Problems with the "Freedom 42" mulching deck

[jmhines]

Problems with the \"Freedom 42\" mulching deck

I have all of 5 hours on my LT160 with the Freedom 42 deck. In thos 5 hours, I have had nothing but trouble. 2 timing belts and 2 new sets of blades.... It will run great for a short period and then, WHAM, the blades start hitting each other , lock up and strip the timing belt. ANY suggestions are welcome.

 

[fgross335_2210]

Re: Problems with the \"Freedom 42\" mulching deck

If the belt is jumping you either have a mis-aligned pulley or too little tension on the belt. More importantlly, at 5 hours the tractor/mower is almost brand new. I would be pushing the dealer to fix it, or replace the entire deck if needed.

 

[joecdeere]

Re: Problems with the \"Freedom 42\" mulching deck

Who is putting the belts back on? You or dealer?

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Re: Problems with the \"Freedom 42\" mulching deck

I think the belt is installed incorrectly or something is badly bent. There are specific torque requirements for the tensioning system, so many turns or some such on the spring bolt and a specific torque requirement on another bolt.

Also if you put the blades on the wrong side (there is a right blade and a left blade) they can loosen by themselves and cause the problem you are seeing.

I've been running the exact same setup for 8 years and never had that happen. I did replace the belt once as preventative maintence. I hope you get it going correctly. The freedom deck is the greatest thing since sliced grass.

Cliff