Mower question

[mikeyis4dcats.]

So I've got a 3 year old Craftsman yard tractor. About 100hrs on it, and i think one of the spindles is shot already. Doesn't turn easily and is loud when the blades are turned off and the belt stops.

Anyhow, why in the hell would this have gone bad so quick (but of course after warranty expired)?

[Baby Lee]

So I've got a 3 year old Craftsman yard tractor. About 100hrs on it, and i think one of the spindles is shot already. Doesn't turn easily and is loud when the blades are turned off and the belt stops.

Anyhow, why in the hell would this have gone bad so quick (but of course after warranty expired)?

Engine spindle, pulley spindle, deck spindle or wheel spindle?

[LoneWolf]

Because Craftsman sucks.

[Buehler445]

So I've got a 3 year old Craftsman yard tractor. About 100hrs on it, and i think one of the spindles is shot already. Doesn't turn easily and is loud when the blades are turned off and the belt stops.

Anyhow, why in the hell would this have gone bad so quick (but of course after warranty expired)?

Does it have a grease zerk?

[cosmo20002]

Did you check the antifreeze?

[digger]

Because Craftsman sucks.
Get one of these. http://www.deere.com/wps/dcom/en_US/products/equipment/riding_mowers/zero_turn_mowers/z200_series/z255/z255.page? http://www.deere.com/common/media/images/product/riding_mowers/zero_turn_mowers/z200_series/z255/r4a045223_Z255_642x462.png

[Buzz]

www.thepartsbiz.com (http://www.thepartsbiz.com/) wow, thread is less than 2 weeks old.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Engine spindle, pulley spindle, deck spindle or wheel spindle?

deck I think

[mikeyis4dcats.]

www.thepartsbiz.com (http://www.thepartsbiz.com/) wow, thread is less than 2 weeks old.

yeah, that thread was what spurned me to look at it this weekend. and check the warranty. :mad:

[kccrow]

did you check the balance of your blade? that'll cause you more trouble than anything

[Baby Lee]

deck I think

Deck spindles directly run a blade. Pulley spindles guide the belt from the engine to the deck spindles and back, keeping tension in the belt.

Also, if you can locate the part number for the tractor [usually on a nameplate on the frame]

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/

has a lot of info, including maintenance manuals and replacement part #s.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Deck spindles directly run a blade. Pulley spindles guide the belt from the engine to the deck spindles and back, keeping tension in the belt.

Also, if you can locate the part number for the tractor [usually on a nameplate on the frame]

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/

has a lot of info, including maintenance manuals and replacement part #s.
ah.

when turning the blades one turns easily, the other drags. So I guess I'm not sure if it's deck or pulley then, but I think deck.

My mower has been cutting a little uneven, so I have been fiddling with the blades, but they seem to be level and all.

[Buzz]

yeah, that thread was what spurned me to look at it this weekend. and check the warranty. :mad:

First, does it cut okay? Second, do you have excessive vibration? If no, your good.

[Buzz]

ah.

when turning the blades one turns easily, the other drags. So I guess I'm not sure if it's deck or pulley then, but I think deck.

My mower has been cutting a little uneven, so I have been fiddling with the blades, but they seem to be level and all.

spindles, blades don't do that, time to replace.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1DVVvjWjH54" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[mikeyis4dcats.]

First, does it cut okay? Second, do you have excessive vibration? If no, your good.

had some vibration before I pulled and reset the blades this weekend, was better after.

[LOCOChief]

The blade fits over a star or notch's that hold it in place. If the blade is not attached properly they strip out, blades off balance and that sounds like what you've described.

[Buzz]

had some vibration before I pulled and reset the blades this weekend, was better after.

You cant reset blades, sharpening wrong puts them out of balance.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

You cant reset blades, sharpening wrong puts them out of balance.

reset as in I removed them and then reinstgalled them after looking them over good.

[Buzz]

reset as in I removed them and then reinstgalled them after looking them over good.

belt, spindle, blade, one of 3 is bad, look closer.

[kccrow]

Check balance first... watch this vid... its kinda what you want... Unlike this guy, clean your blades before balancing. I like to backgrind my blades similar to what you do with moulder knives... you can look up backgrinding but its basically start with like a 25 degree grind to rough grind then finish grind at 20 degrees... it strengthens the sharpened edge.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK2bo3esbAI

[Buzz]

If it's the spindle and you have never taken the blades off, plan on a break over bar and a sledge hammer. Use bailing wire to hold the linkage up when taking the deck out and putting it back in, pay attention to the linkage placement and clips. The spring goes under and not over.