Mower deck problems

cubby102 · #1 06-18-2015, 04:51 AM

Ok guys the 102 that I most recently picked up is giving me fits. When I first brought it home I got it running engaged the pto to make sure all was well and it was. The deck was quiet and cut straight I thought cool so I greased the spindles because it had sat unused for quite a long time tested it again and was even quieter. Cool. So I took it over and parked it untill I could get around to fixing the basket pully exhaust and the carb. Fast forward about a month I put a new pully on. Fixed the exhaust and rebuilt/cleaned the carb. Runs sweet now with plenty of power. Now here's the problem. While removing the pto belt I noticed it was very hard to turn so I reached under the deck and sure enough the spindles are very* hard to spin. Is it possible that the grease I use interacted with whatever it was the PO used ?

Berwil · #2 06-18-2015, 11:38 AM

I don't think there was a bad grease interaction. If it's been sitting that long, more than likely the old stuff is gummed up making it tight and the new grease never made it fully into the bearing. If they spin smooth and quiet, probably just need to disassemble, clean, and reassemble.

When you spun the spindles by hand, was the deck belt on spinning all of them at once? I'm not familiar with that style deck, I assume there is a tensioning pulley on the deck? Perhaps the tensioner pulley bearing is tight giving the impression the spindles are too tight?

Bill

cubby102 · #3 06-18-2015, 02:34 PM

All belts have been removed as I'm getting it ready to put to work and they were worenout. All three are now tight as all get out. When before I parked it for this month they spun nice and easy

Jeff in Pa · #4 06-18-2015, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cubby102

All belts have been removed as I'm getting it ready to put to work and they were worenout. All three are now tight as all get out. When before I parked it for this month they spun nice and easy

Regardless it sounds like it should be disassembled. Only then can you decide whether repacking or replacing will fix it.

Ozcub · #5 06-19-2015, 12:28 AM

Clay based and Lithium based greases do not mix i.e. they turn one another to useless oily mess
Could that be a part of your problem ?
Oz

cubby102 · #6 06-19-2015, 12:35 AM

I plan to disassemble this weekend. Just was curious cuz it seemed to work fine before the greasing but afterwards not at all. Just kinda threw me for a loop. I have brand new bearings and seals that will fit it. I just was curious if anyone had a similar issue

ol'George · #7 06-19-2015, 08:57 AM

I'm thinking if you have the newer style bearings with separate seals,
it is possible the grease pushed the seals out causing the problem.
In that event, be sure to install the top seal with lip facing outward, to allow excessive grease to push by, and not forcing the seal from it's bore in the housing.

olds45512 · #8 06-19-2015, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cubby102

I plan to disassemble this weekend. Just was curious cuz it seemed to work fine before the greasing but afterwards not at all. Just kinda threw me for a loop. I have brand new bearings and seals that will fit it. I just was curious if anyone had a similar issue

When you pull it apart make sure you keep track of where the spacers go so they co back in it the correct place. I'd clean the old bearings up and see what condition there in, there's no benefit to replacing the bearings if they in good shape also you can reuse the seals if your gentle getting them out.

cubby102 · #9 06-19-2015, 04:59 PM

Yea I had all belts off. All three are tight. I don't plan on replacing them if they are ok