just can't keep my belt on

[Brett 0]

I folks,

I have a pretty nice 7117-1690648 tractor (with 48, 42, tiller, blower and blade attachments) - but the belt from the drive to the main spindle on the 48" deck will not stay put. I bought a ew idler as I though that was the trouble - but that didn't fix it. I'm wondering if I have the wrong length belt on it? I was using an Ace Hardware 80" - I'm not even sure what the original parts number is or where to buy one.

HELP - my grass is getting pretty deep!

[hurleyii 227]

The hood should have a belt number when you open it. There is also a proper twist to the belt when you go from deck to BGB drive pulleys.

First throw the release lever for the tention and use your hand to swing idler towards front of tractor. Take paper towel or rag and wipe the grease off the steel behind the idlers that is now visible. You should see a sticker with greenin the center.

Now put belt on deck pull tight toward back left tire and then twist the right side up. That's the proper twist of the belt to go on the pulleys now slip on and you should be good to go. Check to see if the hinged bar on idler is in the free area of sticker. If not rear idler is adjustable!

Good luck

Right side of belt as you sit next to back left tire and look at the center spindle on deck!

[GregB 940]

Is the idler in the right position for the mower deck? There is an upper and a lower mount for the idler. You have to move the idler depending on whether you are running the blower or mower.

I do not remember which is which, have to look it up from time to time.

Is the belt the right section, or thickness? There have been mixed results with belts other than OEM Simplicity, due to size and belt construction. Not all belts are designed for twist and running on the back of the belt. There should be a belt chart up on the simpletractors portion of the site.

And welcome to the site. Poke around, a wealth of knowledge stored here. Learn to use the search function it can be your friend.

[hurleyii 227]

quote:Originally posted by GregB

Is the idler in the right position for the mower deck? There is an upper and a lower mount for the idler. You have to move the idler depending on whether you are running the blower or mower.

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id="quote">

id="quote">Are you speaking of the snow blowers that drive off the mid pto? Mine both go off front pto

[Brett 0]

Originally posted by hurleyii

quote:

id="quote">I think the idler moves to the bottom - more in a direct line to the front - for the snow blower and to the upper position with a slight angle towards the deck for the mower. AFAIK. I'll noodle around to try and find the OEM #s and suppliers. 1657044 sound like the right belt to you? that is what is indicated on the hood as the "arbor belt for the 48" deck - problem is that measures out to 93" and I know that won't work.

[BLT 718]

This is your PTO belt 1713515SM 78.1 HA and the other belt is the arbor belt. If you have a gun to your head to get the grass done, an A-76 belt from NAPA is as close as you are going to match the Simplicity 1/2" w X 78" L.

[Brettw 1,127]

Welcome, Brett, from Brett. I would check the idler pulley setup as has been mentioned. There are only 2 holes it can go in, and they are pretty seld explanatory as to which one is correct for the deck or the blower. You can easily tell which lines up better. Other than that, like stated above the belt number is on the underside of the hood, and unless there is something quite wrong with one of the pulleys or the deck itself, you should have no problesm at all. I have never had a belt jump off, even when I did have the idler in the wrong position.

[BLT 718]

When the idler is at about a 40 deg angle towards the center arbor is the correct mounting hole, I forgot the spacer thickness to use o space out the pulley.

[spyder400k 0]

Hi,the belt# sounds correct. i would be looking at the deck arbors its coming off from the deck bearings not spinning smooth. after they get a little warm the belt comes off. also the bottom pulley is slotted for adjustment.

[BLT 718]

One of the most forgotten items is the mower deck pivot arm. If the bushing noted is not lubed, the arm will not function. The idler when running is pretty lively and when seized you the belt will slip. I had a friend take an arm of mine to his work place to get a bushing out for me and he said it took a 10 ton press to get it out. The pivot is atypical of all the three arbor decks.

[Brett 0]

quote:Originally posted by BLT

One of the most forgotten items is the mower deck pivot arm. If the bushing noted is not lubed, the arm will not function. The idler when running is pretty lively and when seized you the belt will slip. I had a friend take an arm of mine to his work place to get a bushing out for me and he said it took a 10 ton press to get it out. The pivot is atypical of all the three arbor decks.

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id="quote">

id="quote">I think I just had too long of a belt with too much slack - but I'l going to go through the tensioner and idler to make sure they are lubed correctly. Thanks All! very helpful.I'm quite sure I'll have TONS more questions

[Brett 0]

quote:Originally posted by BLT

This is your PTO belt 1713515SM 78.1 HA and the other belt is the arbor belt. If you have a gun to your head to get the grass done, an A-76 belt from NAPA is as close as you are going to match the Simplicity 1/2" w X 78" L.

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id="quote">

id="quote">my PTO is listed as 108508 in the decal under the hood

[BLT 718]

Originally posted by Brett

quote:

id="quote">Same belt, length, width and construction.