Cub Cadet SLT1554- How do I know if the PTO is going out?

[cdelwood]

This mowing season, I have noticed that if I hit any kind of thick patch of grass/weeds or mow over some good sized sticks, the blades will slow down. In the past the mower has been a real bull and mowed thru anything that got in its path. Its not the deck belt because I don't hear it slipping on the pulley's. The engine doesn't choke down, at least not that I can tell. That leaves the possibility that the PTO is failing. Is there a way to trouble shoot this? What should my next step be?

 

[tomplum]

Yes, the PTO clutch can be slipping, but I have seen too on this very deck that spindle bearings that are so rough when they are loaded that they create extra load.

 

[charlie g]

2 things that my own has happen is first, the deck design allows lots of grass to stick under it causing the clippings to block the flow out. remove the deck and clean it good before going on
second brought up above, the deck spindle bearing are bad. right from the factory they lack any grease inside the double sealed bearings. even with a grease fitting all that one dose is fill the void between the 2 sealed bearings, personally i've removed the bearings, carefully popped out the inner seal.hand packed them,"yes even on brand new ones are dry assembled" reinstall them in the housing with out the one seal facing in, fill with grease till it comes out the weep hole under the pulley. 1 tube of grease will fully fill 3 spindles,
i posted in another thread about MTD spindles to where i found cheap replacements at great prices, like $1.95 each for bearings,