Exmark transmission drive/tension pulley

[Trader153]

I have a 2004 36" exmark metro model #M3613KAC. Today as I started it up to let it idle for a bit, I noticed and smelled smoke coming from under the engine deck. I shut it down and looked under to check the belts, the tranny drive/tension pulley was very hot and not spinning as it should. I freed it up be hand, it spins now but makes a grinding noise. I'm assuming the bearings are bad in this pulley, does this sound right?? Is this easy enough to replace?? Thanks for any help

[MASTERMOWER]

You guessed it.

Visit your dealer and pick up a new pulley and perhaps a new belt depending on its condition. Installation is quite simple.

[hardboiled]

I have an 01 that required replacing of that idler in a fairly short number of hours, maybe 150. Then recently, I had it smoke as you said. The bearing is noisy again but I spun it by hand and freed it up and stopped the smoking. Was able to continue mowing. I also used a hypo filled with grease and added some grease to the new bearing when I put it in. It outlasted the original. The next one will get the same greasing.

[Trader153]

Thanks guys!