Deck shakes and cuts off when trying to engage

[hunter19707]

When I set the air gap on the clutch to within specs, the pulley does not want to turn easily. In fact, it requires quite a bit of effort to turn. When I back the gap out from .012(within specs) to .025 or greater, it begins to turn freely without resistance. I wonder if the clutch plate is worn down and I need to replace the clutch.

 

[aczlan]

When I set the air gap on the clutch to within specs, the pulley does not want to turn easily. In fact, it requires quite a bit of effort to turn. When I back the gap out from .012(within specs) to .025 or greater, it begins to turn freely without resistance. I wonder if the clutch plate is worn down and I need to replace the clutch.

Worn or warped would be my guess.

Aaron Z

 

[fixit]

Can you turn the blades in the deck by hand as my money is on a deck bearing picking up

If it was me i would remove the belts and spin the blades and have a listen and feel

I cant see why the clutch would cause the engine to bog and stall it sounds to me like there is something going tight the vibration is more than likely the belts grabbing at a tight pulley spindle

 

[hunter19707]

Can you turn the blades in the deck by hand as my money is on a deck bearing picking up

If it was me i would remove the belts and spin the blades and have a listen and feel

I cant see why the clutch would cause the engine to bog and stall it sounds to me like there is something going tight the vibration is more than likely the belts grabbing at a tight pulley spindle

Yeah, I'm gonna try replacing all the bearings on the spindles next. I ordered new bearings, they should be here in the next day or two. If that doesn't work, I'll be looking towards a new clutch. Thanks, I'll keep everyone posted.

 

[scoops]

Maybe you have a malfuntioning safety switch causing this.

 

[hunter19707]

Maybe you have a malfuntioning safety switch causing this.

I thought about that, I cleaned and put electrical grease on the connections. They appear to be fine with no corrosion, melted or broken wires.

 

[hunter19707]

Update: I replaced all 6 cone bearings, two bearing races that were a little worn, and one slighty damaged seal. I cleaned the entire spindle assy. and pregreased all the bearings before install. The problem still exists. I may take scoops advice and replace a couple safety switches. Which ones? Maybe the parking brake and the pto? If this doesn't work, I'm replacing the clutch. Anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[Chooglin]

I would remove the drive belt from the pto to the deck, engage the pto switch and see what happens.If it remains running,the problem is elsewhere.
Those elec. pto assemblies are "NOT" cheap,$525.00 for the one on my 14 hp BS. (I am on my third one, in 18 yrs.)

 

[tnjind]

Your belt doesn't have a chunk out of it does it?

 

[hunter19707]

I would remove the drive belt from the pto to the deck, engage the pto switch and see what happens.If it remains running,the problem is elsewhere.
Those elec. pto assemblies are "NOT" cheap,$525.00 for the one on my 14 hp BS. (I am on my third one, in 18 yrs.)

If I remove the belt and engage the pto and the motor still runs, I would be led to believe the electric clutch is the culprit since it's not under load. If it cuts off, I would think a bad switch. Correct?