Bit of a fright.

[Stormin 9,985]

   Yesterday I decided to mow the green opposite my abode. I do the lane verges and a piece of ground outside next door as well. So the nice rebuilt C-125 was fitted with my recently acquired 36" deck.

  Things went quite well. Nice and steady round the green as the grass was a tad long. Then onto the verge by the pond too the neighbours frontage. Halfway through and suddenly a horrible clattering and banging noise. Shut down fast and had the horrible thought the engine had gone.

  Tentatively placed my hand on the flywheel mesh guard to see if the engine would turn. It would and both forward and back. No strange noises either. So lets see if it will restart.

  Turned the key and nothing. Not even a click. The P.T.O. was disengaged by the way. Tried several times to no avail. Only thing to do was push it home.

  Back in the yard and off with the deck. Decided to try starting again. No luck at first, but with the bonnet/hood up, and trying the key I had a feel around at the wiring. Nothing until I touched the P.T.O. cut off switch and gave it a wobble. Engine fired and carried on running perfectly. Not frightening noises, just it's normal chuff, chuff, chuff.

  Diagnosis! Faulty switch so by passed it and all is well. But what was the racket then.

  Today I refitted the deck. Started the tractor, half revs and engaged the P.T.O. Bang, clatter and bang. Source found. Although the belt looked fine, it was flapping and bouncing like a good 'un. The years sitting in a shed had effected the fabric and the sudden use and an hours work finished it off.

 BTW. The belt tensioner was nice and free. Not stuck or sticking.

 

Edited April 9, 2019 by Stormin

[Pullstart 67,094]

That sounds like a mess of challenging fun!

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,362]

Sounds like you had one of my typical days. If it is not broke it is because I haven't looked at that part yet.  Hope you get everything sorted out. 

[Razorback 1,133]

I hate sudden, horrible, clattering, banging noises, don’t you????

 

Glad it wasn’t as bad as it must have sounded!

[953 nut 60,402]

1 hour ago, Stormin said:

suddenly a horrible clattering and banging noise.

Considering all of the possible causes of this frightening sound                 a belt replacement is a wonderful.       

[Tractorhead 9,212]

Each machine has it's own Sound, to know what is "normal " is sometimes a bit tricky.

 

If machines new to me, i listening what seems to be normal, after that i just listenig to Sounds they "not known".

Mostly if i hear sounds that are different from my knowledge, i try to find the reason.

Sometimes this will be just simple things, like the bolts on my FEL they rattle a bit after they several time used.

they're not worn but have a bit freeplay, after the first need, So maybe the paint on FEL let the Bolt stuck bit more as it should.

few times used and i hear a unknown metallic rattle..

 

 

 

but if some things happen, i search - and if it depends a day or more.

The first time i ignored a lightly clicking sound, where i didn't find a reason for (the sound is hard to describe)

was short before my old Onan Engine blast finally its cylinder.

 

Btw@ 953nut  totally agree a new belt will be never a bad idea...

Edited April 9, 2019 by Tractorhead

[Lee1977 7,232]

Hopefully you got all the rust out of the pulleys with the old belt,  and the new belt will last a long time. 

[squonk 43,960]

Had something similar my self today. Went to move the C-160 to put the deck on. Engaged the Hydro and SCREEEEEEE!. Disengaged and noise stopped. Tried again and SCREE then quiet. Put the deck on than pulled the belt cover. Belt idler bearing going bad. Glad it happened now and not during a snowstorm.