This video is made by someone representing John Deere. The bearings go bad because the belt jolts when they fail from rubbing on the bolts that suspend the deck. I am on my 7th belt in 5 years. John Deere needs to come up with a fix and pay to have this defective design corrected.
Thanks for the tips Brent! I use my blower every time I'm done with my lawn and hit the deck and everywhere but this was a good reminder to always double check the deck for build up to prevent any problems later down the road.
I’ve had my S100 John Deere for two seasons, 52 hours on it. I’ve gone through four belts. The black belt covers are already worn too. I keep my deck clean. Should talk about the belt retainer (cap) that you sell
You totally forgot to mention the lift links, there are two and they adjust the rear height and level of the mower deck, also the front links on the U shaped bar that supports the front of the deck have to be tight so there is no movement in the mower deck. I have had problems with my X300 breaking belts for two years and have never seen this mentioned in a video before and the only reason I found that I had a bad lift link (meaning the nut is allowed to rotate in the lift link) because the lift link part was stripped (which allows the nut to spin) and I was unable to adjust and level the mower deck. Now my problem is solved.
I’m 10 hours in to a new mower from Lowe’s as a gift, it an s110 I think. Going to need a 4th belt. I’m pissed it’s gently used and cleaned every time. Only 10 hours
Thank you and at least once a season, but maybe more if you mow pretty frequently. I always grease before mowing season and again right in the middle of summer and that usually does the trick.
About a month ago i was mowing a hillside under some trees and my front tire ran over a small branch and the other end of it turned upwards into my belt guides at the crankshaft. It didnt really make any noise,but i smelled the belt. I shut it off immediately and dislodged the stick. The belt had rubbed halfway through the stick,which was about an inch in diameter. Im sure it didnt do any favors for the belt,but its an oem kevlar,so its pretty good quality. Doesnt seem to of hurt it much.
Those belts are usually pretty resilient, but good thing you found it and removed it so you didn't have any further damage. Over time that could have been a problem.
im still running the same belt from when my x724 was new. thats pretty good if u ask me.. keeping it clean is a must, thats why i pulled those pulley shields off. mine are bolted on & its a pain to remove them..
My new x590 hydrostatic transmission reservoir showed some fluid had escaped from under the filler cap down onto the tank. Maybe the cap wasn’t tightened correctly at the factory? Does the filler cap have a rubber washer to help seal it against the tank to keep it from leaking? Thanks. Videos are helpful.
I have had my John Deere mower for two months. I mowed my front yard, and the belt snapped in two after two mowing sessions. I replaced the belt, which costs me $60, and mowed my front yard, and it snapped in two again. Thus, I have mowed 4 times, and I am now having to buy my third belt. Your three "reasons" for the belt snapping in two, do not apply in my case. So...what gives? Why am I now having to buy a third belt?
@@WesternEquipment Unfortunately, I purchased a John Deere S170. Whenever it is that I get it paid for, I am selling it at a loss, and will never again buy another John Deere anything, up to, and including, a tee shirt.
@@shmodzilla I wonder if enough people could get together, and file a class-action lawsuit, against John Deere, for their really poor design, and their failure to provide a recall to fix this problem. I will never again buy, or recommend, any John Deere lawn mower, or any of their products, for that matter. They produce a poor product, a poorly designed product, and they seemingly do not care to fix any of their errors.
Yes, I’ve had my s100 for 2 seasons. I should’ve went with a different brand. 52 hrs & 4 belts later. The black covers are worn from the belts. I keep my deck clean too
The belts break because they are too small. Say you have a 20 hp mower do you think you can transfer 20 Hp or even 10 hp through one tiny belt? Look at any other piece of equipment that has this amount of power like an air compressor. My comperssor has a 15 HP electric motor and not only does it have 4 belts on it but they are shorter, thicker, and directly routed. These mowers can’t handle transferring much power to the blades. You have to slow down and not take full width cuts or your going to eat belts constantly. They do this intentionally so you don’t bend and break the flimsy spindles, blades, and decks on these POS residential grade mowers. I hate to say this but these residential mowers are just garbage that will cost your a fortune over the years and countless hours of your time fixing. I’m so glad I got rid of mine, your going to spend north of $10k on a commercial grade mower that won’t break every time you mow brush, but it’s worth every penny. Over the course of 10 years your going to spend that on parts alone for a residential grade POS! And let’s not forget the hundreds of hours of your time fixing it.
