mrose1 1 #1 Posted July 24, 2023 I have an elderly (like me) wheelhorse 312-8. Recently the blades failed to move in anysort of longish grass. I have repalced both the drive belt recently and the deck(spindle) belt today. The spindle belt was loose but the new one fits much tighter. Everything has been greased. The blades turn really fast when started but as soon as they meet grass they slow down and stop. The deck is a side based and I quite like to collect the cuttings. I just woner if by no longer collecting the cuttings it might make things easier. Any suggestions welcome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 41,916 #2 Posted July 24, 2023 It could be the PTO clutch is slipping which will slow the drive belt and allow all the blades to slow down, or the spindle belt may be slipping due to a non function deck belt tensioner. In this case only the two outside blades will slow down. Try to determine where it is slipping, then we can help to solve the problem. to the 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heatingman 971 #3 Posted July 24, 2023 Is the main belt between the motor and the deck moving or does that stop moving? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrose1 1 #4 Posted July 24, 2023 Spindle belt tensioner, the ?spring, is working freely. The PTO is a possibility as sometimes the machine does not start until the PTO (deck) is jiggled . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrose1 1 #5 Posted July 24, 2023 The belt between the motor and deck moves fine and have tightened it to see if that made a difference. Which it didn't Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 41,916 #7 Posted July 24, 2023 15 minutes ago, mrose1 said: The belt between the motor and deck moves fine and have tightened it to see if that made a difference. Which it didn't OK, great, the PTO and drive belt are not slipping and the deck belt tensioner is working properly. So the drive belt has to be slipping on the center deck pulley or the center pulley is slipping on the spindle. Can you check to see if the center deck pulley is rotating when the blades are not turning? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrose1 1 #8 Posted July 24, 2023 Back from a quick mow!. Drive belt and blades work at the same speed. IE when they go slow so does the drive belt ( vica versa) When I turned one of the blades manually the drive belt moved. Just how tight can I make the drive belt? The manual says 1" depression under moderate finger pressure. Presumably my finger pressure is much the same as a fit young mans!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrose1 1 #9 Posted July 24, 2023 1 hour ago, Heatingman said: Is the main belt between the motor and the deck moving or does that stop moving? Sorry I misunderstood you. As I have just noticed it does slow down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 7,821 #10 Posted July 24, 2023 My 14-8 is doing the same thing last time I mowed. Haven't gotten too deep into it yet, but visually, my PTO clutch looks ok. I'm swapping from my RD deck to my SD deck to see if I have a deck issue. If my SD deck runs slow, it indicates a PTO clutch issue. First move there will be to tighten the trunion up a turn or three. . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 41,916 #11 Posted July 24, 2023 59 minutes ago, mrose1 said: Drive belt and blades work at the same speed. IE when they go slow so does the drive belt So, now you have determined the drive belt is slowing down. It could be worn on the sides enough to allow it to bottom out in the bottom of the PTO drive pulley. Or more likely the PTO clutch is slipping. The pressure on the PTO clutch can be increased by removing the hairpin clip on the trunnion and rotating the trunnion 1 turn on the threaded rod. To increase tension, rotate the trunnion cw looking from the front. Thus shortening the rod length. Can you determine if the PTO bell is slowing down when the belt slows? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrose1 1 #12 Posted July 24, 2023 Will look into this tomorrow morning as night time is with us in Europe!. Thanks for all the help Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrose1 1 #13 Posted July 25, 2023 Thank you all. The blades are working perfectly. Brilliant. I don't suppose I can tighten the slipping main clutch as easily!. A kick on the pedal normally produces the best result at the moment. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,252 #14 Posted July 25, 2023 @mrose1 go over every related linkage bit for easy movement / lubrication , would also favor your highest cutting setting , to increase discharge / venting , might check under the deck with a small mirror , to see how much grass is packed up into it . thats another drag area, pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
