Caroni mower

[clinton winery]

My friend has a 93 Caroni mower(TCN910NSRD) that he bought refurbished a few years ago. He's always had problems with the right side(standing behind the mower) wearing out belts and idler pulleys. I looked at it and I noticed that the outer pulley is about an inch lower than the other pulleys on that side. The left side pulleys are all even. I thought maybe that the outer pulley might be a different part number but Agri-supply says they are the same. They don't have any 93 inch mowers in stock so they couldn't look at a new one. Was wondering if anyone running that mower could help me out. Read that belt alignment is important so can't understand why this outer pulley is lower than the others. Thanks

 

[Janicholson]

Welcome to YT forums and PartsASAP
Belt alignment is a priority on all equipment using them. premature wear indicates one of three things, Pulley alignment, belt tension/adjustment, or overloading. First look for failed bearings at the "different" pulley, then to see if someone modified or patched the mount.
If the guards are off, use a string, placed to touch the sides of pulleys. they should be within 2mm, or 1/8 Inch over a distance of 300mm or 1 foot.
Jim

 

[ss55]

My friend has a 93 Caroni mower(TCN910NSRD) that he bought refurbished a few years ago. He's always had problems with the right side(standing behind the mower) wearing out belts and idler pulleys. I looked at it and I noticed that the outer pulley is about an inch lower than the other pulleys on that side. The left side pulleys are all even. I thought maybe that the outer pulley might be a different part number but Agri-supply says they are the same. They don't have any 93 inch mowers in stock so they couldn't look at a new one. Was wondering if anyone running that mower could help me out. Read that belt alignment is important so can't understand why this outer pulley is lower than the others. Thanks

If the mower has been refurbished, the prior damage is unknown and about anything could have been changed during that repair just good enough to get the mower sold.
I would check everything:
Is the mower deck/frame still straight and solid.
Are all the spindles the same or is the right one shorter.
Are all the spindles vertical or it the right one crooked.
Is the mount for the right spindle solid or is it cracked and flexing.
Are the pulleys all the same.
Is the right spindle straight or could that spindle be bent.
Are the idlers parallel to the belt.

If the mower is not used much the cost to replace belts might be the lesser evil compared to paying for another major refurbishment on it or replacing it with a mower in better condition.

 

[ss55]

If the mower has been refurbished, the prior damage is unknown and about anything could have been changed during that repair just good enough to get the mower sold.
I would check everything:
Is the mower deck/frame still straight and solid.
Are all the spindles the same or is the right one shorter.
Are all the spindles vertical or it the right one crooked.
Is the mount for the right spindle solid or is it cracked and flexing.
Are the pulleys all the same.
Is the right spindle straight or could that spindle be bent.
Are the idlers parallel to the belt.

If the mower is not used much the cost to replace belts might be the lesser evil compared to paying for another major refurbishment on it or replacing it with a mower in better condition.

A straight edge or metal yard stick laid on a pulley flange can help to see if it is parallel and inline with the other spindle pulleys.

 

[greenmech]

My friend has a 93 Caroni mower(TCN910NSRD) that he bought refurbished a few years ago. He's always had problems with the right side(standing behind the mower) wearing out belts and idler pulleys. I looked at it and I noticed that the outer pulley is about an inch lower than the other pulleys on that side. The left side pulleys are all even. I thought maybe that the outer pulley might be a different part number but Agri-supply says they are the same. They don't have any 93 inch mowers in stock so they couldn't look at a new one. Was wondering if anyone running that mower could help me out. Read that belt alignment is important so can't understand why this outer pulley is lower than the others. Thanks

Could it be the pulley is reversed and the extended flange on the top side? Ron MN

 

[Janicholson]

A straight edge or metal yard stick laid on a pulley flange can help to see if it is parallel and inline with the other spindle pulleys.

From watching a very amature video, there may not be accessability for placing a straight edge under the drive support. JIm

 

[clinton winery]

Thanks for the replies. The mower looks solid and level. The spindles look the same. I put a level on the pulleys and it was obviously way off. I'll try and find out exactly how far off it is. The mower cuts very well. I'm heading up his way tomorrow so I'll take a closer look. Something is definitely misaligned. Even with new belts and correct tension that right side belt has more oscillation than the other side. He can't remember what if anything was done to the mower as he has dementia now. I know two idler pulleys and two sets of belts have been replaced( Idler pulley is $150).

 

[clinton winery]

Could it be the pulley is reversed and the extended flange on the top side? Ron MN

I was wondering if I could just turn the pulley over and see if that would line it up better. Actually I tried to get it off but no luck even with gear puller. Not a mechanic here just a parts changer.

 

[Janicholson]

With an unlevel pulley it is likely a a blade has hit a stump or rock and bent the deck. Cleaning to paint and putting a straight edge on the deck can point the way. Metal working shops can flatten the deck material, and place a reinforcement that does not change the height of the pulley or enter the belt path. Jim