lawn mower blades stop spinning

[jd2130]

Hi,
I have a Craftsman YT3000 and I hit a log with it and then the blades started making a funny noise so I stopped the mower and had a look. The blades looked fine and all of the belts looked good. I was able to manually turn both of the blades using the cog that comes from the engine.
Then I started mowing again and while it sounded a little funny, it was mowing okay. Then the blades started to sputter and then they both stopped. This has now happened a few times where it will sluggishly mow and then the blades stop turning all together.
Anyone have an idea of what could be wrong? It seems like it could be that the log damaged a belt, but the belts look good.
Thank you

 

[Shaneard]

Does it have an electric clutch? If so it could be damaged internally.

 

[jd2130]

Does it have an electric clutch? If so it could be damaged internally.

How can you tell if the clutch is electric? It has a hydrostatic transmission.

 

[Shaneard]

How can you tell if the clutch is electric? It has a hydrostatic transmission.

Look on the end of the crankshaft where the belt connects that drives the blades. Does it have wires going to it?

An electric clutch is basically an electric magnet that is controlled by a switch.

 

[Deere Dude]

Hi,
I have a Craftsman YT3000 and I hit a log with it and then the blades started making a funny noise so I stopped the mower and had a look. The blades looked fine and all of the belts looked good. I was able to manually turn both of the blades using the cog that comes from the engine.
Then I started mowing again and while it sounded a little funny, it was mowing okay. Then the blades started to sputter and then they both stopped. This has now happened a few times where it will sluggishly mow and then the blades stop turning all together.
Anyone have an idea of what could be wrong? It seems like it could be that the log damaged a belt, but the belts look good.
Thank you

When mowing and both blades stopped is the engine and belt moving normally or does the belt slow way down? Does the belt have a lot of tension on it yet?

 

[Teachu2]

If there is a knob on the dash to activate the blades, it's an electric clutch. My JD L130 snapped the shaft in the clutch, still worked whenever the pieces lined up just right - until it wore enough that they just slid past each other. It was ~$250 to replace, IIRC.

 

[jd2130]

Look on the end of the crankshaft where the belt connects that drives the blades. Does it have wires going to it?

An electric clutch is basically an electric magnet that is controlled by a switch.

It doesn't look like there are wires going to it. There's a separate "attachment clutch" to engage the mower blades.

 

[jd2130]

When mowing and both blades stopped is the engine and belt moving normally or does the belt slow way down? Does the belt have a lot of tension on it yet?

It seems like the engine is moving normally when the blades stop. It also seems like there is good tension on the belt when I have the mowing clutch engaged.

 

[jd2130]

If there is a knob on the dash to activate the blades, it's an electric clutch. My JD L130 snapped the shaft in the clutch, still worked whenever the pieces lined up just right - until it wore enough that they just slid past each other. It was ~$250 to replace, IIRC.

That sounds like it could be my problem because the blades will run sometimes which must be when the pieces of the shaft are lined up? I really hope that's not it, though, because I can't spend $250 right now.

 

[jd2130]

Update: I just ran it a bit more and when the blades are "not running" I think they're just running very slow. Then when I push in the clutch and stop for a few seconds, the blades pick up speed. They'll maintain speed for a little while when I disengage the clutch and move, but then eventually slow way down again.

 

[Teachu2]

Your blade clutch is activated with a cable, according to a Google search. Cable is probably dry or frayed. See https://www.amazon.com/Mckin-Craftsman-532435111-DYS4500-Conduit/dp/B07MTHLFD9 if you need a new one.

 

[jd2130]

Your blade clutch is activated with a cable, according to a Google search. Cable is probably dry or frayed. See https://www.amazon.com/Mckin-Craftsman-532435111-DYS4500-Conduit/dp/B07MTHLFD9 if you need a new one.

Thank you but wouldn't this lead to more of a gradual decline in performance? Mine declined really fast after I hit the log. Either way, it's probably worth trying the cutch cable because it's not too expensive.

 

[4570Man]

That sounds like it could be my problem because the blades will run sometimes which must be when the pieces of the shaft are lined up? I really hope that's not it, though, because I can't spend $250 right now.

Mower junkyards are littered with mowers with clutches. Find the shaft diameter which is really the only important part and you’d probably be back to mowing for a fraction of that much. Edit I don’t think your mower has an electric clutch. You’ll have to track down what’s not moving that’s supposed to be. It’s likely either a slipping belt due to inadequate tension or a pulley that’s slipping on a shaft.

 

[jd2130]

You’ll have to track down what’s not moving that’s supposed to be. It’s likely either a slipping belt due to inadequate tension or a pulley that’s slipping on a shaft.

I think you're right. It's probably a pulley because the belt appears to be running the blades sometimes, but not others. Also, it would make sense that when I hit a log it could have damaged a pulley.
I'm really appreciating everyone's thoughtful insight on this board.

 

[Oaktree]

You’ll have to track down what’s not moving that’s supposed to be. It’s likely either a slipping belt due to inadequate tension or a pulley that’s slipping on a shaft.

Good advice. Also check that the blades are "locked" to the shafts and not free spinning. I say this thru experience...I hit a stump or something once with mind, and the "star" on the shaft rounded off so the blade would spin independently of the shaft.

 

[jd2130]

Good advice. Also check that the blades are "locked" to the shafts and not free spinning. I say this thru experience...I hit a stump or something once with mind, and the "star" on the shaft rounded off so the blade would spin independently of the shaft.

Good tip. I'll check that too.

 

[jd2130]

You’ll have to track down what’s not moving that’s supposed to be. It’s likely either a slipping belt due to inadequate tension or a pulley that’s slipping on a shaft.

Any tips for figuring out which pulley is causing the problem? I can't really look at the blades while they are running.

 

[WranglerX]

A little armstrong on blades (wear gloves) and holding belt with other hand will give some indication of what may be wrong... You have to get hands dirty and push, tug, hammer, conjol, and cuss to find issue.....Then come back and discuss fix....

Dale

 

[jd2130]

It appears that the blades are firmly attached and there is no obvious damage to any of the pulleys or belts. There is a small crack in the metal piece that goes around the blade. I think it's called the "spindle assembly". Could this little crack be causing my problem?

 

[4570Man]

Any tips for figuring out which pulley is causing the problem? I can't really look at the blades while they are running.

It’s probably the one that the drive belt hooks to on the deck. Next option would be the output pulley on the motor. It’ll probably be sloppy and have signs of heat buildup.