[bellsix]

I have 48" cut 27 HP craftsman garden tractor. Every week I have replaced the V-belt, for 4 weeks in row. This is the belt that connects the drive to the blade pulley. I cannot fiqure out what keeps popping the belt in half. I have put the belt on and checked the clearance and see no issues. I have noticed that their is some vibration once the new belt is put on. The belt usually lasts one cut of the yard.

 

[Phil G]

I have 48" cut 27 HP craftsman garden tractor. Every week I have replaced the V-belt, for 4 weeks in row. This is the belt that connects the drive to the blade pulley. I cannot fiqure out what keeps popping the belt in half. I have put the belt on and checked the clearance and see no issues. I have noticed that their is some vibration once the new belt is put on. The belt usually lasts one cut of the yard.

Wow, bet they love you at the parts store I'd check the pulleys to see if they have any sharp edges on them, assuming they're pressed steel type. Also check the line of travel, could the belt be rubbing somewhere? Is it the right genuine part number and the right section belt. Take your time and check these out carefully. Is it a straight cut? Any signs of abrasion?
Good luck Phil :usflag:

 

[jkason]

Check the shafts also (make sure they're not wobbling).

 

[Restrorob]

I cannot fiqure out what keeps popping the belt in half.

This could be caused from engaging the PTO clutch at too high of engine RPM, When a clutch is engaged it's all at once and puts a good snatch on a belt.

If your not doing so try engaging at half throttle then once the blades reach the half throttle speed rev to full throttle to mow.

As Phil mentioned about a genuine belt, Most Sears belts are raw edge. Most over the counter aftermarket belts are wrapped, A wrapped belt is less forgiving to the sudden snatch a PTO clutch provides when engaged thus snapping more often than the raw edge.

Good Luck

 

[Partsangel]

Hmmm...Interesting..

have noticed that their is some vibration once the new belt is put on.

I would check all your pulleys from the engine pulley to each blade pulley for a piece of small wood or in my area a sweet gum ball (swear) in the V part of your pulleys. this is a very common event in mower decks that arnt protected from grass and debris from entering that area. A new belt would vibrate alot but as it wears down it would vibrate less but it will finally fail as you have told us. If thats not the problem then next time you install a new belt keep your engine off and engage your manual pto and make sure nothing is rubbing next to the belt, if your mower has an electric pto the the same examination aplies. always use original belts that are made for your mower or exact replacement belts made for your mower, automotive belts are built to different standards and never work right.

I hope this helps...

Mike

 

[Juan_Deere]

Another thing to consider. Are you forcing the new belts on? For instance, using a screwdriver to get it over the pulleys? I'm thinking your first belt just gave way from age or use. The rest you have been damaging during installation and causing a weak point that fails when stress is being placed on it.

 

[FIXDISS]

Sounds like you could be overlooking one of the belt guide bars or the little belt guide plates . Also like mentionned by Partsangel after installing belt, visualy inspect it to make sure it is not rubbing against anything. I believe when installing the primary deck belt on this unit you actually have to disconnect the deck lift bar on the left side in order to properly align belt. Just a couple of things to check. Hope this helps.

 

[topsites]

Check ALL the BEARINGS and BUSHINGS on every thing that belt rides on.

 

[mowerknower]

Solution: Get rid of the crapsman, problem solved.
But since I know you wont do that, do the obvious check for bent pulleys, check for sticks, rocks or pine cones jammed in pulleys, check bearings, make sure you are not putting it around a belt finger, make sure all guards and guides are in the right spots. Also make sure you are using the oem belt.

 

[milike]

Solution: Get rid of the crapsman, problem solved.
But since I know you wont do that, do the obvious check for bent pulleys, check for sticks, rocks or pine cones jammed in pulleys, check bearings, make sure you are not putting it around a belt finger, make sure all guards and guides are in the right spots. Also make sure you are using the oem belt.

I believe Krapsman is now spelled with a K ... (Mart) :dancing::dancing:

 

[fixer67]

Like was stated by other replies do not use belts from the auto parts stores. They are not designed to handle the shock loads the mower belts are subject to. The same belt that will last on your car for 75,000 miles will not last a week on your mower. You are taking 5 pounds of metal and accelerating it from a standing start to 200 miles per hour in a second flat. I have heard it compared to launching a jet off an aircraft carrier.
First make sure you have the right belt and then check all the pulleys and spindles and check the belt path like the other said. Good luck

 

[PEVO]

Make sure your idler/tensionier is in line with the rest of the pulleys. I had a older dixion w/a electric PTO that started eating belts as quickly as yours. It turned out that the tensioner idle pulley was bent out of line with the normal pulley path. This caused the belt to ride against the lip of the idler,...wearing on side of the belt till the cords started breaking & coming apart.

 

[Bobby945Velez]

Wow, bet they love you at the parts store I'd check the pulleys to see if they have any sharp edges on them, assuming they're pressed steel type. Also check the line of travel, could the belt be rubbing somewhere? Is it the right genuine part number and the right section belt. Take your time and check these out carefully. Is it a straight cut? Any signs of abrasion?
Good luck Phil :usflag:

My neighbor has a similar machine and has the same problems with the belts. They are constantly breaking.