PTO belt problems

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lfrelich
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2013 10:51 am
First and Last Name: Lynn Frelich
Location: Janesville, WI

PTO belt problems

Post by lfrelich »

Hey-
My 129 with 42 inch deck has gone thru 2 new cub cadet brand belts in a month.
Both idler pulleys are new. The deck turns easily by hand. The PTO pulley seems to be in fine condition.
The tensioner works normally.
Belts are (were) a 3/8 x 81 original part number IH-473462-R4.
Maybe the belts were from a bad batch?
Anybody have any ideas? :?:

davis2
Posts: 249
Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2016 10:30 pm
First and Last Name: Dave Davis
Location: Quantico,MD (Formerly from Lee Center,NY)

Re: PTO belt problems

Post by davis2 »

I'd ask the dealer where you purchased the belts to replace one.

Klapatta
Posts: 1352
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 2:25 pm
First and Last Name: Kenneth LaPatta
Location: Rockingham VT.

Re: PTO belt problems

Post by Klapatta »

About nine years ago there was a run of defective IH-490489-R2 belts, this is the 1" shorter PTO belt meant for the narrow frame. They lasted only about 3 weeks before blowing apart so I suppose it is a possibility. There was never a recall issued and neither the dealerships nor CCC ever accepted responsibility. That was a bit low of them all acting as though nothing was wrong the whole time until the existing supply was used up.
While this group of belts is described as 3/8" that is a pitch dimension and not the true width, the actual width across the top will measure much closer to 7/16"
Measure a new belt across the top, if it's at 3/8" their knocking out bad belts again. And I would not put that past them.

lfrelich
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2013 10:51 am
First and Last Name: Lynn Frelich
Location: Janesville, WI

Re: PTO belt problems

Post by lfrelich »

Thanks for the thoughts.
The failed belts are 3/8 wide. Another belt I have (an R2 80inch ) is 7/16 wide.
Both belts failed exactly the same way. Looks like they started to shred and then snapped cleanly.
I'll try and get a warranty replacement.
Thanks again -

Klapatta
Posts: 1352
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 2:25 pm
First and Last Name: Kenneth LaPatta
Location: Rockingham VT.

Re: PTO belt problems

Post by Klapatta »

Both shown are very well worn. Yet still nearly 7/16".
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DSCN8978.JPG
DSCN8978.JPG (737.87 KiB) Viewed 3725 times
Another run of bad belts :?:

davis2
Posts: 249
Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2016 10:30 pm
First and Last Name: Dave Davis
Location: Quantico,MD (Formerly from Lee Center,NY)

Re: PTO belt problems

Post by davis2 »

I replaced my PTO belt last week. It was at least 8 years old, a Huskee belt from Tractor Supply.

Klapatta
Posts: 1352
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 2:25 pm
First and Last Name: Kenneth LaPatta
Location: Rockingham VT.

Re: PTO belt problems

Post by Klapatta »

Many guys go that route with the type "A" belts, it's quite common. But I have never had the least bit of luck in doing so after multiple tries. Even with factory new idler pulley's and the support arms aligned perfectly within a couple of hours run time the belt inverts and starts to run on the top and bottom rather than the sides and then eventually self destructs. Not enough depth on them with the V section, they tend to roll over when going around the 90 degree bend. If it works for anyone that's great. But I gave up on that a long time ago :lol:

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