Your first photo of the machine shows the tensioner bracket mounted upside down and the tensioner assembly is still in your collection of bits. Below is a rough out of what we're looking for. Note also from my photo that you're missing the little spring plates and attach bolt (I've got them clamped with a zip tie in my photo. Have you got these spring plates in your collection? If not I'll send you some.
We need these spring plates fitted to be able to continue with assembling the tensioner. Also, we are going to need to find out if you have the stepped bush that needs to be in the slot of the tensioner arm to allow it to slide. Probably best if I draw you a sketch.
Hey thank you for that. I am a fitter and turner by trade so I have a fare bit of mechanical exposure. I have never had anything to do with ride on mowers. So this is a new experience for me. I have changed the pulleys like suggested. However, I noticed in your pic that there are springs on the inside of the pulleys. I only have the one spring that looks to be the same size. Are these common springs that I can get from a mower shop and is there more parts behind the pulleys?
Excellent! You've got a trade background so we can move through this a bit more quickly.
The spring plates could be made as they are just literally bits of spring with a bolt hole but honestly it's probably just easier if I post you some. The bolt is just a common 1/4" bolt but I can send that too.
Good question with regard the springs on the idler pulley mount. To be honest I can't remember if there are washer etc in the mounting setup. I'll take apart the one in the photo and send you the springs and anything else that might be in the setup.
I've done a quick sketch of how the tensioner goes together. The key to its function is that the large coil spring pulls tension onto the belt and the spring plates we are discussing lock into ratchet grooves in the arm so that the pulley is locked forward once it has been pushed there by the coil spring. The ratchet mechanism has to work or you'll get belt slip.
Handling the tensioner with that coil spring can be a bit like playing with a rat trap. There is a hole in the arm with the idea that you can compress the spring and put a nail or the like in the hole to keep the spring locked compressed while you install it and set it up. Personally I never use it. I lock the spring plates away from the arm with a zip tie like I've done in the photo just wrestle it all into place
Had to muck about a bit to get the sketch to upload.
Send me a PM and I can get these bits to you.
I'll try and get some photos etc organised during the week and we can move onto other parts of the machine and hopefully we can get this machine sorted for you fairly quickly. That said, my weeks tend to develop of their own accord and I can't ever know how long the days will be. We can but try.
I do have the bush that is pressed into the bearing and pulley but I haven�t got the small bush that sits in the slot on the top bracket. Is the smaller bush supposed to sit inside the slot?
I can get access to a lathe at work so that one should be ok. Thank you. I actually have an old bush from one Of the pulleys I replaced. I should be able to machine that one down to fit in place
Umm, if you mean the bushes in the pulleys you originally had in the as the idlers PLEASE DON'T at this stage. I've got a sneaky suspicion those are the pulleys that go in the cutter clutch- and those bushes will be needed.
Dimensions for the bush we are talking about aren't super critical. From memory it's a 3/8" ID for the bolt ( please check) and the small outside diameter is the same as the slot, of course. Height of the small diameter is such that it's slightly more than the thickness of the material the slot is in - maybe a maximum of 1/16" more. Large diameter section needs only to have enough diameter and height such that it will give sufficient strength and bearing area. I'm surprised I can't lay my hands on one. I'll check again.
I'll send you a PM as I'm going to need an address to send these bits to
I'm kinda struggling to se what you've done in the last couple of photos but the short answer is that there shouldn't be anything inside that little 'U' shaped bracket. It looks like you had it right in your earlier photos
There are two pieces nest together underneath - the bracket that attaches to the pushrod from the pedal and the arm with the 'thing' on the end that goes around the bearing in the middle of the clutch assembly. The slot in the forward side of the arm nests with the pin on the underside of the bracket.
It's one of those situations where if it works,it's right. Note also that there needs to be a lock nut on the pivot of this assembly. There is a nut welded to the frame that the pivot bolt goes into ( from underneath) but it needs a lock nut as well to stop the bolt migrating out with the constant movement that it is subjected to.
Sorry for the long explanation. I'll take photos for you in the morning. I was planning to post some more stuff in the morning as well.
Hey the clutch assembly is al sorted. Just wondering if the small pulleys with the springs you sent are supposed to move back and forth? If you need a better pic to double check everything is ok let me know. I think everything seems ok but see what you think.
Ok thank you for that I�ll try to take some better photos so you can see a bit better. Another question I have is I noticed that the belt I have is split. Do you know if this is a standard belt I can get from a bearing or mower place? And the pulley on top of the cutter deck with a left hand threaded bolt that is welded in place was damaged by the previous owner. I have managed to scotch key it with grub screws. I�m not quite sure how it will go until I get it running to test it. Is there anywhere that you know where I can get the bolt and pulley from if it doesn�t work? Thanks again for your help
Those LH threads are always super tough to undo. If you're repair doesn't work, I know where to find a replacement.
Belts are standard from a bearing shop. Kevlar ones by preference. Let me get back to,you on size numbers- I'll have to dig them up. Or just take the old one to them.
The idler pullies should move laterally about an 1/8" , I think. There is a step on the shaft that limits it. Reality is that if the belt alignment is good then it's probably not a big problem.
Ok no worries I�ll keep going with the rebuild for the moment and I�ll pick up a belt through the week. Here are some better photos. From what you�ve explained so far I�m pretty sure it�s all in the right direction so far
From your last photos I've noticed the bracket is positioned slightly wrongly. It should be on top at the front and under at the back. Note also bolt from underneath. Front bolt needs to finish flush and the back one is super long to pick up the seat mounting at a later date. Bolt orientation and the short bolt at the front are so the cowling will sit down into place
Might have a bit of a quick look at the axle mounting. You've shown a photo of a little plate with a slot in it. There should be two of these. They go on the adjustable side of the rear axle bearing mounts. They give extra friction/support to help prevent the axle bearing flanges slipping in the adjustment slot. The reason for the axle adjustment is so the chain can be tensioned. Note that the axle needs to be adjusted evenly to keep chain alignment.
This is a bit out of sequence really. You won't need to do this until the chain is on. I'm just mentioning it here because we are looking at the drive train and I just happened to notice them in your photos
I hoping the photos will speak for themselves. The arm in the centre is to pick up on the cutter brake at a later date.
Also, apologies for all the dust and hay on all the items I have photographed and the dust on the bits I sent you. Like most of the state we haven't seen rain for a bit and a lot of my stuff shares space with the daughters horses. Much of it is stored in one of the disused stables.
Ok I�ve fixed up the bracket on the top for the clutch drive. I have 2 spacers for the bearings in the pulleys. Do they fit in the cutter clutch pulleys that are shown in your picture?
By the way it�s all good about the dust and everything. Just wondering i have put the pulleys and inserts on the bracket but it�s a bit hard to tell where it goes in your photo for the cutter clutch
