Buckwheat 3 #1 Posted May 28, 2020 I have a new to me old 310-8. Just brought it out of winter storage, got it running good, pushed lever to run cutting blades and the pully housing won't turn. When It us off or in neutral it will spin, but when running when I push lever on right site to engage it does not turn and motor dies. What should I look for? Thank you, David Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kasey54 305 #2 Posted May 28, 2020 Does it load up and slip the belt and stall, or does the engine act like its shut off? Welcome to Red Square!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kasey54 305 #3 Posted May 28, 2020 Does the mower deck spin easily by hand? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buckwheat 3 #5 Posted May 28, 2020 The belt does not slip, it seems to get stuck and does not move. When I shut it off, I can move the belt, same when running in neutral. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,843 #6 Posted May 28, 2020 So the motor stalls because it can't turn the blades? Or does the motor just turn off like something is turning it off? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,843 #7 Posted May 28, 2020 What kind of shape are your mule drive pulleys and bearings in? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buckwheat 3 #8 Posted May 28, 2020 Motor stalls because the red sprocket on the pto will not turn, belt seems stuck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buckwheat 3 #9 Posted May 28, 2020 Do not know, have not taken it apart yet. Need to get small needle nose to get off split-washer off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kasey54 305 #10 Posted May 28, 2020 with the engine shut off,can you turn the outer pulley of the pto with the belt? Sounds like the mule or mower deck is stuck . Can you turn the blades from underneath? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buckwheat 3 #11 Posted May 28, 2020 Yes, I can turn the Pulley. With the motor off, All the pulleys turn. First time I tried to mow, I went 100 yds or so and realized it was not mowing. Turned off and checked belt was stuck in place and really hot. But was able to move it after turning motor off. motor off. Now when I try to get blades moving with lever, it taxes the motor and would eventually kill motor. thanks for your help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kasey54 305 #12 Posted May 28, 2020 Have you tried to reach under and spin all blades of your deck? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnymag3 2,569 #13 Posted May 28, 2020 If the deck pulleys spin freely, and the double red pulley of the PTO spins freely....then you have a MULE DRIVE issue. That is the only link between the two !!! Check out the two pulleys on the front of the lower part of the tractor. That is the MULE drive. one is flat, and the other is grooved normally. You will figure this out go get it.... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buckwheat 3 #14 Posted May 28, 2020 When I was trying to get blades turning, once it ran like it should, turning the blades, then I pulled back on the lever. Then tried again with kever forward and it was stuck again. So I think the blades can move. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kasey54 305 #15 Posted May 28, 2020 Does the double pulley on the front of the tractor turn? As Squonk and Johnymag have asked? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kasey54 305 #16 Posted May 28, 2020 You may have to loosen the mule adjustment nut to determine where its set up. With the belt loose you should be able to spin the mule pulley easily. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 7,215 #17 Posted May 29, 2020 One or both mule drive idler may be stuck. The PTO must be turning for it to get hot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnymag3 2,569 #18 Posted May 29, 2020 Does the mule drive turn easily?????? If not we are looking at another potential problem. Make sure you have the engagement lever off when you try to turn the mule drive pulleys. They should both turn with ease !!!! Check it out buddy !!!! You wont be a newbie here long !! Just give us the info we need, we will help you !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buckwheat 3 #19 Posted May 29, 2020 Thanks, I feel special. Will check it out tomorrow Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buckwheat 3 #20 Posted May 29, 2020 All the blades move. With motor off, I can turn the pulleys and blades pulling the belts clockwise, but will not move trying to turn counterclockwise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buckwheat 3 #21 Posted May 29, 2020 The knob in the front of machine attached to 2 pulleys does not turn. Will work on it tomorrow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kasey54 305 #22 Posted May 29, 2020 I could be wrong, but I think that knob turns to the right(CLOCKWISE) to loosen the belt. Maybe some one here could confirm? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
troutbum70 858 #23 Posted May 29, 2020 Yes turn to the right to lose belt tension. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buckwheat 3 #24 Posted May 29, 2020 Checked front 2 pulleys, the double on with flat surface seems to be turning okay, the other with V surface, turns some but not all around. Have not been able to budge the knob belt tension assembly yet. Will try a bigger tool. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,824 #25 Posted May 29, 2020 1 hour ago, Buckwheat said: Checked front 2 pulleys, the double on with flat surface seems to be turning okay, the other with V surface, turns some but not all around. Have not been able to budge the knob belt tension assembly yet. Will try a bigger tool. That "bigger tool" will break the plastic knob, use penetrating oil inside where the threads are. Sounds like you have a pulley that is spent, but you aren't adjusting it with the knob bound up. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
