x320 John Deere throwing drive belt

This message is a reply to an archived post by dan newberry on November 17, 2016 at 13:14:37.
The original subject was "Re: x320 John Deere throwing drive belt".

Just an update for future forum searchers...

The reason the drive belt comes off the x320 JD mower is... the parking brake releases a *lot* of tension off the drive belt, and with the engine at higher rpm's, the pulley just sheds the belt (at the engine).

To prevent this from happening shut the engine off *before* mashing in the parking brake. You do have to press the parking brake before starting the tractor, but of course the rpm's won't be at max, so there shouldn't be an issue there.

In any event, the belt throwing problem is not the belt itself, and it's not the belt guides. We installed a new belt from the John Deere dealer, and inspected and ensured that every one of the belt guides was properly in place and adjusted, and pulleys were not bent or knicked.

It's the parking brake... shutting the engine off at high rpm after locking that parking brake has the propensity to throw the drive belt.

I hope this helps others avoid this pain in the neck issue. :eek: :)

Dan
 
I should mention... there is *probably* some way to adjust the twin tensioning pulleys on the drive belt, which may help this belt throwing issue. I couldn't see any way to do it while I was under my mower, but that doesn't mean it can't be done, I may have just overlooked it.

It wouldn't seem likely that John Deere would produce this mower with such a glitch... if I figure out a way to adjust the tension on the drive belt, I'll post back.

Dan
 
Hi, would it help if you idle the motor before putting the park brake on. I always do that although none of mine are JDs. Ed Will Oliver BC
 
Hi, would it help if you idle the motor before putting the park brake on. I always do that although none of mine are JDs. Ed Will Oliver BC
 
Ed, that does seem to help a lot. We have a few different folks who use this mower and it's hard to police everyone, but I do think you're right, dropping the idle would help.

I think the design would benefit from an additional belt guard closer to the front pulley (the one on the engine's crank).

Dan
 
I would still guess that a belt guide is missing or positioned incorrectly. Had trouble with a Simplicity years ago where a bolt fell out that held a little bent up wire guide for the transmission drive belt. When you pushed the clutch in the belt would hunch it's back aroubd the pulley and the tractor would try to stay in gear. Total pain in the bunns till I figured it out.
 

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