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New belt on MTD

15 years ago

I put new drive belts on my MTD 38" 12.5 HP tractor. Got the speed link adjusted perfectly but the brake/clutch is very grabby. How do I adjust that? Manual says nothing.

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Comments (4)

canguy
15 years ago
It should smooth out once the belt softens with use.
gardendude54
Original Author
15 years ago
Well it's been three grass-mowings since and it hasn't reduced one bit. I have actually slightly injured by back. My son was quite amused that the tractor can do a wheel stand! Also, the belt smokes when in neutral idling and stops when I jam it in gear, do a wheely and continue to mow. I re-installed the belts last night, double-checked the routing and flipped over the vari-pulley thinking maybe it has an up and a down orientation. I had to remove that to clean off the old burnt belt remnants.
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larso1
15 years ago
Everytime I've had a smoking (new) belt on my MTD vari-drive, it's been a belt routing problem, or wrong belt. Make sure the two long belt retaining screws on either side of the front PTO pulley are in place on the outside of the belt and pulley. Also, did you get the exact replacement MTD or Arnold part number belt? If you bought a belt at the local auto parts store that is "very close" in size, you will be guaranteed to have problems like you are having. I've been there before. It doesn't seem possible it could happen with all the pulley movement that there is, but that's how it works out.
gardendude54
Original Author
15 years ago
Yes, double-checked the routing. It's definitely the front belt. I get a real grinding noise and sparks when I depress the brake. The belt came from a garden tractor center "Pioneer Equipment" and I will check to see if it's an MTD product or not. But I gave them the model number and it's made for it - that much I know. But can't I adjust it? Maybe move the engine backward a little?

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