About 2 acres seems to be the limit before things start breaking or tearing out. I might need to think about a better option when we move to the farm.

I saw a tip on another channel that slowing engine speed before disengaging the blades would save wear and tear on the blade brakes. I tried it and the first few times it worked fine. Then one day, I slowed the engine down, disengaged the belt and the belt broke. I assumed the belt slipped off the pulley, got sucked under the deck and got cut. I put on another belt and the first time I slowed the engine and disengaged the blades it happened again. I THINK I disengaged the blades too soon after slowing engine speed. (Just a guess) I’m not touching the throttle again until after I disengage the blades. Perhaps you should look at the blade brakes as possibly causing the breakage. Keep us updated, I’d love to know what you find out

I had 2 belts snap last week on a deere s140. In the shop right now.

Looking at the belt, the frayed areas are facing mainly in the one direction, that to me indicates the the belt is hitting an edge somewhere. The obvious place is the supporting brackets that secure the back of the deck to the body. As the belt has to travel from one side of the deck to the other without guides the belt would be moving and flexing and most likely hitting those supports. A simple solution if that was the problem is to fabricate two guides and attach them to the deck supports to eliminate those square edges. Just a thought.

I drilled holes in the black pully covers for better air flow around them!

When i had a craftsman the deck belt and drive belts were easy because the metal guards against the idler pulley's had a little give to them where you could just slip the belt between the guard and the pulley but not on the John Deere. Its thicker metal with no give so you gotta take the pulley almost all the way off which is a real pain. The drive belt looks so hard to do ill probably just take it in to John Deere which is what they want in the first place. I love my S 170 though it has lots of power.

Nice job explaining the maintenance of a Deere!

Check pulley alignment that i did on mine and the belt is doing better.

Fella your creating heat and breaking belts because spindle bearings are dry. I know it has grease fitting on top but they put sealed bearing there. Take spindle apart and remove the seal on each bearing did this mine no more belt problems.

I put my 4th belt on yesterday & and new pto cable(broke) 52 hrs on mower. My black belt covers have wear from the belts. I found that john deere does sell a belt retainer on it’s website. I ordered 1. I’ll see how that goes.

Friend I just came across your video. From what I see when you have the deck off. The movable bracket with the large idler pulley (movable with spring tension ) is bent up quite a bit. That idler pulley is not on plane with the other pulleys and sheaves. Bend it or replace the bracket. Before reinstalling the deck pull the belt tight as if it were on the machine and see if the belt is rubbing on any brackets !!!

I have had mine 3 years, on the third belt. They break with raw abandon. I tried idle power engagement, no difference. Mine have broken while running and cutting.

I’ve broken 4 belts now in less than 50 hours. I understand the frustration. I’m putting a new belt on and getting something else besides a John Deere.

I have an e-180 with 91 hrs, 3/4 acre turf cutting. I'm on my 4th belt now in 3 years.

Definitely recommend finding a decent used X series. These cheap box store quality mowers are just that. Worst thing JD ever did was start selling at the box stores. I picked up just yesterday a 2003 X495 for a grand. I'll be another grand into it for a deck and some odds and ends. Those were $12K new. You don't need a diesel but a higher grade X series will do you better.

Where do you have the throttle when you turn the blades on??

Any update on the mower?

6 belts in 3 years

What size is the belt

Did u spin ur spindles without the belt on lissen for a grinding noise if nice and quiet ur good if it's noisy like a grinding noise ur bearings a shot no good u don't have to replace the hole spindle just the barrings u have 2 per spindle I see u have 3 spindle so u have 6 of em total... sincerely.... RIGO SMALL ENGINE REPAIR

that one pully does not line up

John Deere s170

Your pulley is bent down

and blow that grass out from under the black cover the grass holds in heat!

This is the money difference between an entry level product, or a good, well built high end residential product. I just bought an S130 knowing it only has to mow a 4700 sq ft lot. It was $2899. The step up to a fabricated, well built mower like a Bad Boy was $ 3999 and up. Don't be cheap and expect miracles. Do your homework and talk to dealers, not Home Depot.