I decided to beef up the pto drive line on my 446 to a 5/8 belt system. The one thing thats always bothered me is the OddBall 9/16 belt size. I like options when Iam buying a drive belt. Plus the fact that the xtra horse power rating means less fatigue, less slipage, and less streching = Longer Belt Life... :usa:
Upgrading to a 5/8 drive line also opens up alota doors for pulley choices. Iam switching to the composite pulleys on seasonal equipment, Like snow casters and mower decks. (idler pulleys only) Cast Iron for drive and driven. The steel pulleys rust and pit,.Piting alittle more each year,causing excessive belt wear. Cast Iron pulleys rust too,..But they dont pit.
On another note, Using the factory setup .If you look at the flat belt idler on the mule drive for the snow caster, you wil notice (because its a corrective pulley by nature), The belt rides to the extreme left side, And, Because the pulley is a two piece there is a v in the center about 3/16 wide,
If you lay the belt in there, and you will see it rides up the side of the pulley and the other side of the belt is riding on edge of the v. Notice how the paint is worn. In my opinion this all results in breaking down the most important part of the belt, the outer edges. I think a molded composite pully is the answer, Especially using the orignal 9/16 belt. Because theres NO gap in the middle of the pulley,
Contrary to popular belief, Composite pulleys are NOT a cheap alternative for an (idler) pulley. The ones Ive been reaserching are industrial grade. (Fenner drives) also sold by WW GRAINGER
Your belts will tell ya, "THEY LIKE EM BEST" :thumbsup:
Thats all for now, I got the pulley machined for the 5/8 belt today, Ill post a couple pics in my album below. Kubotakid...aka.. Burnt Orange
Upgrading to a 5/8 drive line also opens up alota doors for pulley choices. Iam switching to the composite pulleys on seasonal equipment, Like snow casters and mower decks. (idler pulleys only) Cast Iron for drive and driven. The steel pulleys rust and pit,.Piting alittle more each year,causing excessive belt wear. Cast Iron pulleys rust too,..But they dont pit.
On another note, Using the factory setup .If you look at the flat belt idler on the mule drive for the snow caster, you wil notice (because its a corrective pulley by nature), The belt rides to the extreme left side, And, Because the pulley is a two piece there is a v in the center about 3/16 wide,
If you lay the belt in there, and you will see it rides up the side of the pulley and the other side of the belt is riding on edge of the v. Notice how the paint is worn. In my opinion this all results in breaking down the most important part of the belt, the outer edges. I think a molded composite pully is the answer, Especially using the orignal 9/16 belt. Because theres NO gap in the middle of the pulley,
Contrary to popular belief, Composite pulleys are NOT a cheap alternative for an (idler) pulley. The ones Ive been reaserching are industrial grade. (Fenner drives) also sold by WW GRAINGER
Your belts will tell ya, "THEY LIKE EM BEST" :thumbsup:
Thats all for now, I got the pulley machined for the 5/8 belt today, Ill post a couple pics in my album below. Kubotakid...aka.. Burnt Orange