John Deere X304 noise at driveshaft/clutch area only when PTO not engaged?

[Blackgreyhounds]

Mine's really noisy when the mower deck isn't on. I usually engage the PTO to stop the noise. But I don't know if it's a bearing or just the metal plate making light contact with the magnet.

Interesting. Mine had been getting slowly worse for a while now and it was finally to the point of being ear piercing. Once I took it off and spun it, I could feel how ratty it was. It made it for 13 years and like 400 hours of very hard work, so it was time.

 

[Blackgreyhounds]

I finished replacing the drive belt, both idler pulleys and clutch. All better now. Thanks everyone for your help.