345 High Pitched Whine Normal?

[MarkCoburn]

Just looked at a 1999 345 with about 350 hours.

The biggest worry was a high pitched whine while at full idle. PTO disengaged and tractor parked. Is that normal? Sounds like it could be hydrolic or water pump. Maybe a main bearing. Don't know. Maybe normal.

Any thoughts?

 

[beenthere]

Does the pitch vary with rpm of engine?
Does it vary when the tranny is in forward or reverse (i.e. out of park) ??

Answers to those might separate it from engine or hydraulic.

 

[MarkCoburn]

I didn't think to vary the tyranny because I noticed it parked. Figured that eliminated the trany. Is there one pump that provides pressure for steering, deck lift, and drive?

Does the pitch vary with rpm of engine?
Does it vary when the tranny is in forward or reverse (i.e. out of park) ??

Answers to those might separate it from engine or hydraulic.

 

[beenthere]

There is just one pump in the transaxle.

 

[shortthrow50]

There is just one pump in the transaxle.

with that being said, where is the whine coming from, the front or the back of the tractor? At idle, the transmission wont produce any whine. Only when you step on the pedal should the transmission whine on the 345 and that is normal

 

[MarkCoburn]

Because of all the help. I bought the tractor.

Here is what I found when I went back to 'look' at the sound again.

Does the noise stop when the PTO is engaged?
No. Had to disengage the mower belt to really tell.

Check 3 pulleys on the drive belt:
Took off the deck and it sounds like the noise is coming from ether the main drive or the PTO pulley from that main shaft anyway.

Does the sound vary with transmission speed or direction?
No

Sound coming from front or rear?
Front

I put my bet on it being one of those pulley bearings, figured it couldn't be a big issue to fix, and bought the tractor.

Thanks everyone.

 

[beenthere]

Here is a shot of the pulley's that make up the main drive. And can check to see if something is/isn't caught in the fan. Plenty of things turning that might cause some noise.
Thinking you will enjoy the 345.

 

[MarkCoburn]

Here is a shot of the pulley's that make up the main drive. And can check to see if something is/isn't caught in the fan. Plenty of things turning that might cause some noise.
Thinking you will enjoy the 345.

Thanks. Could you also attach the parts list?

 

[TimS]

Chances are the high-pitched whine is coming from the transaxle. Check the hydro fluid level - in fact, it's not a bad idea to replace it and the filter, unless you know the previous owner did it recently.

Tim

 

[sklunk]

Also check the PTO clutch (#24 in the diagram). Even when the PTO is not engaged the motor shaft spins inside it all the time and it has internal bearings that can wear out. Usually when those bearings are worn the clutch will whine when it is NOT engaged, then when you engage it the noise quiets down (I know that seems strange but it's because of how the bearings work under load) but that is not always the case.

P.S. -- Check the serial number of your 345 and google "Kawasaki plastic camshaft gear". If yours is a 1999 model I think you are okay but better check anyway. It's much cheaper to replace it before it breaks (if it even has the plastic gear).

They're great tractors -- you'll love it!