I have had two tension springs fail this season. Both broke at same end just past the coil. Anybody else having issue and any thoughts to get longer service than maybe 30- 40 hrs? Also any good sources for replacement spring.
Yes a couple issues I've seen with them.
FIrst and foremost, there's a confidence campaign available for these mowers, and depending on the serial number yours might be eligible for the tension arm kit update. That comes with 3 new idler pulleys, the tension arm, and new style belt.
Secondly. The spring's supposed to have a couple rubber dampers on it. Are you transferring them to the new spring?
Thirdly. Vibration. The #1 cause of spring failure is excessive vibration, which is "usually" caused by a piece of debris getting stuck in a pulley OR worn out blades. Debris stuck in a pulley is the #1 cause...usually a piece of gravel, or a piece of wood, gum ball, pine cone, whatever. Lot of pine cones as of lately for whatever reason-maybe the squirrels are knocking them out of the trees.
And lastly, the belt. I forget on the 54's but on the 48's there are 2 different belts available. One is longer than the other. If you use the short belt where it needs the longer one, it stresses the spring excessively and it'll break.
Check into the confidence campaign. Call your dealer and give them your mower's serial number (next to your left foot if you're sitting in the seat as if you was operating it). If it's available, let 'em do it....there's quite a bit that can be done that makes the Kommanders a much more reliable machine.
