I have a problem with my 455 Deere mower.

[John Deere 55]

About ten days ago I was mowing my yard when my Deere died. I saw that the battery had shifted. I put if back in place and closed the front, but when it started it made a whirring noise that shouldn't be there. So right now the front stays open. Anyone know the problem?

 

[beenthere]

Is the battery in contact with the engine flywheel to make the whirring noise?
There should be a hold-down clamp on the battery (I use a bungie cord to hold mine down).

I don't understand why the Deere died because the battery shifted. Was a cable loose or corroded ??

 

[John Deere 55]

No. The tractor shook so badly that the battery came unhooked.

 

[beenthere]

Then I'm not sure what the problem is?

 

[caseyvand]

I think I'd consider taking the mower deck off and start up the tractor and see if the noise is still there.

 

[John Deere 55]

I'll take the deck off and see if it stops. If that is the problem, the how do I fix it?

 

[BleedingOrange]

I,ve got the same tractor. And I,m very familiar with how it works.
Is there something rubbing on the flywheel behind the battery ?
You say it shook so bad that it unhooked the battery ? I cann,t imagine how that would be possible, if both the battery cables were tight on the posts. Did the battery fall out of the battery box ? Please let us know what you find.

 

[Thram]

The mower died most likely because you shorted out the battery to the frame.

Does leaving the lid open a bit stop the sound? Then it's not the deck, but something up top, like a fan. When it's running slowly push the lid down until it starts making the sound. You should be able to isolate it's location. And look for damage from when the battery shifted.

By the way, if it shakes so much at WOT that the battery is jumping around, you've got bigger problems than a whirring sound.

 

[John Deere 55]

Ok guys I took a day off and took the Deere apart and you'll never guess what I found- a freakin nest of some sort, maybe a squirrel. It was fine until the battery shifted and it fell and thats why it made the whirring noise. I think I'll go by some ammo for my gun... No more squirrels!

 

[beenthere]

Truly puzzling, in several ways.