MTD Yardman Autodrive 16/42
Verified6 reviews
- Weekly
Wider Belt the solution – I don't know what year my MTD Yardman is, thinking 2006 but unsure. Anyway, was given this by a mate who upgraded. It needed a service and belt replacement which cost (NZD) $500ish so it actually wasn't free.... Anyway, 2 hours after this service it went through the new belt, when I say went through the belt twisted and slipped out of the rear… Read more
pulley wheel. Another trip to the Mower repairer, another new belt and another $350 later. This time it lasted until I went over the first cabbage tree leaf and, yep belt twisted and came off again. Thats when I saw the review Belts Breaking Solution on this site by Steven and thought that was exactly the issue I had - ie the belt to me looked to 'thin' and weedy for the pulley wheels. I took a chance and cut the v-belt off to measure it correctly - the old belt was 2725mm (105"ish) in length , but only 7mm thick. The belt was therefore not grabbing the edges of the pulley wheel but only tensioning at the centre of the wheel itself. As soon as a cabbage tree leaf ([Word Removed] things anyway) or similar got pulled through the wheel, this would cause the belt to twist and eventually (sooner rather than later it seems) twist off the wheel. What convinced me the belt was too thin was that there is a little rod positioned by the front pulley wheel which is meant to stop the belt flying off but this skinny belt had worked its way through this. I found a replacement belt locally for $90 which is an A105s Super11 Carlisle Vee Belt, 2725mm in length and 14mm wide. I hadn't replaced a belt before but thank goodness the layout diagram was still visible on the top of the deck. The deck dropped off nicely after releasing the two pins and I was able to feed the new belt through after loosening the top bolts of the flywheels. Anyway, to cut a long story short I deliberately ran over half a dozen cabbage tree leaves and the Yardman spat them out and kept running. Needless to say I am really happy and saved many dollars already. Thanks again Steven for the solution.
MTD 16/42 REVIEW – As per most other reviews the problem is in replacing the cutter deck belts, every 2 years or so. They last long if you cut with a higher deck setting. I will try the kevlar belts recommended by a previous reviewer.The Kohler engine is great, the transmission is good. Easy to operate, steering is good, maybe a bit heavy. Show details
Nightmare – OMG .. spent double the price over the last 8 years!! What a lemon and that's being nice only used on flat ground not heavy use just around house!! Walked out today after i just paid for another 400 buck service 1 month ago and it's thrown a belt again. Just parked it up the front gate with key's in and hope someone takes it. Show details
Belts breaking solution – I have the MTD Yardman Autodrive Lawn Mower 42'cut 16hp 2005 model since 2007. My belts kept breaking so looked closer at 'Why'. I believe the cutting belt size that are recommended by the manufacturer and dealers are undersized and too narrow for the pulleys, hence overheating and breaking under load. An easy income of selling replacement belts… Read more
by the Dealer outlets?
I replaced the manufacturers recommended belt size with the 'Gates Blade runner' belt code # 6492BR size = 17mm x 2785 or 21/52 x 109-5/8". These are Kevlar belts designed for commercial lawn mowers and cost around AU$45 from a commercial/trade 'V' belt/bearing stockist. These belts will last for ages, like mine now has 60+ hours of cutting dense Aussie grasses and sticks. Same theory should apply to your drive belt. I have nothing to gain from the above information apart from more cash in my pocket!
Cheers guys,
Steven
Yardman throwing belts – Does anyone know what pulleys need to be raised and what not to stop yardman throwing belts? I have 2007 16hp Kohler twin spindle 42" cutter. Think belt twisting as it goes around pulleys then heating up and snapping or throwing belt. No good yardman mower is suppose to mower. Cheers people
Biggest heap of junk I have ever paid good money for – From day one the MTD 42 inch cut auto 2011 mower continually broke drive belts at $40.00 each it was not funny.Had it back to the dealer endless times and finally just before the warranty expired MTD admitted that there was a design fault.After some repaires it again broke belts and I started buying them in twos.Since them the solenoid has… Read more
failed,the lift arms broke into 2 pieces at different times,the deck protector came off and bent both blades.The Kohler twin 20hp motor is great the only thing that is on this mower.
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