[jeepstrjohn]

How tight is this idler spring supposed to be?And, any hints or tips on how to hook this thing to the hole in the deck?
I got it, but you can see I added an "s" hook to give this a little less tension. I have a new belt on the deck and would like to know if there is some sort of spec to the tension that this spring needs to have, thanks!

 

[jeepstrjohn]

Here is the picture.....

(Message edited by treed on October 25, 2014)

 

[jeepstrjohn]

Anyone? Is there a way to tell how much tension should be on this spring?

 

[woodpecker41]

I wouldn't add anything to make the spring longer. It will wear out the belt faster. I am pretty sure the engineers at JD made the spring to have the needed tension on the belt. You might put the spring on and then install the belt. Roger

 

[john110]

John.

I have been down this road with my 60" deck before and found that it was easier to leave the spring on and replace the belt. I had corrected my mounting hole by tacking a hardened washer on to the deck. I see yours is wearing into the deck as mine was. But as long as you have the correct spring and hook you should be able to work your belt on. Just watch the fingers...
Jerry

 

[rfjdarrin]

John,

Here are the specs for your spring. Note the initial tension of 24 lbs force. You may need to adjust the length of your hook to achieve the force value.

 

[jeepstrjohn]

Thanks guys for the feedback, so 24 lbs? I guess that can be measured with an inline scale of some sort? Anyway, It would seen to take a lot more that the 24 lbs to install this in the deck hole. I think I will get as close as I can and watch how the deck mows.

 

[jdmaninlouky]

John -

Do as Roger and Jerry suggested . That "Extra" S-Hook is going to bite you in the ass after a few cycles of the deck on and off . The exact spring , with the exact locating point is what takes care of the belt "back-lash" when turning on and off the pto . It wont take long before it throws the belt off and chews it up . It will happen most when turning off the deck at max engine speed , but will be subject to do so , at any time .

To correctly install the belt and spring :
Put the spring in first (no S-hook) - with one pulley not being covered with the belt , then take a lever or suitable tool to relax the belt tensioner as it stretches the spring . All the while - rolling the belt over that last end pulley . Be sure that the spring hole in the deck is not too worn to keep the correct tension .Side note : Your added S-hook would be the equivalent of the spring hole at deck being worn 2-3 inches .

I also think the belt spring tension mentioned in the above specs , is probably (to mean) 24 Lb.Ft/in. for initial belt deflection , pulling at a specified point along the belt travel . Then after belt runs in , it drops down to an acceptable 15.280 LB./Ft at 1 inch belt deflection . I can guaranty : It would take a heck of a lot more than 15 or 24 pounds to stretch that spring one whole inch ! There is a special spring device that tells the deflection of the belt , directly related (by proxy) to said spring tension , that reads LB.Ft @ (insert > belt deflection travel < increment here) belt deflection rate . It is much like a simple fish scale can tell how much a fish weighs , only different .

Dave