Hey folks. I've got an JD LX5 cutter with a slip clutch. It started making a high pitched squealing noise whenever I would hit anything, like a sapling or thick grass. This would continue for about 30 seconds and then stop. It seemed to stop sooner if I disengaged the PTO, but it would continue for a little bit even with the PTO disengaged. (Could the clutch slip when the whole thing is coasting??) I could then mow for a few more minutes, but again, if I hit resistance it would start again. I checked the slip clutch and couldn't smell anything and it wasn't hot. It would slip some when I engaged the PTO with the engine going around 1500 rpm. My book says to tighten the bolts to a 4mm gap between the bell spring and the clutch plate, which is where mine was. I was worried that it might be slipping too easily (maybe the clutch is worn out?) so I tightened the bolts on the bell spring 1/2 turn each. This had little or no effect, and I verified that the clutch would still slip. I mowed a bit more, then it started squealing constantly. I tightened the bell spring to about 1-1.5mm and it didn't change. I greased the U-joint in front of the slip clutch also with no effect. I can't tell if the clutch is slipping while it is running, so I don't know if this squealing is the clutch or not. The gear box has oil in it, no water, and it is only warm.
Advice??
Advice??