Woods 42 Help Request

[lyle11]

I have been mowing with the Woods 59 on a Cub for 16 years but never had a Woods 42. I recently installed a 42CL on a 55 Lowboy. I downloaded the appropriate Woods Manual and followed the installment and setup instructions. I have looked at several threads about my issue, which is that the belt pops off.

So, I figured I’d post some pictures and perhaps someone will have some ideas. The belt appears to be in good shape is has 3546 on it, which agrees with the belt number specified in the manual/parts list.

Specifically, I have used the mower 3 times just to test it out on my 1/2 acre lot. So, it only takes about a half hour to mow it. My plan is to ship it to my other property to mow approximately 5 acres. The first time I used it I had no issues and I was actually surprised that it worked so well. The second time it worked great once again, then after raising and lowering the mower deck with the PTO engaged at least a dozen times, the belt popped off when I lowered it from the raised position.

Prior to testing it out again today, based on what I read on this forum, I tightened the belt up a little bit at one of the idler’s and made them more even with regard to the location on the mule drive. So today I mowed again and everything worked good. I raised and lowered it at least 20 times with the PTO engaged. When I was almost done, and thinking the problem was resolved, once again while lowering the mower deck from the belt came off.

Based on what I read on other threads, my wild guess is that my idlers are too low compared to the over-running clutch pulley. The belt as it comes down from the PTO pulley around the idlers forms an angle noticeably less than a 90° “L” shape. The manual says to keep the idlers about 1” below the pulley on the mower (but it doesn’t say what location in the idlers. The center? The bottom where the belt tracks?) It’s hard to see in the pictures but I’m thinking maybe I have to move the mower forward and make the belt angle between the idlers and the mower pulley more like 90° right now it looks like more like 75°.

I also see a lot of evidence of black being transferred from the belt to the “arms” that go back to the finals, the left inside of the guard over the over-running clutch and the lift bracket. I’m thinking this is normal or my belt is too loose.

I have been adjusting the belt tension in the raised position. Using an 18” steel pipe as a lever pushing down on the idler pulleys. I can make it tighter but not a whole lot. I do not see any evidence that the idlers are moving up after I use the mower for a short while. I tightened them pretty good.

It’s hard to get the belt angle, etc. in the pictures but I’d appreciate any ideas from guys who have more experience than my 90 minutes using a Woods 42.

Thanks

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[inairam]

Lyle,

When my woods 42 was throwing belts, I learned I was using the wrong belt - this is on a regular cub not loboy.

There several models of the woods 42 and two different belts are used depending on the model. I had to use the manuals to identify that I had a -6 model. Once I got the correct belt for a -6 on I was OK.

Your alignments look good as far as I can tell from the photos. Can you post a picture of the deck top?

[lyle11]

The ID tag on PTO guard says 42CL-6. This is the manual I downloaded and the mower and parts look exactly like shown in the manual. Belt is labeled 3546 as the manual specifies.

The belt is popped off now but I will take a picture of the top of the mower when I get it back on.

I see a lot of evidence that the belt contacts the left rear Push Channel. I have not witnessed this (but wasn’t watching), but I’m wondering if the belt might get hooked by the edge of the push channel and pulled off. Both times the belt has come off when I was lowering the deck.

Also, the belts as the come off the idlers angle upward significantly as they are routed to the over-running clutch pulley. I’m thinking if I raise the rear of the mower it might help the way the belt lines up with the over-running clutch. Right now, the belt visibly angles downward from the clutch pulley. I realize some of this setup is trial and error.

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[SONNY]

The rear of the push arms need to be raised higher . when you raise the front of the mower the belt is way off angle. I have one on a regular cub and its been used on 4 different cubs of mine with no problems.

[lyle11]

Thanks Sonny. I can move it up 1 hole, which is all I have left. I’ll try that.

