A mower belt that keeps coming off wastes your time cutting your lawn or garden grass. The main reason is that mower belts can become loose and slip off the mower blade if stretched or worn.
Your mower belt may keep coming off for other reasons that you are unaware of. It can cause grass loss and even damage the lawn when this happens.
If you notice that your mower belt is coming off more often, you should tighten it. By knowing these causes with fixes, you can save money without buying a new belt. Here we share some hidden causes for coming off a mower belt and instructions to fix them.
Why Does My Mower Belt Keep Coming Off – Common Factors with Solutions:
Here, we reveal some of the most common reasons mower belts come off and cause lawn damage and solutions to fix them. So let’s check out the reasons:
Stretched Mower Belt:
Mower belts stretched when overused or the wrong size for your mower. When a belt stretches, it causes the mower to work less efficiently and puts extra strain on the motor and components. In most cases, this can result in the belt coming off completely.
Solution:
If it has been stretched too much, it may be necessary to replace it with a new one. When less stretched, tighten it properly. Take off the belt cover and adjust its tension. If you have difficulty adjusting the belt, refer to your owner’s manual or take help from an experienced mechanic.
Wrong Mower Belt Installation:
If a mower belt is installed incorrectly, it can cause it to rub against a support bracket or blade brake arm. This overheats the belt and destroys it, resulting in it coming off.
Solution:
Always refer to the owner’s manual for proper mower belt installation instructions. The belt should be routed along its path and firmly secured in place with the retaining clips.
Worn or Damaged Mower Belt Guide:
A belt guide (belt keeper) is a small metal piece that keeps the lawn mower belt in place. The belt guide is located around the pulleys and travels alongside the belt, keeping it secure in its place.
It can cause the belt to run wild and damage your lawnmower. If there’s too much slack in the belt, the belt guide may become bent, which makes it difficult to operate the machine. When belts get loose, they can jump off their pulleys, which causes them to come off the mower.
Solution:
If your belt guide is bent or out of shape, you can repair it. You can also replace the belt guide with a brand-new one to prevent it from slipping off. This is an easy job, as most belt guides are held in place by screws or clips. Install the guide correctly so that it fits snugly.
Non-standard Replacement Belt:
An aftermarket mower belt can be a cheaper alternative to a factory belt that may not be as durable. Most OEM belts are designed to accommodate the shock loads that replacement belts may handle, which can cause the lawnmower belt to fall off.
Solution:
Always buy original or the best quality mower belts for your mower. These belts are designed to be durable and are the ideal choice for your mower. You should also ensure that the belt is of the correct size and diameter. That way, it won’t cause any issues in the future.
Incorrectly Aligned Mower Pulley:
If your lawn mower pulleys are not properly aligned, this can cause the belt to come off. So how do you know if a pulley is misaligned? As the engine revs up, a chirping noise can be heard due to belt vibration caused by misaligned pulleys.
Solution:
Remove the belt cover and check if your mower’s pulleys are aligned properly. If not, it is necessary to adjust them correctly. Check the owner’s manual or contact a technician for exact instructions on how to do this.
Oiled or Glazed Belts:
Mower belts can become slippery when they come into contact with oil or grease. It can happen if you spray over lubricant on the spindles or the engine leaks oil. The slippery surface makes the belt more likely to fall off the pulley.
Rust can also cause the belt to slip because it may make the surface of the belt more uneven. This makes it harder for the belt to grip onto the pulleys and more susceptible to slipping.
Solution:
Thoroughly clean your mower deck and spindles with soap and water to remove all traces of oil or grease, and dry with a clean cloth. Also, check the engine oil level and inspect it for any leaks. Once everything is clean, you can reinstall the belt with no issues.
Worn or Damaged Pulley Bearings:
The pulley bearings allow the blades to spin freely, and they may wear out over time. In such a case, the deck pulley might cock, resulting in the belt being thrown. This can cause the blades to bind up, which puts stress on the belt and can eventually cause it to come off.
