Troy Bilt Riding Mower Pulley Diagram (2024)

FAQs

How do I know if my lawn mower pulley is bad? ›

Free Spinning Pulley – Spin the pulley with your fingers. Does it spin more than 1-2 revolutions? If it does, the cause is a lack of grease in the bearing, a sign it will fail soon. Seized Bearings – An indication that the pulley will lock up.

The easiest way to check the drive belt tension is with an adjustable wrench. Loosen the set screw and turn the wrench counter-clockwise to adjust the drive belt on a lawn mower. Use a torque wrench on more giant diameter belts.

Signs of a Worn Mower Belt

Cracks: Mower belts can develop small cracks over time, especially if exposed to heat and frequent use. These cracks weaken the belt and increase the risk of breakage, impacting blade rotation. Side Wall Damage: Inspect the belt's side wall for nicks, cuts, or tears.

There are a couple of reasons your mower will commonly slow down. Slipping belts and worn pulleys are the most common reasons.

The cost of a new lawn mower belt will vary depending on the make and model of your mower and the type of belt needed. On average, a new belt can cost between $10 and $30. However, some high-end belts can cost up to $50 or more.

The correct tension is achieved when pressure is applied to the center of the longest run and belt is able to be pressed in about ½” from static position.

The biggest cause of belts flying off of a mower deck is that the customer does not know that you MUST engage the mower with the engine running at FULL THROTTLE.

Belt tension adjustment is an iterative process that requires removing the Drive Belt for each incremental tension adjustment. The process entails: making a belt tension measurement, removing the Drive Belt from the motor pulley, changing the motor position to adjust the belt tension.

What happens if a drive belt is too loose? ›

If the belt is too loose, it may not be able to sufficiently power the pump, resulting in higher operating temperatures and even overheating. Engine heat issues may also be caused by bad coolant, a leak in your coolant system, or a faulty water pump.

This wear reduces tension which can lead to belt slippage. Even more noticeable is a cracked or damaged pulley or bearing. This damage interferes with the rotation of the belt causing torn belts, or the belt falling off of the engine. Without a belt, stalling and overheating of the engine become commonplace.

A spindle that is damaged or worn can cause the blade to wobble, resulting in uneven cutting. If you notice that your lawn is looking shaggy or patchy, it's time to check the spindle.

When a timing belt tensioner fails, it loses tension. As a result, the timing belt becomes loose and the valve timing can be thrown off. This leads to engine performance issues. So if any suspicion arises that the timing belt tensioner has failed, it's important to check the tensioner and replace it if necessary.