Called Brad. Described problem. He emailed me this video immediately. His explanation is very succinct, yet thorough. The video angle was very helpful. I was able to replace the belt w/out a problem, which saved me the time, effort and $ to bring it in. Thanks, Brad!
I purchased my X350 a couple of months ago and my belt broke on yesterday; my mower is at 19.8 hours. The dealer advised belts are wearable items and are not covered under warranty. That includes extended warranties. I looked at your video and had the new belt on in half an hour. Thanks for sharing and saving my day and scratch.
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My belt just broke today on a used x350. I'm glad I saw this before replacing the belt tomorrow, if mine is the same I'll be right after it w/ cut off wheel. Thanks for the tip
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Brad i have a 2008 x304 and the bolts on my deck are just like this mower. Looks like I will be cutting a couple bolts this week. Thanks for the heads-up video!
Thanks for the very helpful video. My son-in-law's x350 is having the same issue with snapping belts. This gives us a good place to start to understand why. I love that you take your time in the video and show all the details so that we can follow along. I just subscribed and will be watching for more content!
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Thanks again Brad. I kept searching and found a video you posted on remove & replace a JD S100. I saved it as I'm figuring a S100 & S120 have the same deck set up and found it very helpful (as usual). Be well.
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I know on my cub cadet,ive even had little stucks as small as a pencil get sucked up under my pulleys and get pulled into the grooves in the v pulley and jam up a blade. It only takes a few seconds to tear up the belt,but in this case id say youre right about the adjuster. My cubs belt routing is simpler,but everything is of lower quality than whats on that deere.
My x350 belt was ruined by this bolt when it was brand new. I took the brand new deck off to add the mulching kit, reinstalled deck and didn't notice the belt had routed itself right around the back of that bolt. After 15 of mowing I started noticing the odd scent of burning rubber. Oops!
Yea, I literally just did the same thing with X320, but I lost another belt previously because of that bolt. Mine broke right away this time, but I bought a spare because I knew of this issue from the first time I lost the belt. I forgot to double check the positioning before I started it up, but I'm guessing that bolt was the problem again, even though I'm not 100% sure.
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What a horrible machine design. Congrates to you sir, for identifying the problem. Its important to realize when the PTO is engaged, the deck belt gets jerked all over the place until belt/pulley tensions stabilize. I suspect that is when the poor belt slips over the other side of the bolt you cut off. At this point, the owner thinks she smells burning rubber, but assumes its the neighbor's grill. I am SO hypersensitive to burning rubber when I am testing a belt installation, or running a mower, in general. A nice lady gave me her X300 (8 years old) and I have never been so happy with a gift! $130 in parts, and that machine is a stunning addition to my shop. I repair her other mowers and charge her very little (she is 83). Best to all, and thanks for the motivational videos. --North Central Florida.
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Hi Brad, Do I have to adjust /level my S120 deck when re installing it after cleaning the bottom or, can I just re install it as I've never taken it off. I bought it last year and have 11hrs. on it but this year has been very wet and I'm sure it needs a good cleaning. Thanks for the great videos.
I always check tire pressure and check the mower deck level every time I take a mower deck off and reinstall. Also, If your mower deck spindle have grease fittings? Grease them when the deck is off.
Thanks. This just happened to me for the first time after owning my machine for 4 years. Your video was very informative and I hope save me a lot of grief. If theres was a bulletin issued on this problem then how come I haven't heard anything from John deere about this. I now have to go buy a new belt on monday and it looks like they don't come cheap. What is deere doing about this and are they offering up any compensation for those of us who have had to deal with this defect?
As always, you make great educational videos and I appreciate the work you do! Question: other than using a cut off wheel to shorter the bolt threads, has John Deere improved this bolt (to make it shorter) to where the customer can just order from John Deere the revised shorter bolt? Thank again!
They are aware of the issue but i haven’t seen a revision as of yet. I would hope they would stop making that mower deck with the over engineered pulley/belt set up. Only time will tell.
mine snapped most likely because I hit a chunk of rebar! my previous JD riding mower was much easier to change the belt...I did not have to remove the deck or any bolts to do it. why did they choose such a complicated design? thanks for explaining!
i had the same problem the first idler pulley you took off the bracket it sits on was bent straighten it out and it will be fine thats what i did havent had a problem since.
Hi Brad, at about 7:08 in the video when you are attaching the smaller idler pulley, you have the belt retaining arm facing left away from the larger idler. On my X350 42" deck the retaining arm is facing 180 degrees around to the right toward the larger idler pulley. Now I'm not sure which is the best way. On one of your other videos (How to remove a accel 42” deep mower deck John Deere X350 ), toward the end it can be seen that the belt retainer is facing right toward the larger pulley. Can you or someone please comment on which way is best?
I always put the guide back where it was when I started. You can try it the way yours is but you may have the belt rubbing after there is belt tension on it. You may want to try it both ways to see which works better after the deck and belt is reinstalled.
So on my X350 the rear right roller i think you call it an idler... had the belt not sitting on it correctly and was running around the keeper. Somehow it was still cutting. But this meant the belt made contact with the hanger adjustable bolts. Once back in position in the pulley it clears the hanger bolt. I figure most dont realise its hung up as it still cuts. Frayed my belt and eas.good untill i hit a big grass tuft. So check the idler and belt.
I've had my deck off twice for sharpening. Pay close attention when reinstalling belt on the engine pulley. I had it turned the right direction but it flipped before I completed installation. Didn't notice until I actuated the PTO. Immediately stalled the engine. Watch closely and double check. It got me twice. We'll duh.
LOOK CLOSE AT BELT. MANUFACTURED IN PIECES CUT ON 45 DEGREE. THE BRAND NEW JD BELTS ARE THE SAME.I CUT BOTTOM OF ADJUSTER SHAFT THREADS OFF. NO MORE PROBLEMS. ON THE X350 YOU CAN FIND MUCH BETTER BELTS ( 1/2 BY 96 V BELT... HAS TO BE V BELT )