982 mule drive belt rubbing, can't figure out why.
 

I just got my deck back together last week and I already trashed the belt. I usually go through one a year.......I maybe mow 10 times a year.....honestly. I have never really thought much about it but I'm really trying to get this tractor back to like new mechanically so I need to figure out what's wrong.
It has always rubbed because the hanger fork piece is worn bad.....what could be causing this? The deck has the wheel kit on it and they are set at the highest position.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks

Here are some different pictures I took last night. I also adjusted the hangers up as far as I could but it only helped a little bit. The first picture highlights where the rubbing is, it is worn about 1/8" into the bar.

What is the Belt Part Number..???

I am using a Gates High Power II B90 belt, circumference of 93". Do you think a CC belt would solve this problem?

I'm not using the CC belt because at $60 a pop I'd go broke replacing them as much as I do. I have read a lot on here about how the CC belts are great but I can't see how it would make any difference when it come to interference. It's a straight shot from the mule idlers to the deck pulley.

Something on your mule brackets doesn't look right to me.:bigthink:
I will look at mine tonight. I can't put my finger on it at the moment.

Okay, I might have an idea..........I've been thinking about this damn thing non stop since I posted. I think my front hangers are way too low.

I know from reading on this site that the main differences on the SGT decks are the larger center pulley and the longer front hangers. I just recently bought a really nice CC labeled 50c for future use cause it has almost no rust at all and it has the newer style bearings in it. I noticed that the front hangers are a lot taller than the ones on my deck......but it didn't pop in my head until right now.

If I raise those hangers up higher that should allow the mower adapter to stay higher...........correct? The mower adapter should be higher by nearly the same amount as I adjust the hanger up......except for the slop where the mower adapter lift arm insert into the hangers.


Somebody chime in and let me know what you think. I know my hangers are almost as low as they can go, and the deck I bought off of a super are probably .75" higher.......high enough for me to notice from looking it over.

My belt was rubbing on the cross brace of the mower hanger. The back of my hanger were it rides on shaft between frame rails had the hanger wore about an inch in a c shape letting the front of the hanger drop down too far. I welded them back so they were both flat again not c shaped and that picked the front up enough that the belt no longer rubs the cross brace.

I can't help you....... You didn't post any pics that lets us see how the belt is routed or where it is rubbing. :bigthink:

updated pictures above.

Well for starters the mule drive is wrong, you have one for a deck with the pulley in the center. If you look at this pic you'll notice that the pulleys are angled to guide the belt toward the deck drive pulley

I wonder if a PO thought they were bent and straightened the mule pulley mount brackets???.........I am fairly sure this is the original mower adaptor. The deck looks like it lines up correctly front to back so it must be from a super I would guess, wouldn't the deck be moved way ahead more? I would guess angling the adjusting pulley would move the belt to the side a little bit and help a little, I can try that tonight.

Thanks for noticing that Sam.