Belt problems

[Kelvin MCL]

Dixie Service,
I have problems with my belts on my DC, they seem to wear out fast.
It is an 98 x 2400. The engine to deck belt: The long side, where is it supposed to line up? Mine seems to hang below the 2 idler pulleys and rubs the belt guide on the back of the belt. I not sure how it is supposed to sit exactly.

[BCSteel]

Maybe an idle pully spring is worn out? I really dont know what it looks like but when my belts started wearing out prematurly, it was the springs.

[DC Service]

The belt should be straight and lined up with the belt engaged.The spring on the blade engagement should be 2" long with the blades engaged.Do not engage the blades at full throttle,or disengage as this will cause premature belt failure.also do not use your foot to turn off the blades(if you do).Most belt problems are caused by operator error or a bad bearing in one of the pulleys.With the unit off,spin each pulley to check for noise or play,replace anything with play,or a gritty noise when you spin it.Good luck! :)

[Burnandreturn]

Check the bushing in triangular plate with the two idler wheels. If that bushing is worn the plate will sag and cause belt problems. Also check the bearings in the spindles. If the spindles are getting real hot then you might have a bad bearing which will cause severe heat and lead to an early demise of the belts. Also check the distance from the side rail of your engine to t-gear box idler wheel. Make sure your engine is not too far forward.

[Matt Clark]

DC...just a question. Why not use your foot to engage/disengage the blade drive? I've always done that, see no harm, but if there's a good reason not to do so, I guess I'd stop. I also never thought about idling the motor down before engaging the blades, but it seems obvious now, so I'll start doing that.

Matt Clark

[DC Service]

You should yse your hand and engage the belt slowly(but firmly)to give the blades a chanch to start turning before you put a load on them.Kicking the handle is like flooring your truck and shifting into drive(your transmission won't last too long) :D

[glendei]

I also had similar problems with the main drive belt...twice. Seems the tension pulley was made for a V belt instead of being one that pressed against the flat part of the belt. When dealer replaced the pulley the problem was corrected.

Now I have problems with the Hyd drive belt. The machine ate one for no reason. I was 15 days out of 90 day warranty and it cost me $53 + change. The DC is a gud machine but not reliable. I have had a Cub Cadet 50" cut for two years and it has given me NO problems. And I paid a kings ransom for this Dixie Chopper.

Glen

[cclllc]

I also had similar problems with the main drive belt...twice. Seems the tension pulley was made for a V belt instead of being one that pressed against the flat part of the belt. When dealer replaced the pulley the problem was corrected.

Now I have problems with the Hyd drive belt. The machine ate one for no reason. I was 15 days out of 90 day warranty and it cost me $53 + change. The DC is a gud machine but not reliable. I have had a Cub Cadet 50" cut for two years and it has given me NO problems. And I paid a kings ransom for this Dixie Chopper.

Glen

I have 2 '96 model dc's and believe me they are reliable.I push mine to the limit so I know.If belt problems is the only problem that they have I'm happy.I can change any belt in 5 minutes.

[John D]

I must be lucky, I have over 800 hrs on my 2000 XW2500,and all the belts are original and in good shape.I run double baldes a lot,have used it a few times like a brushhog ,cutting grass 2-3ft tall for hours,and ive never had any trouble. I did have to replace the idler for the hydro pumps,the bearing started getting noisey,so i replaced it before it became a problem.I always engage the blades with my foot,i do it gently and off idle.As far as being reliable,other than a few things when i first got it, its required nothing but maintenance,no repairs out of warranty. Im sorry to hear your eating belts,but there has got to be a reason, the B belts are more than enough for this application,the machine should not be chewing them up.

[Blades]

I have 1500 hrs on my 2001 XF2500-60 and just replaced my first belt.

[Matt Clark]

Well...my 1982 5020 Sidewinder is kinda finicky with belts, as well. This spring, I picked up a set of all 3 belts at the closest dealer, just because one (hyd. drive) was getting sort of weak. Thought, heck, why not replace the deck belt while the original was still in decent shape, and just save the original as a backup.

The new Dayco B103 lasted about 6 weeks, but started showing severe wear in less than 3. When it finally self destructed, I put the original back on and it's running fine. Ordered a new deck belt, a "Dixie original"...and when it finally showed up...it was a Dayco B103. :confused:

Not sure what to make of this, but original "seems" to be a more substantial belt, more massive, even used, than the two replacements I've gotten...thoughts?

[DC Service]

Just because a belt is the same physical size as the OEMs,does not mean it was designed for the application :think: .Thats why the OEM belts are more expensive.Like I have posted many times in the past"YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! I am sure you can find a cheaper version :rolleyes: that might work for a while,but there is nothing like having the OEM parts from your dealer,with a strong FACTORY WARRANTY,and the PARTS and SERVICE to stand behind it.

[Matt Clark]

Well, DC...that's my point. The DC Dealer sold me a Dayco belt, and then suggested we try the "Factory" belt...which turned out to be one and the same. Where can I get another "factory" belt...I know DC doesn't make their own. There's no DC Belt factory in this industry. (I'm in the rubber products industry, so I know this.) Who makes them?

[DC Service]

There are several vendors manufacturing belts for Dixie Chopper,that make them to OUR specfication.We are constantly testing and introducing new products to improve our product. :)

[country boy]

I have been using gates belts that I get from Oriley's.They last about as long as the DC belts.They are garenteed for one year.If they brake they will replace it.

[Fine Lines Lawn]

Don't ever use your foot to engage and disengage the blades. Use your hand just as DCService advised and your belts will last much longer. My employees really don't like it when I catch them using a foot.