cdsl810 181 #1 Posted May 20, 2013 OK... So I was being a nice guy and helping the neighbor out since his Craftsman GT5000 is having issues, and I, of course have an indestructible 520-h. Well, the tractor may be as tough as they come, but the deck apparently, is not. My neighbor forgot to mention that he cut down some trees last fall. As luck would have it, I was able to locate one of the stumps hidden in the grass. Instantaneously, my very quiet 48" side discharge deck (78360) is now a very loud one. I have some rumbling going on somewhere on the deck assembly. Funny thing is, now it sounds like his Craftsman did when it worked... Yikes. I have checked the spindles for play that may have developed and the blades for damage/bending. They all look fine and the spindle bearings are still quiet and free. Can one of the pulleys be damaged by such an event and cause so much noise? Or should I check something else as a likely source of the problem? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim_M 179 #2 Posted May 20, 2013 Bent blade or baffle? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
groundhog47 347 #3 Posted May 20, 2013 You weren't mowin around sweet gum trees were ya. I had sweet gum balls get into mule V groove, blade drive, and main deck pulley and sounded like badgers at war. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cdsl810 181 #4 Posted May 20, 2013 No bent blades or baffles. And I finished cutting the neighbor's yard. The cut does not look rough or uneven. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dsholler 54 #5 Posted May 20, 2013 I bumped my 48 inch deck, and I did not notice anything when it was running, but when I lifted it (and forgot to stop the PTO, yeah, I know... ) it made a horrible noise... I guess I bent it just enough that when it was hanging, it flexed such that the blades were in contact with one of the bolt heads on the underside.. put a big score in the bolt head..but since it is fine with the wheels on the ground, I am just careful to turn off the PTO now.. Might want to check and see if there is something that is out of alignment at the time it is making noise, but not when you have it off the tractor and are turning it by hand. I assume you took it off to check. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cdsl810 181 #6 Posted May 20, 2013 I checked it again about an hour ago. It looks like the center pulley might be wobbling while the PTO is engaged. I will investigate this possibility the next time I pull the deck off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,523 #7 Posted May 21, 2013 I checked it again about an hour ago. It looks like the center pulley might be wobbling while the PTO is engaged. I will investigate this possibility the next time I pull the deck off. Removing and replacing the deck will be easier if the neighbor lends a hand. Tell him to bring a cold six-pack along! I live on the rock, Rockhill. Need dynamite to garden. Mow carefully, ouch! Another bolder just popped up! For this reason, keep a few spare Horses groomed, ready to work, in the barn. Makes perfect sense to me. :smile: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cdsl810 181 #8 Posted May 24, 2013 Yep. The 20hp Onan/PTO clutch combo is stronger than a pulley if the pulley suddenly stops while everything else is in motion. The belt torqued on it, now it wobbles. At least the spindles survived. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
