[Tarheelbubba]

I have a 140 that I repowered with an 18hp Vanguard engine. The problem that I have is the belt from the deck to the front of the engine keeps rollng over and tearing up the belt. The pulley on the electric clutch sits 1" higher on the Vanguard than it did on the Kohler. I have not been able to find a John Deere belt that will work. The original belt was 86.3" long. I have been using a belt from Tractor Supply that measures 88" long. The mule drive was rebuilt when I put in the new engine, new pulleys, and new bushings on the shaft. I am at a loss as to what to try next.

 

[rustyknuckles]

Are you sure the engine is correctly positioned, fore-and-aft? If not, the belt will not go into the clutch pulley correctly.

 

[Tarheelbubba]

Yes the engine is in exactly the same position as the kohler. I took detailed measurements before I removed the kohler to make sure I would not have this kind of problem. It has me stumped.

 

[ron_white]

The angle or degree of the belts " Vee " may not be correct and may also be too short, meaning it may not sit into the pulley/ sheave far enough allowing it to roll over.

It is always best to used JD belts for proper fit !

Have you set the belt tension properly ??

 

[jameszmcnelley]

HI William, this suggestion is just a poke in the dark. if your running a 1/2'', try a 5/8''. or vise versa. if there is a tension spring involved, try a stiffer setting or spring. later, J.Z.M.

 

[jameszmcnelley]

Ron, your post just beat mine in, if it was up sooner. I would not have posted. I concur with your assessment. J.Z.M.

 

[wyogreen]

Just to throw this thought in, are the pulleys on the engine and mule drive straight up and down with each other? That is to say, is the engine tipped a little so the belt is going at an angle down to the mule drive?

Steve

 

[Tarheelbubba]

I think I may have solved the problem. I took the belt off and changed to a 87" belt instead of an 88" belt as was recommended. I have mowed for about 6 hrs with this setup and it has not rolled over so far. The only reason I used anything other than a John Deere Belt was I could not find one in the length I needed. Not on JD Parts .com or at my dealer with 2 parts guys looking for 30 minutes.