Blade hitting deck?

[rondele]

Took tractor to shop to replace belts. 1st time cutting grass I noticed a high pitched screeching noise while cutting on a small hill, maybe 20% grade. Didn't pay much attention at first, was cutting fine on majority of lawn which is flat, but today while on hill saw sparks flying from underside of right side of deck simultaneous with noise.

Called shop but closed till Tuesday. Have been a customer many years, they have excellent reputation. In meantime anyone know what's could be going on? Thanks!

 

[beenthere]

Sounds like a blade on the spindle crooked.
But a quick check underneath, moving the blades by hand should provide an answer for you.
Look to see that the blade tips match the same height when rotating by hand.

Welcome to TBN

 

[Thomas]

As been there wrote also check spindle hasn't loosen.

 

[aczlan]

If they sharpened the blades, make sure they didn't put one of them back on upside down.

Aaron Z

 

[rondele]

Thanks guys, will put tractor on lift tomorrow and ck it out

 

[tomplum]

If you see sparks on the underside, then an inspection under the deck is in order. Mostly the housing itself is bent up front or the chute support below has torn away.

 

[aczlan]

If you see sparks on the underside, then an inspection under the deck is in order. Mostly the housing itself is bent up front or the chute support below has torn away.

I've also seen it where the baffle between the blades got bent into the path of one of the blades.

Aaron Z

 

[rondele]

Well, put it on lift, got flashlight, got under and looked over all of underside, rotated blades, no sign of contact anywhere. Blades tight on spindles, facing in right direction, rotated them fully, all nominal. Nothing loose.

Something about the tractor when it's on incline causing noise & sparks but exactly what is so far a mystery. Hopefully the shop will figure it out. Thanks again for all your input, much appreciated.

 

[rondele]

PS No sign of deck damage, no bulges etc

 

[Darryle]

Belt pulley alignment? One of the pulleys hitting a guard?

 

[Thomas]

Looking forward to update.

 

[tomplum]

'tis weird. Is the rod @ the front of the deck hooked in above the tab on the bracket?

 

[rondele]

Sorry guys, should have updated way before now. Anyway the shop told me the blades were hitting the deck hanger. Apparently when they had the tractor previously and dropped the deck to replace the belts, they didn't reattach it properly. Or so I'm guessing, they didn't say that but didn't charge me either. It's running OK now.