JD 345 front clutched pulley

[Anonymous Poster]

Anyone have a problem with the front clutched pulley that drives the mower deck etc. on a John Deere 345 shear off? The bolt holding the pulley onto the driveshaft sheared off and getting the bolt out was a major project.

I was wondering if it is a design flaw or just wear and tear. I have 400 hours on the machine.

 

[kubmech]

I seem to recall a bulletin on that, the bolt was the wrong grade or too short or something like that. Any time you ordered a new clutch it always came with the new bolt. That may have been due to the new replacement clutch being different than the old one. If you want to be sure, order the bolt from JD.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks, after struggling with it with no success, the JD dealer picked it up and had a heck of a time getting the broken bolt out. After $200 it's back and I'm cutting grass that is now 8" high. They didn't have any explanation as to what would have caused it.