C-81 Concern...

[Kevbo 81]

Good evening all,

 

Today I jumped on my C-81 to get it a little work out on the lawn and I was a little disappointed. I just restored a 37" SD for it and when the grass was lightly growing it mowed fine. It just seems now with the grass getting thick that it lack power? I understand it is only a 8HP but I have heard many people on this forum rave about the 8HP Kohler. When I was cutting in first gear it seemed to not have enough power to cut through the grass and this grass wasn't really that thick...When I engage the deck there is a rather large decreased in engine power and I notice the deck belt looks to be moving slower than my other horses. Belt seemed tight...hmmmmmm....spindles look like they are moving nice and quick....when the C-81 starts to mow uphill, I also noticed a decrease in power?

 

Thoughts anyone?

 

[jay in nc 210]

do you have the belt running on the larger sheve ?  the k181 should have plenty of power for a 36 or 37 in. deck.  Jay

[bean 85]

I mowed with a 42" deck with an 8hp no name. you should have no problem with a 36". something is amiss. what gear are you in? I mowed in 2nd(4speed). if you are in 3 high, that may be too much to tackle a hill and heavy grass

ps. reread your post. wow, won't cut in 1st gear. definitely not right

[MalMac 1,332]

Should have more than enough power to run that deck providing your not trying to mow 10 inch tall grass. You say you notice the power come down when engaging the PTO. Is it actually pulling down the motor or is the clutch slipping enough that you notice the belt running slower than what the engine is. If the PTO is not slipping and belts are tight and not slipping you might check to see if the deck is binding up some how putting a pull on the motor. You might check the deck by engaging it with out cutting any grass to see if it pulls down the motor. If everything is ok maybe you have a governor problem.

[47JDG 65]

Check what others have said first, but maybe you have a spindle bearing too tight and binding if you just rebuilt that deck. I would take your deck back off and really look at the spindles and see how easily they turn. They should spin freely and easily. It should run that deck with no trouble at all even in thick grass.

[Kevbo 81]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think ill make a video to show you what it is doing. Ill get one posted tomorrow hopefully.

[Butch 194]

My Kohler 8hp has plenty of balls. I run a 36 SD with no problem what so ever. When I engage the PTO/mower deck there is a slight

bog down that you hear. I use this deck to mulch up all our leaves and this years spring garden clipping clean up. These are real large

piles of garden'/leave debris that takes some work and that 8hp responds with no trouble.

[WH nut 553]

What is the governor doing. Make sure you have it set to 3600 RPM and that  it is functioning. When it starts to bog make sure the throttle is going wide open.

[bean 85]

kevbo,

here is a video of my 310-8 mowing our other lot.

 

 I was unable to mow for 2 weeks(wifes knee surgey and endless rain)

I wasn't expecting grass this tall. over the top of the front tires

I have a 42" rd deck. my 8hp wouldn't have been up to the 42" deck, but a 36" deck would have been fine.

 I had to mow in 1 hi, and in a few spots, 3 lo

probably have to bail it tomorrow

ps. sorry about the lousy phone vid

[Kevbo 81]

Wooo that is some high grass! I'll get a video up as soon as I have time so we can better diagnose my issue.

[Moparfanforever 886]

I did an engine swap on my 1848 and i guess i didn't tighten down the set screws on the drive pulley enough and it slipped on the crank and was rubbing on the block.

 

It was doing the same thing your engine is doing. May not be the problem since it is just a deck swap , but it may not hurt to check.