quick help craftsman tractor PTO engaging loud squealing

v8only · Jun 18, 2013

So i sold off my YS4500 Craftsman tractor to a friend and she hit a 2x4 continued to mow the lawn with no issues. This week after she engages the PTO to start the blades and VERY high pitch consistent squealing is happening, continues to cut but at an ear piercing tone.

Any ideas on where to start looking?

Thanks.

Baby Grand · Jun 18, 2013

v8only said:
So i sold off my YS4500 Craftsman tractor to a friend and she hit a 2x4 continued to mow the lawn with no issues. This week after she engages the PTO to start the blades and VERY high pitch consistent squealing is happening, continues to cut but at an ear piercing tone.

Any ideas on where to start looking?

Thanks.

With engine OFF and PTO Disengaged:
See if the spindles spin freely - 2x4 may have caused bearing damage/binding.
Check belt tension - may be too loose.
Check for a chunk of 2x4 wedged between blade & deck or between pulley & deck.

murphy1244 · Jun 18, 2013

start at the mower

crazyal · Jun 19, 2013

I have an older Craftsman and the deck has aluminum holders for the spindles. They break pretty easily and throw the pulleys out of alignment. Plus there's usually metal guards to keep the belt from jumping off of the pulley. One of them could be rubbing. Finally there could be a break to stop the blades when the pto is disengaged. One of them could be rubbing.

v8only · Jun 19, 2013

wow i pulled off the mower deck and it was full of grass clipping, turned the spindles and found that it was the right side spindle it would barely move and i assumed seized or a damaged bearing. We proceeded to clean the deck and ensure all the clippings were out so i could start to disassemble, i then noticed the blade that was binding was now moving freely and the noise disappeared.

Turns out it was so jamb packed with clipping the pulley would not turn.