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2023/05/06 15:15:14
[email protected]

Worn Drive Belts

I own a 1996 Murray Riding Mower, 8hp, 30" cut.  It has served me well for many years. Finding original parts is getting tougher. Within the last year I have had to replace two drive or motion belts. The belts used were supposedly substitute parts for Murray's drive belt, P/N 037X65MA. I have looked at both the engine and transaxle pulleys and did not see any sharp burrs that might be shredding the belts.
I am beginning to think these alternate parts being manufactured oversees with inferior quality.
 
Anyone having the same problem or have any other reason why these belts are being worn out so quickly? I only use the mower 0nce a week!
9 comments Leave a comment
SRTsFZ6
Check all your spindles, pulleys and idlers for failure / looseness, etc.
 
I've used aftermarket belts W/O issue as long as it was for that specific machine.
 
,
2023/05/06 17:15:42
[email protected]
Thank you for that information. Changing that drive belt on a Murray Rider is difficult and a tedious process. I have change numerous belts over the years and as I get older it gets tougher. Also, because the engine and transaxle are so tightly packed to a small chassis, one has very limited observation of the drive belt, engine and transaxle pulleys.
2023/05/06 18:07:12
SRTsFZ6
It's not terribly difficult to remove the deck and may be easier for installing and inspecting parts...
 
.
2023/05/07 18:13:44
[email protected]
Whenever I replace that drive belt, the first thing I do is remove the mower deck, jack up the rear, put jack stands underneath, remove the rear tires, remove the rear bracket supporting the transaxle and finally remove the bolts holding the transaxle and lower it. It’s labor intense, but it gives the best visibility and makes replacing the belt easier.
2023/05/07 18:40:55
SRTsFZ6
I gather you checked the two idlers?
 
.
2023/05/08 07:59:49
SRTsFZ6
I gather you checked the two idlers and any brackets that move to keep proper tension?
 
https://jackssmallengines.com/jacks-parts-lookup/manufacturer/murray/1996-models/lawn-garden/riders/lawn-tractors/46-cut/46901x92b-lawn-tractor-1996/motion-drive 
 
2023/05/08 08:01:48
[email protected]
Because the inside of the belt had cuts on it every inch or so, I think the last time I installed this belt, I may have run the belt on the outside of idler bracket instead of running it inside the bracket up against idler pulley. Yesterday I checked that area again after installing the new belt and realized I made the same mistake. After removing the spring extension to remove the tension on the idler pulley, I was able to correctly position the drive belt.
2023/05/08 08:24:30
[email protected]
I am having trouble uploading 2 pictures of the belt I removed. There is extensive damage to this belt that’s been in for less than a year. Plus, the mower has been idle during the winter month.
2023/05/08 09:51:43
SRTsFZ6
The pic in post #6, does that help with the routing?
 
.
2023/05/09 08:21:02

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