ZD1211 zero turn mower deck pulley mystery

[jkahan]

Hi folks - hope this question is not too far out there.

I have a Kubota ZD1211-60 diesel zero turn mower -- awesome btw - I use it to mow about 10 acres of lawns and fields (bumpy but fun). Yesterday, one of the deck side pullies (drive belt contact point for one of the 3 blades) literally disappeared. the whole thing is MIA except for the core hub (where the blade spindle attaches). The pulley must have gotten wicked hot since it it melted the protective plastic deck cover. Belt appears to be fine. Anyone else seen this before? thanks ... Josh

bad pulley's diameter is 3" (+/-). Good pulley has a 6 3/4" diameter.

 

[Nicfin36]

Photos would certainly help. I am curious since I have a ZD1011. I took off those protective covers from day 1. My old riding mower packed material under the pulley covers before I removed them on it, so I figured it would be no different than with the ZD1011.

Do you grease the spindles often?

 

[jkahan]

hi - thanks for asking about grease -- yes - well greased. I just posted photos (see above).I love this machine - deck is a little bit of a PIA to take on and off but I only do that a couple of times a year (mostly blade sharpening)

 

[TheOldHokie]

Hi folks - hope this question is not too far out there.

I have a Kubota ZD1211-60 diesel zero turn mower -- awesome btw - I use it to mow about 10 acres of lawns and fields (bumpy but fun). Yesterday, one of the deck side pullies (drive belt contact point for one of the 3 blades) literally disappeared. the whole thing is MIA except for the core hub (where the blade spindle attaches). The pulley must have gotten wicked hot since it it melted the protective plastic deck cover. Belt appears to be fine. Anyone else seen this before? thanks ... Josh

bad pulley's diameter is 3" (+/-). Good pulley has a 6 3/4" diameter.
View attachment 62474
View attachment 62475

Looks like something was rubbing against it and ground the sheaves away. From the looks of the carcass I would thing there was plenty of noise and smell.

Dan

 

[GeoHorn]

Looks like a two-piece/spot-welded pulley/sheave which split and tore-away.

 

[Nicfin36]

I had a pulley come apart on an my old Husqvarna riding mower. It split into two pieces. I did not realize it was made as two pieces welded together. I am not sure if the ZD1211 pulley is similar, but it could just be a case of having a defective pulley.

I have yet to sharpen the blades on mine, but I must ask why you remove the deck? I can access my blades using the lift system on the mower. I had to add the lift, but I know it is standard on the ZD1211.