OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions On Ride On Mowers Questions on Greenfield Ride On Mower Frames Anniversary 12: Blade drive belt trouble

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Hi guys,

I am currently reconditioning an old Greenfield Anniversary 12 ride on mower.
I've been right over it, replacing bearings, welding cracks, etc. etc.

I'm almost finished and I've struck the toughest job so far: Trying to get the bloody blade drive belt back on it!
Do belts shrink or something? It seems too short. This is the belt that came off the thing when I pulled it all apart for crying out loud!

It's kind of hard to see under the mower, but I can't see any way of releasing tension on the pulleys anywhere apart from the lever that releases tension on the first belt that run off the crankshaft. This isn't the belt I need to re-fit.

I wish I had a Workshop Manual for the thing!

Is there a trick to doing it?

Any advice greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
Greg

Hello tzeggy14

I hope we can help.
It may take a little while.

The Greenfield Manuals are here: -

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=12089

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Jack

Hi Greg, best way I have found to work on these is drain the oil and fuel from it, remove the battery, and then tip the mower on its side because you can then get at it and see what needs to be done to get the belt on. I replaced all the belts on one a few weeks ago and it is a bit difficult but you have a much better chance with it on its side.

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Good idea Norm.
Thanks, I'll give it a shot.

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Thanks Jack.

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I got the belt on, finally!

Hi Greg, what method did you use?

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I tipped the mower on its side, as you suggested Norm, to get a better look.
I saw that the pulley adjustment at the front was as far back as it could go, so no adjustment available there.

There's two long braces either side of the machine that control the lift of the cutter assembly. (Don't know what they are called.)
I saw that the back end of the top pair could slide in slots in the main chassis, pushing the whole cutter assembly forward, just enough to give me enough free-play in the belt to get it into position.
I got the belt on, then re-tensioned it sliding those bolts/braces back, holding each under tension with a bar as I tightened the bolts.

Bugger of a job, but it worked a treat!

Now I just need to sort the wiring out and I reckon I'll be in business.
I've had to buy a new (aftermarket) battery cutoff switch and solenoid because the original ones were RS. Sorting out their mounting/connection is the next step.

It's been a LOT of work (it was in far worse condition overall than I originally thought), but jeez I've enjoyed it all.
Just hope the bloody thing works in the end!

Hi Greg, a tough little mower that has years of life left in it, I know how much time they can take, I can spend up to six months rebuilding them, but once they are rebuilt all it takes is general maintenance

Good to hear Norm.
I don't really want to be going to these lengths again. Too much else on my plate!

Biggest problem with all these is they get flogged into the ground until there is a bucket of problems then they get offloaded. If you treat them with respect and maintain any machine it will serve you well

That was definitely the problem with this one Norm!