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  #1  
Old 07-05-2012, 09:05 PM
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SharkyOhio SharkyOhio is offline
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Default Mule Drive belt on a 149
I've been mowing with a model 149 with a 38-inch deck for two seasons. Last time I ran the deck, the mule drive belt (IH-490489-R2), came off. It came off without breaking, so I re-installed it and finished mowing without incident.

Then when I took the tractor out to mow today, as soon as I engaged the PTO the belt came off; only this time it broke. I had a brand new spare belt (also an IH-490489-R2), so I installed it. I mowed a small area without incident, but when I disengaged the PTO, the belt broke again!

I checked the mule drive pulleys, deck alignment, everything checked out or at least seemed okay. I had done a lot of mowing with the first belt mentioned above, and never had any issues. The belts are not getting torn up or shredded; just breaking in half clean in one spot.

After losing two belts in short order today, I'm almost afraid to sacrifice another one without finding the cause. Does anyone have any suggestions for trouble shooting this problem?
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Tractor #1--1972 Model 149 with rear lift
Tractor #2--1972 Model 149 with rear lift
1A tiller w/both extensions, 38" & 42" Mower Decks, Wheel Weights, Ohio Steel Fabricators 10" mold board plow, two 42" snow blades, QA-42A Snow Thrower, Brinly Sleeve Hitch
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Old 07-06-2012, 05:56 AM
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cdlong cdlong is offline
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My 50" deck did the same thing. Check all pulleys for nicks. My mule had several and they were cutting the belt over time. Used a Dremel tool to smooth them out and several coats of paint. No problems now.
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1984 CCC 582 w/ creeper, 42" blade, 44C deck, 220# wheel weights, 2 link chains & adjusters, Spring assist lift.
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Old 07-06-2012, 06:47 AM
R Bedell R Bedell is offline
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What CD said and are you engaging the PTO at a low level engine RPM?
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[B]Roland Bedell[/B]

CC Models: 100, 105, 1450, 782, (2) 784, & 2072

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Old 07-06-2012, 08:41 AM
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SharkyOhio SharkyOhio is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by R Bedell View Post
What CD said and are you engaging the PTO at a low level engine RPM?
Yes. I engage the PTO at half throttle.

The strange thing is that everything was working fine for a long time. Then all of a sudden this starts happening.

I am really scratching my head on this one because the PTO clutch is newly rebuilt, the tension spring is brand new, the pulleys are running quiet, everything is straight.

When the new belts arrive I will remove the deck and check everything closely. Hopefully I will find the problem.

Thanks for the replies!
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Tractor #1--1972 Model 149 with rear lift
Tractor #2--1972 Model 149 with rear lift
1A tiller w/both extensions, 38" & 42" Mower Decks, Wheel Weights, Ohio Steel Fabricators 10" mold board plow, two 42" snow blades, QA-42A Snow Thrower, Brinly Sleeve Hitch
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  #5  
Old 07-06-2012, 08:52 AM
R Bedell R Bedell is offline
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I had a Mule Drive Pulley let go about 3 yrs ago. It developed a crack that by casual observation, I didn't catch. Upon close examination, I saw the crack, replaced the pulley, and have had no problems since.

I have run IH Mule Drive Belts for over 5+ yrs and still going strong.
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[B]Roland Bedell[/B]

CC Models: 100, 105, 1450, 782, (2) 784, & 2072

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  #6  
Old 07-06-2012, 02:05 PM
cubcadet cubcadet is offline
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maybe the belt is too small or too tight maybe the pullies have rust and that will ruin the belt if there is rust on them
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Old 07-06-2012, 05:01 PM
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SharkyOhio SharkyOhio is offline
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Default IH-490489-R2 Mule Drive Belt
Quote:
Originally Posted by R Bedell View Post
I had a Mule Drive Pulley let go about 3 yrs ago. It developed a crack that by casual observation, I didn't catch. Upon close examination, I saw the crack, replaced the pulley, and have had no problems since.
Yes Sir. I am going to go over it with a fine toothed comb.

I was able to pick up a new belt today from the local cub dealer. At $28 dollars a pop, I'm going to be very careful with this new belt.

Regarding the IH-490489-R2 belt. I noticied that the new belt I bought today is slightly wider than the previous belts I had with the same part number. I read somewhere on the internet that there was a "bad batch" of these belts made by a supplier for Cub Cadet. By bad batch I mean the belts were not made to OEM specs.

DSC_0673a.jpg DSC_0675a.jpg

On the left is one of the the belts I bought in 2010. It is 3/8 inch wide. To the Right is the belt I bought today. It is 7/16 inch wide.
Note the identical part numbers with different specifications.

DSC_0676.jpg
Here is the side by side comparison. The year noted is when I bought the belt. It may not be the actual production year.
Note: The belt on the left is not worn.
It was on my tractor all of about 30 seconds before it broke
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Tractor #1--1972 Model 149 with rear lift
Tractor #2--1972 Model 149 with rear lift
1A tiller w/both extensions, 38" & 42" Mower Decks, Wheel Weights, Ohio Steel Fabricators 10" mold board plow, two 42" snow blades, QA-42A Snow Thrower, Brinly Sleeve Hitch
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  #8  
Old 07-06-2012, 05:29 PM
restore49 restore49 is offline
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Few years back changed the mule drive pulleys to run A-A78 belt (1/2 x 80) at $4.68 runs just fine. Bob
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Old 07-06-2012, 09:03 PM
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Matt G. Matt G. is offline
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For not being worn, the belt on the left in your pic has a lot of marks on the outside...I wonder if your belt is rolling over?
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Old 07-06-2012, 09:49 PM
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SharkyOhio SharkyOhio is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt G. View Post
For not being worn, the belt on the left in your pic has a lot of marks on the outside...I wonder if your belt is rolling over?
Like I said, I put it on and that 3/8" belt lasted about 30 seconds. The belt broke and ended wrapped up around the center of the mower deck. That's where the marks came from...

Update: I installed the 7/16" version of part # IH-490489-R2 (the one I bought today), and I mowed 1/3 acre with no problems. I didn't change anything else or make any repairs.

At this time I am inclined to believe the 3/8" belts that were sold to me as part # IH-490489-R2 back in 2010 were the problem. (Note: IH-490489-R2 was actually stamped on the belts, so it was not Partstree's fault).

Be aware if your mule drive uses this belt. You may want to avoid the 3/8" belts if some dealers are still stocking them as NOS.
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Tractor #1--1972 Model 149 with rear lift
Tractor #2--1972 Model 149 with rear lift
1A tiller w/both extensions, 38" & 42" Mower Decks, Wheel Weights, Ohio Steel Fabricators 10" mold board plow, two 42" snow blades, QA-42A Snow Thrower, Brinly Sleeve Hitch
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