Solution:
If the spindle bearings are worn out, you must replace them. Also, ensure that the blades are properly secured to their spindles and rotate freely without any issues. This will ensure that the lawn mower belt stays in place and operates as intended.
Worn Idler Bracket Bushings:
A spring and a pulley are usually found on one side of the brackets that hold the idler pulley in place. When the spring hole or spring is worn, vibration occurs constantly. Without the grease, the idler bracket bushings can also wear out.
This can cause the pulley to run at an angle. It can tear the deck or the mower’s bottom when it is a transmission belt. Vibration and an angle on the pulley can cause the drive belt to fall off.
Solution:
You should check the tensioner spring hole and bushings for wear and tear. If you notice any, it is essential to replace them immediately. You may also need to lubricate the bushings with grease if they are dry or cracked. This will help ensure that the pulley runs smoothly and that the drive belt remains in place.
Dust on the Deck or Under the Mower:
Dust and dry grass can accumulate over time and prevent the tension pulley from moving smoothly. The tensioner pulley is unable to maintain proper belt tension. The belt won’t stay tight if the tensioner cannot move.
Solution:
Clean the mower deck and remove any dust, dry grass, or debris that has built up. It will ensure that the tensioner pulley can move freely and maintain proper belt tension. You should also regularly clean your mower to prevent future problems.
How Can You Prevent Your Mower Belt from Coming Off in the Future?
If you want to avoid your mower belt falling off, follow the tips mentioned below:
- Keep the proper belt tension.
- Check the belt guide regularly for wear and replace it if necessary.
- Keep the blades sharp. The belt can shred more quickly with dull blades because they put extra strain on it.
- Avoid mowing over rocks or other debris that could damage the belt.
- Always buy an OEM belt for your lawn mower to prevent it from falling off. If not possible, use the correct size belt for your mower.
- Keep your belt and deck clean and free of oil, rust, and debris.
- Always keep your mower well-maintained and follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.
How Do You Tighten a Lawn Mower Belt?
Tightening a lawn mower belt is crucial to maintaining your mower and keeping it in good working condition. It is a relatively easy process that only requires a few tools.
Step 01. Locate the belt on your riding lawn mower. The belt will typically be located near the pulleys underneath the deck of the mower.
Step 02. Loosen the bolts holding the pulleys in place with a socket wrench.
Step 03. Use a pair of pliers to tighten the tensioner nut until the mower belt is tight.
Step 04. Re-tighten the engine pulley bolts using a socket wrench.
What to Put on the Mower Belt to Stop Slipping?
To prevent belt slippage, many people use belt dressing spray. It is a non-toxic and colorless liquid that is used to condition and increase the grip of a belt. This spray is applied to the drive belt and helps to improve adhesion between the belt and the pulleys.
It can help to increase transmission efficiency and prevent wear on the deck belt. Note that the belt dressing spray is a temporary fix and should be reapplied as needed.
Can You Over-Tighten a Mower Belt?
If the mower belt is too tight, it can put a strain on the motor and cause the riding mower to overheat. It causes the mower to be too hard to pull or push, which can damage the engine. An over-tighten belt also corrodes the belt and causes it to fray. It can damage the pulley, flywheel, and other components.
How Much Tension Should a Mower Deck Belt Have?
The ideal tension for a mower deck belt is 1 – 2 pounds of force. With your fingers, press down on the belt to check its tension. It is too loose if you can press the belt down more than 1/2 inch. It is too tight if you can’t press it down. Adjust the tension as needed until you find the sweet spot.
Keep Your Belt Stay on While Driving Mower
Mower belts are subjected to extreme conditions while the mower is in operation. The combination of heat, friction, and vibration results in the belt slipping off and eventually reducing your working efficiency.
Without proper tension, your lawn mower will not be able to operate properly. It’s frustrating when your mower belt keeps coming off. But now, you understand the issue, “why does my mower belt keep coming off” and the possible solution.
By following these simple tips, you can keep your mower belt in place and keep yourself from worrying about it.
