I ow you a beer!

[DT Lawn Care]

LOL, lucky guess. I am glad it worked out for you. :)