1529 Cub Cadet deck problems

[sledstew]

Hello,

I am working on a 1529 Cub cadet and when you try and engage the deck it shakes violently. I let the mower warm up and the deck will barely engage and it almost kills the motor,below is a list of what I've done and checked.

1) Replaced Electric pto
2) inspected belts, they are ok
3) balanced the blades
4) checked the spindles and idler for bad bearings
5) checked that the idler was free

Any other suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks

 

[rcbe]

Appears tjhat you've eliminated typical deck problems... Might check that Kawi v-twin engine for firing probs on one or both cylinders - may even need new plugs - as your descr indicates the engine quickly bogs down under load..
another possibility is one of the safety switches acting up ..

 

[sledstew]

Can someone explain why the safety switch would cause this, is it because it pulls power from the electric PTO??

 

[diesel_nut]

Bad fuel?
These things are notorious for not liking anything but FRESH fuel.

 

[savageactor7]

hummm almost sounds like a seized bearing...or some kind of obstruction under the deck. So I still suspect it's #4.

sledstew with the deck off and propped up could you freely turn the mowing blades? If not the one of the bearings in the blade pulleys are shot.

Sounds like you took the top cover off to inspect the idler, did the grab each pulley and try and rattle it? they should be solid with no side to side movement. Do that on both sides cause pulleys have been know to come loose...yeah it's rare cause rotting grass cause the bolts to rust in.

Seeing as you just got the mower and have no history with it... that's what I think the problem is. Easy fix.