You don’t have time to waste on your lawnmower. There are a dozen other home projects, parties, and baseball games you need to get to. A common issue with lawnmowers is broken belts. Here are common issues in belts for lawn and garden mowers and ways to fix them.
Bad Bearings
Faulty bearings on your mower’s spindle or pulleys are one of the most likely culprits of your belt woes. Spindles and pulleys rotate at high speeds when your mower is on, which causes high heat that can damage the bearings. To check for this issue, you’ll need to remove the belt and grab the pulley or spindle. If it feels loose or makes unusual sounds, replace the bearings.
To prevent the same issue from occurring in the future, regularly apply lubrication to these parts to keep them from wearing out prematurely.
Damaged Pulleys or Idlers
If you have a rocky lawn or mow over a lot of sticks, the debris can bounce up and make small cuts in your idler or pulleys. A clear sign of this problem is black, stringy material around the pulley and idler. These small strands tell you the idler or pulley is cutting your lawnmower belt. You’ll have to inspect each part to determine the issue and replace the faulty part.
Deck Material Build-Up
Inevitably, dirt, grass, and other debris will clog the deck of your mower. Belts for lawn and garden mowers will have to work harder to move. Damage is often exacerbated by moisture from the debris. Luckily, this issue is easily addressed. Use a leaf blower to blow out debris after mowing. If you don’t have a leaf blower, you can use a hose as long as you dry the deck afterward.
If you need to replace a belt for lawn and garden mowers, check out belts at FDI Drive.
