Hey guy, got my lawn tractor out yesterday and getting ready to service it and use it for the summer. I found out that when tractor is idling that i have a high pitch scream or squal going on that changed pitch with RPM. It goes away when i put pressure on the brake pedal but beyond that its always there.
Is this something normal ive just not paid attention to before? Do i need to check fluid in the trans? Have a bearing/pulley going bad?
Hard to locate exactly where the noise is coming from so i figured asking here might help.
It's time to replace your PTO clutch assembly, bearings are making the noise. Shop around for best price for new OEM 2002 JD PTO clutch assembly using part number.
Do you have an electric PTO switch on dash to engage blades or lever to engage blades? If lever is used to engage blades, inspect all belts & idler pulleys for replacement, bearings do wear out & make noise.
Best way to check idler pulleys is to remove them, hold pulley in one hand & spin center bearing with index finger, bearings should spin smoothly, no drag, sloppy play, roughness, or noise. Keep all parts together, right & left sides seperated, organized.
Clutch is combined with the brake.
Remove the deck
Put the brake on slip under the mower and look at the drive belt.
It should be slack and that is what we all clutching on lanmowers.
One of the elements is jambing or worn out
I do know the drive and deck belts do need to be replaced as their starting to crack.
What exactly would i be looking for on the pulleys etc. that would cause noise.
#9
Glyn Robinson
use this method.
Best way to check idler pulleys is to remove them, hold pulley in one hand & spin center bearing with index finger, bearings should spin smoothly, no drag, sloppy play, roughness, or noise. Keep all parts together, right & left sides seperated, organized.
Well it is a bit of a no brainer in that case as you need to pull off a few pulleys to change the belts.
Bearings are enclosed in most pulleys so you need to replace the whole pulley when the bearings are gone.
I find it easier to drain the fuel, remove the battery and deck then stand the mower upright on it's bum so everything is there in front of your face and you don't spend 3/4 of your time clearing dirt & debris off you face & out of your eyes.
#11
BlazNT
I always diagnose it by putting oil or spray lithium grease on one idler pulley at a time till the noise goes down or away then I know what one it is.
Go to jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/servlet/com.deere.u90490.partscatalog.view.servlets.HomePageServlet_Alt
Type LT160 in the search box.
Then click on the folder to expand it and then on setional index.
You can then download and print out the various bits you need and get the part numbers at the same time.
Note there are 3 pulleys in your drive train.
The 2 on the moving plate ( clutch ) tend to fall apart.
The smaller front one gets clogged and jambs.
With most of JD pulleys you will need to undo the pulley to get the belt past the keeper so you are 1/2 way to replacing pulleys by doing the belt.
The nuts have coach heads so you just need to pop yor finger under the heads to keep them in the square hole to undo them.
