2544 won't mow in the middle

[Captain Ned]

Finally pulled the deck (again). The spindle bolt head is 1 1/8" as well. Since Lowe's didn't have a 1 1/8" open-end, I yanked the pulley covers and went at it with two breaker bars and sockets. After liberal application of PB Blaster and some relaxation with adult beverages, they finally broke loose and on went the high-lifts. Hopefully, tightening them to the manual spec will mean I won't have to do the two-wrench thing in the future.

 

[savageactor7]

It's a good idea to always use never-seize on those threads as well...and just about all the other threads on the tractor as well.

 

[OldMachinist]

Hopefully, tightening them to the manual spec will mean I won't have to do the two-wrench thing in the future.

You'll likely have to use some kind of a wrench to hold the spindle every time you take the blades off. I know I do and yes anti-sieze is a must.

 

[jcomp]

fyi- mine was not mowing in the middle either. It ended up being a combination between bent blade and deck was too nose down causing it to ride on wheels instead of floating.

 

[philipb]

Finally pulled the deck (again). The spindle bolt head is 1 1/8" as well. Since Lowe's didn't have a 1 1/8" open-end, I yanked the pulley covers and went at it with two breaker bars and sockets. After liberal application of PB Blaster and some relaxation with adult beverages, they finally broke loose and on went the high-lifts. Hopefully, tightening them to the manual spec will mean I won't have to do the two-wrench thing in the future.

I've done this operation twice. I use a 1/2" drive 1-1/8" socket with a long handle slipped into a cheater pipe and a box end 1-1/8" that is pretty stout. Anit-seize does help, but the nuts have to be tight. I would sure hate to have keys and keyways that get boogered up on this machine. The enforced "press fit" is probably pretty well calculated. The blades have never come loose, thank goodness.

Don't you just love pulling the deck? I swear you buy a GT "by the pound".

 

[dillio67]

my 2544 doesnt mow in the middle either,Ive leveled the deck ten different ways,high lift blades,worst mowing deck I have ever owned.
I also tried moving the rollers every way imaginable...out of ideas other than trying to increase blade speed.
Tired of mowing my lawn twice.My old cub mowed waaaay better,thats why I bought a new cub.