QUESTION NOW AFTER 200HR+ ON MY S240 RIDING MOWER REAR END KEEPS LEAKING AROUND THE CASE. TAKING APART NEXT TWO DAYS TO FIX IT ANY IDEAS ON WHAT TO USE TO STOP IT FROM LEAKING
I would inspect it to see if the sealant has gone bad or if there are any cracks or anything in the housing. If it is just sealant then that should be an easy fix. Let me know what you find out.
This video is made by someone representing John Deere. The bearings go bad because the belt jolts when they fail from rubbing on the bolts that suspend the deck. I am on my 7th belt in 5 years. John Deere needs to come up with a fix and pay to have this defective design corrected.
All this is for worn out parts but there are belts being eaten up on brand new mowers!
Thanks for the tips Brent! I use my blower every time I'm done with my lawn and hit the deck and everywhere but this was a good reminder to always double check the deck for build up to prevent any problems later down the road.
You are welcome! I'm glad I could help! What mower do you have?
@@WesternEquipment Just a basic S100 42" deck.
So glad I came across this video. My John Deere mower belt breaking too much and I kept saying 🤬.
I’ve had my S100 John Deere for two seasons, 52 hours on it. I’ve gone through four belts. The black belt covers are already worn too. I keep my deck clean. Should talk about the belt retainer (cap) that you sell
On the deck spindles they are sealed bearing so adding grease will not affect them as much
I changed the bearings on my old mower.
Top and bottom.
I looked where the grease went.
They don’t even touch the bearings.
please do a video showing people how to grease the pulleys
You totally forgot to mention the lift links, there are two and they adjust the rear height and level of the mower deck, also the front links on the U shaped bar that supports the front of the deck have to be tight so there is no movement in the mower deck. I have had problems with my X300 breaking belts for two years and have never seen this mentioned in a video before and the only reason I found that I had a bad lift link (meaning the nut is allowed to rotate in the lift link) because the lift link part was stripped (which allows the nut to spin) and I was unable to adjust and level the mower deck. Now my problem is solved.
I’m 10 hours in to a new mower from Lowe’s as a gift, it an s110 I think. Going to need a 4th belt. I’m pissed it’s gently used and cleaned every time. Only 10 hours
Mine is taking chunks out of it! I can't figure it out. Not just one spot. It's like huge chunks every inch.
Ever figure it out done had it happen twice this summer
Great video Brent and keeping the grass off your deck is a must. How often should you grease the deck? Thanks.
Thank you and at least once a season, but maybe more if you mow pretty frequently. I always grease before mowing season and again right in the middle of summer and that usually does the trick.
About a month ago i was mowing a hillside under some trees and my front tire ran over a small branch and the other end of it turned upwards into my belt guides at the crankshaft. It didnt really make any noise,but i smelled the belt. I shut it off immediately and dislodged the stick. The belt had rubbed halfway through the stick,which was about an inch in diameter. Im sure it didnt do any favors for the belt,but its an oem kevlar,so its pretty good quality. Doesnt seem to of hurt it much.
Those belts are usually pretty resilient, but good thing you found it and removed it so you didn't have any further damage. Over time that could have been a problem.
im still running the same belt from when my x724 was new. thats pretty good if u ask me.. keeping it clean is a must, thats why i pulled those pulley shields off. mine are bolted on & its a pain to remove them..
Sometimes removing those shields is a good thing. Especially if you are only mowing nice grass. How long have you had your X724?
@@WesternEquipment got it new in 2009.
Loose bearings in the spindles can cause the belt tracking also.
Yes, this is true as well. Hopefully this is avoided by proper greasing and maintenance of the deck.
Thank you for the help good sir!
No problem! Glad I could help!
I thought that John Deere used sealed bearings in their spindles and the grease was just to keep water and dirt out.
The x 300 has had nothing but mower deck belt probs it only now that JD is admitting the prob.
What kind of grease do you recommend and do you just apply it liberally on everything or only in certain areas?