[lyle11]

It was suggested by Sonny that I elevate the rear of the mower. It was already set at the second to the highest hole in the push channel. The top hole in the push channel is too close to the head of the bracket mounting bolt so it isn’t usable. I was able to move it up to the one hole that is out of line with the others. This is a Lowboy, so the punch channels come straight back parallel with the top of the mower deck.

Before I do much more, when the mower first starts spinning after letting out the clutch, it makes a loud clanking noise as the blades spin into motion. The over-running clutch moves up and down what looks like maybe 1/4”-3/8”. I see a lot of belt vibration on both sides just behind the over-running clutch when the blades first spin up to speed. I unsuccessfully tried to add a video.

So, before I spend too much time is it normal to have this noise, up/down pulley movement, and belt vibration when first engaged?

In my limited testing, the belt has always come off when the clutch is let out and the blades start up. The belt vibration settles down after the blades get up to speed.

To make the belt tighter, I can use a longer lever if necessary. It is a long belt so I can push it aside about an inch at the midway point as it routes over the top of the mower deck.

Thanks

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[Eugene]

Before I do much more, when the mower first starts spinning after letting out the clutch, it makes a loud clanking noise as the blades spin into motion.

Swinging, hinged, blades. Sometime they will make a clunking sound until the blades swing fully out. Shouldn't happen every time you start up the mower.

The over-running clutch moves up and down what looks like maybe 1/4”-3/8”.

Sounds like a loose bearing. Shouldn't move up and down. Check the bearings. Loose bearings are possibly the cause of belt coming off and the frequent clunk.

[lyle11]

Thanks Eugene. I took the guard off and the over-running clutch assembly has moved up the spindle about 1/4”. I’ll have to look at the installation manual and figure out what is going on.

[Waif]

Could the rear brackets be flipped over to allow more height of the rear arms?

...You're already checking into the front pulley and potential play in it...

I get the clunking blades on my tired ol brush hog. Pitch of deck in relation to uneven ground might be why sometimes it's more noticeable.
Easing the clutch out at take off (yes ,riding it a bit ; shhhh) beats poppin it on mine to get it started up to speed.

[tst]

the clutch on the pulley may be all worn out so it flops around beating the belt to death

[SONNY]

The pulley cant have any play in it. If it's loose that could cause the belt to jump off. --- mine is tight and the over-run works good.

[lyle11]

Thanks Sonny. I removed the over-running clutch. The internal part of the assembly, that actually slides over the spindle and contains the keyways is called the Drive Hex. This Drive Hex moves about 3/16” up and down in the center of the pulley.

I disassembled, cleaned, oiled and reassembled the entire clutch a couple years ago. (This has been a slow moving project). I see in the notes that this Drive Hex needs to be inverted for some mowers so I’m going to take the assembly apart and see if I installed it upside down or if I’m missing a spacer or other part.

As for the spindle bearing, it appears real sound and smooth operating. The movement and noise is definitely coming from the pulley moving up and down.

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[muleboss]

Since you mentioned the drive hex, is there a easy way to take it off the shaft? I need to remove mine and it is really tight.

[lyle11]

I used a cheap puller I bought from Harbor Freight. It actually was a package of 3 pullers of various sizes. The largest one worked perfectly to grab the pulley with 3 hooks and lift it off the spindle.

[welderrx]

I have a 68 Lo-Boy, I put the C-3 deck back on this year after being off for a few years, I had a heck of a time at first keeping the belt on, It finally threw it while backing up and got caught by a spinning blade, and got a chunk taken out of it, then it wouldn't stay on at all. I put a new belt on it and it only threw it once while it was wearing in, I readjusted it a little bit and now I have almost 20 hours on the belt with no issues, I am thinking that the belt was old and stiff and it couldn't handle the angle changes and twisting any more. I run it on the loose side and about every 5 hours of mowing I put one shot of grease in the PTO bearing fitting. It seems pretty free and the blades keep spinning for a couple seconds when the clutch it pushed in. TJ