42" deck - left blade not cutting

[forgeblast]

As far as spindles, dont cheap out and get the cast aluminum ones they do not last long, the spindle assembly is one place to go with a oem part. I have two of the aluminum ones that cracked at the bolt holes (from hitting a rock).

 

[Yellowfever440]

The factory spindles from Deere are cast aluminum

 

[forgeblast]

Sorry on my mower deck the ones that work best are the first link,
John Deere Mower Deck Spindles 3 Of AM124512 46" STX46 | eBay
are the good ones, I dont think these are cast aluminum,
the cast ones that I have had look like this, and they failed but they are oem, (but they are not the oem for the 42c).
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I just remembered one more thing that may cause uneaven cutting, tire pressure if one is off it will give you some strange cutts too.

 

[79lilred]

again, I much appreciate all the suggestions.
We bought the mower April 2002 (just found the folder with the paperwork).
The quill assemblies I have replaced over the years have all come from Deere. I admit that I had sticker shock at the price of a new belt from Deere, so got a cheaper one off ebay.
Have not thought about the tension on the belt when engaged - will look at that. One thing I did do last fall was unhook the belt and gave each blade a good spin by hand to see if the left one would stop quicker than the right, indicating it had more internal drag. Both would continue to spin about same, so figured the quill assy was not the problem this time.

 

[Yellowfever440]

When you check your blades you do clean the old grass out of the deck right? I am assuming you do, just a question

 

[79lilred]

ahhhh, well, hmmmmmmm ....... can't remember last time I actually cleaned the old grass from the underside of the deck.

 

[Yellowfever440]

Well if you don't clean the grass out it can actually build up enough that is wears the blades out and the air flow can't create a vacuum to move the old grass out. Everyone should clean their the bottom side out atleast once a year and more if you mulch or now a lot of wet grass.