Well my deck was cleaned, it just got greased, and in maintenance, and the belt still broke
Great video content! I’m gonna check to see if you have a video on how to grease those. I have the X370 and really like it. Cheers!
Thank you and I think you will find just what you are looking for!
my idler pulley's keep taking my belts out ....
Have you taken them off and looked to see if they are damaged?
@@WesternEquipment bearings go out .. every season.
true...replace both pulleys and belt ever year ..
Mine broke after 7 hours of use. Brand new 2023 Deere Zero Turn.
Did a stick or something cause the problem? Make sure to document it with the dealer in case it's a defect.
buy a scag !
My new x590 hydrostatic transmission reservoir showed some fluid had escaped from under the filler cap down onto the tank. Maybe the cap wasn’t tightened correctly at the factory? Does the filler cap have a rubber washer to help seal it against the tank to keep it from leaking? Thanks. Videos are helpful.
This cap should have a gasket on it to help it seal. I would check that and make sure it is tight.
Good stuff. Thank you
Mine broke in less than 3 hrs of run time
thank you!
do you suggest using a spray on conditioner on the belts, and if so, what brand conditioner do you suggest ? ty
I do not recommend a conditioner. I think it is more important to check the condition of your pulleys and idlers and keep your deck clean.
I'm going to make a chain and sprocket conversion kit. Screw this
I have had my John Deere mower for two months. I mowed my front yard, and the belt snapped in two after two mowing sessions. I replaced the belt, which costs me $60, and mowed my front yard, and it snapped in two again. Thus, I have mowed 4 times, and I am now having to buy my third belt. Your three "reasons" for the belt snapping in two, do not apply in my case. So...what gives? Why am I now having to buy a third belt?
Which mower do you have?
@@WesternEquipment Unfortunately, I purchased a John Deere S170. Whenever it is that I get it paid for, I am selling it at a loss, and will never again buy another John Deere anything, up to, and including, a tee shirt.
@@davidslone9776i qgree, my sister bought one for the vacation property we have. 4 hours and the belt broke. What a joke.
@@shmodzilla I wonder if enough people could get together, and file a class-action lawsuit, against John Deere, for their really poor design, and their failure to provide a recall to fix this problem. I will never again buy, or recommend, any John Deere lawn mower, or any of their products, for that matter. They produce a poor product, a poorly designed product, and they seemingly do not care to fix any of their errors.
Yes, I’ve had my s100 for 2 seasons. I should’ve went with a different brand. 52 hrs & 4 belts later. The black covers are worn from the belts. I keep my deck clean too
So my z915e when I turn on the blades I hear a high pitched noise and haven’t notice performances but it has the high pitch noise
Is it just when you turn it on or does it keep making the noise the whole time the blades are on?
@@WesternEquipment whole time blades are on
Does the grease type matter?
Not really, other than making sure you get one that is not a light duty grease.
nlgi 2
The belts break because they are too small. Say you have a 20 hp mower do you think you can transfer 20 Hp or even 10 hp through one tiny belt? Look at any other piece of equipment that has this amount of power like an air compressor. My comperssor has a 15 HP electric motor and not only does it have 4 belts on it but they are shorter, thicker, and directly routed. These mowers can’t handle transferring much power to the blades. You have to slow down and not take full width cuts or your going to eat belts constantly. They do this intentionally so you don’t bend and break the flimsy spindles, blades, and decks on these POS residential grade mowers. I hate to say this but these residential mowers are just garbage that will cost your a fortune over the years and countless hours of your time fixing. I’m so glad I got rid of mine, your going to spend north of $10k on a commercial grade mower that won’t break every time you mow brush, but it’s worth every penny. Over the course of 10 years your going to spend that on parts alone for a residential grade POS! And let’s not forget the hundreds of hours of your time fixing it.
QUESTION NOW AFTER 200HR+ ON MY S240 RIDING MOWER REAR END KEEPS LEAKING AROUND THE CASE. TAKING APART NEXT TWO DAYS TO FIX IT ANY IDEAS ON WHAT TO USE TO STOP IT FROM LEAKING
I would inspect it to see if the sealant has gone bad or if there are any cracks or anything in the housing. If it is just sealant then that should be an easy fix. Let me know what you find out.