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The belt that drives the mower blades bit the dust tonight and I replaced it with a spare. It's actually the belt that came with the LA125 when it was purchased. The problem is that there's too much tension on the belt and when the engine is on, the belt is engaged, driving the blades. I've backed off on the belt tensioner as far as I can, and even went as far as removing one of the bolts that hold the tensioner in place so I could move it further.

If the deck is lowered considerably, between 1-2 inches, the belt is relaxed and the blades will not turn...if it's raised above 3, too much tension is on it and the blades engage.

The tensioner pulley is all the way to the right (looking down at the deck) so I don't think it's being pulled by the cable.

What am I missing?

Thanks

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  • I'm stabbing in the dark here, but the first things that come to mind are making sure the path is correct, that it is seated correctly, and that there are no twists in the belt. I don't know the mechanism, but if it were on "inside-out" it might not seat as deep as it should into the groove and then that would make it tighter than it should be. These problems may not even be possible with this mechanism, but it's all I've got.
    – That Idiot
    Aug 7, 2015 at 18:28
  • I'm pretty sure I have the belt on right...I was careful to follow the existing belt before I took it off. It's possible that I have flipped inside out...I'll have to check that. How much of a difference do think that'll make?
    – Carl
    Aug 7, 2015 at 22:28
  • Again, this is pure speculation, but I wouldn't be surprised if putting it on like inside out, if possible, would change how it sits by 1/4 to 1/2"
    – That Idiot
    Aug 8, 2015 at 0:20
  • You were right; that was the issue.
    – Carl
    Aug 12, 2015 at 11:34
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    Wow, Idiot!! That was pretty incredible!! DIY stuff should be attempted only after you've talked with experts. I made friends with 2-stroke engine tool-fixers! Take your mowers, weedwackers, blowers in to a great company and when they fix or go through these tools, they'd love to educate...otherwise, ask IDIOT, grins!!!!
    – stormy
    Aug 12, 2015 at 21:45

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The first things that come to mind are making sure the path is correct, that it is seated correctly, and that there are no twists in the belt. I don't know the mechanism, but if it were on "inside-out" it might not seat as deep as it should into the groove and then that would make it tighter than it should be. I wouldn't be surprised if putting it on inside out would change how it sits making it tighter by 1/4 to 1/2"

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