1864 / 54GT deck throwing belt

[Mike McKown]

I would bend the idler arm down to where it's in the same plane of the blade pulley.


Without seeing a picture of the blade pulley and idler pulley in the wide angle, it's hard to tell but looks like it to me.

Idler pulley bolt needs to be tight. 45-50 ft lbs.?

Never seen a spec on it.

[ol'George]

Originally Posted by Mike McKown

I would bend the idler arm down to where it's in the same plane of the blade pulley.


Without seeing a picture of the blade pulley and idler pulley in the wide angle, it's hard to tell but looks like it to me.

Idler pulley bolt needs to be tight. 45-50 ft lbs.?

Never seen a spec on it.

Agreed!
And if I might add your idler bearing looks plum worn out and the idler needs not only to be closer to yer deck, but parrell,-- nutter words, flat with the deck or it will walk the belt off just like ewe are showin'
Take care of the bearing problem with a new idler or replace the bearing in it.
Then bend either the flat iron bracket or the mounting that the shoulder bolt inserts into(deck), I have seen the area become damaged/rotted or malformed so the idler dies not sit perfectly flat with the deck surface.
Then flingy off goes the expensive belt!:

[Mike McKown]

Hey, I didn't know those pictures moved.

The idler bearing is shot. Looks like it and sounds like it.

[ol'George]

Originally Posted by Mike McKown

Hey, I didn't know those pictures moved.

The idler bearing is shot. Looks like it and sounds like it.

Well we all 'larned somethin' I didn't know they had sound Ha, Lol!

[amanfrromthere]

Originally Posted by Mike McKown

Hey, I didn't know those pictures moved.

The idler bearing is shot. Looks like it and sounds like it.

Thanks, I just went ahead and ordered a new idler pulley. Between that and trying to bend the bracket, hopefully that'll get her going for now at least.

[Mike McKown]

Originally Posted by amanfrromthere

Thanks, I just went ahead and ordered a new idler pulley. Between that and trying to bend the bracket, hopefully that'll get her going for now at least.

You can bend the deck easier than you can bend the bracket. That is, if it needs bending after the new pulley.

[ol'George]

Originally Posted by amanfrromthere

Thanks, I just went ahead and ordered a new idler pulley. Between that and trying to bend the bracket, hopefully that'll get her going for now at least.

Do check your deck to see if the hole area for the shoulder bolt is not "compromised" allowing it be sitting at an angle.
if so buck it up and whack it with a BFH/sledge and put a large washer on either side for rigidity.
---might not have to bend the idler arm

[amanfrromthere]

The new idler pulley seems to have done the trick.

There are a few compromised spots on the deck, but luckily the mounting hole for the shoulder bolt appears really solid.


Of course, as soon as I fixed that, I went to check fluids and now the hydro oil cap just spins and won't come off

[Sam Mac]

Remove the rear bagger / hitch plate, clean around the top of the trans and unscrew the dip stick tube.