Deck slows under load

[Hubbard414 32]

          Hello,. I have a 308-8 that I use for mowing.  I just gave it a tune up, cleaned the deck and sharpened the blades.  After putting everything back together I went out and started to cut the grass.  I engaged the deck and it sounded fine but as soon as it hit grass the deck seemed to slow down,  it was still cutting grass but leaving some.  I had to mow everything twice.  The motor wasn't losing power, and the belt was nice and snug.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  

[pfrederi 18,711]

PTO Clutch may be slipping.  Unhook the PTO rod from the clutch lever turn the trunnion in a turn and see if it helps.

[clueless 3,259]

Blades upside down?

 

Chris in Florida.

[daveoman1966 3,841]

Spring tension slide bar that the deck idler pulley is mounted to may be the culprit.  May be pligged with dirt / debris preventing it from sliding to maintain belt tension.

 

[953 nut 60,326]

I'm with @clueless on this one, if the blades are upside down you will bludgeon the grass to death. Don't ask me how I happen to know this.  

[Hubbard414 32]

Thanks for the replies!  I double checked the blades and they are installed correct.  I believe pfrederi got this one, I turned the pto rod 1 half turn and that helped a lot, it cut much better.    If i was able to turn the rod another half turn I think it would be perfect, but there's no treads left.  Any ideas

Here's a pic 

[953 nut 60,326]

15 minutes ago, Hubbard414 said:

no treads left.  Any ideas

Guess you could run a die down the rod and cut a few more threads.

[Hubbard414 32]

Great idea! Thanks

[Hubbard414 32]

I've never had to use a tap and die set before..  Has anyone used one from harbor freight before?   For the price and how often I will use it, it seems like a good deal.  

[skrusins 128]

How tall is the grass?

[Hubbard414 32]

Not to tall, it had only been a week or so since I last mowed.

[Marv 984]

If you have run out of adjustment on the pto rod trunion the bearing in the end of the pto bell may be bad. Looks like you have plenty of shoe left.

Marvin

[Bert 760]

My C-165 had the same problem, I just slid the pulley out on the crank about an 1/8th inch. Put it back together and problem solved 

If you have the same problem you'll notice a lot of space (side to side not up and down) between the belt and the guard. 

[Hubbard414 32]

The bearing inside the pto bell is definitely bad there is a lot of play in it.  I'll have to look into replacing that too

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,512]

2 hours ago, Hubbard414 said:

The bearing inside the pto bell is definitely bad there is a lot of play in it.  I'll have to look into replacing that too

Do that first and your adjustment problem will likely be solved.

 

109842 Toro bearing is Napa 7-04250 but take the old one with you to be sure.

 

Garry

[Hubbard414 32]

Thanks guys for all the help

[can whlvr 994]

and don't over grease that bearing when you do it,it will just fly out