Another mule drive belt question- 1/2 or 3/8

[Graflex45]

Originally Posted by R Bedell

In looking into this farther, the 44A Mower Decker came in two versions. It all came down to the diameter of the Center Pulley. With that in mind, what is the Center Pulley Diameter on the deck you have ??

I dont know the exact size, but its the slower speed pulley with the larger upper pulley for the pto belt.
My deck is built out of 2 decks. The one that came with the tractor was rotten out, but had good spindle housing stampings, rear hanger brackets and pulleys. another deck I bought had great body pieces but all the other parts where identical but either rusted out or bent.

[greg r]

Does anyone run 1/2 belts on thier 44A mower?

I don't think 1/2" will work, too much flex going on. For one the pulley size is near their minimum diameter for wrap and then the idlers that turn them 90 degrees twice to and from the PTO. I believe the belts for these Cub run more in the automotive size of 32nds rather than classical or utility in the L and H series of belts. 1/2" is too thick and 3/8" a tad narrow. The belt tension adjustment is primarily spring tension so having the wedging force on the pulley flanges is critical to belt profile. In a nutshell the correct Cub Cadet belts have worked the best for me going on 3 years doing 2 acres with the same belt. Sometimes I too get the high 2 foot grass waiting for it to dry. For my 44" deck with a 5" pulley I use p/n 117465C1. It's listed as a 3/8" X 79 but I measured it as actually a tad wider than 3/8" but that's what it's called from some vendors.

[Graflex45]

Got the oem belts but i want to wait for another replacement bearing and pulleys. But i was looking over everything to make sure there wasnt anything working loose that I overlooked. One of the mule drive pulleys, the one the belt kept jumping looks a bit too straight to me. Shouldn't it be bent slightly to the right to direct over to the deck pulley since it offset to that side?

[R Bedell]

Shouldn't it be bent slightly to the right to direct over to the deck pulley since it offset to that side?

BOTH pulleys should angle or be directed to the Center Pulley of the mower deck.

[Graflex45]

Originally Posted by R Bedell

BOTH pulleys should angle or be directed to the Center Pulley of the mower deck.

Then that appear to be the main issue maybe. I don't know what mule drive it could be other than for a 44A. I guess I need to take the idler parts off and bend them. They both look like they have a twist forged in them. Maybe someone straightened them and hung a 38 in deck from it? That would have a centered pulley.

[R Bedell]

I guess I need to take the idler parts off and bend them. They both look like they have a twist forged in them.

That would make the Belt Routing Geometry work a whole lot better.

[Graflex45]

OK restored the twist to the brackets so the idlers are lined up with where the belt goes to the center pulley.
Problem solved? still waiting on new smooth pulleys until I test it.

[Thundaluvin75]

Originally Posted by greg r

I don't think 1/2" will work, too much flex going on. For one the pulley size is near their minimum diameter for wrap and then the idlers that turn them 90 degrees twice to and from the PTO. I believe the belts for these Cub run more in the automotive size of 32nds rather than classical or utility in the L and H series of belts. 1/2" is too thick and 3/8" a tad narrow. The belt tension adjustment is primarily spring tension so having the wedging force on the pulley flanges is critical to belt profile. In a nutshell the correct Cub Cadet belts have worked the best for me going on 3 years doing 2 acres with the same belt. Sometimes I too get the high 2 foot grass waiting for it to dry. For my 44" deck with a 5" pulley I use p/n 117465C1. It's listed as a 3/8" X 79 but I measured it as actually a tad wider than 3/8" but that's what it's called from some vendors.

This is exactly right! The cub cadet belts for the Quietline 12/14/1650 measure roughly 13/32"-7/16". I've had the same belt eating issue on my "new to me 1650". The vendor I use for my belts on my old Dynamark sent me 1/2" belts & without thinking I mounted one. 1hr of mowing and the belt was toast. 5" center pulley on the 44a uses IH-117465-C1 just be sure you have the right mule drive pulleys.