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321D Weird deck noise

#1

M

Maskedman

I love my Grasshopper and I have a 2003 321D that is the best mower I have ever had. Built like a tank with 537 hrs on the clock. It has developed a weird oscillating noise with the mower engaged. Sounds kind of like a blade is hitting a shroud in the round sheet metal surrounding one of the blades. I don't see anything and it comes and goes while the mower is running. About +/- 3 second intervals. All spindles and blades are tight. None of the idlers appear to be worn or loose. Has anybody ever seen anything like this, if so what was the cause?? Don't feel comfortable waiting until something breaks or falls off! Any help appreciated. TIA


#2

M

mechanic mark

I would remove deck for cleaning & inspection.


#3

M

MParr

What @mechanic mark said. ☝️
Oscillating? Something that’s spinning is making the noise. You are going to need the deck belt off and spin all of the pulleys and idlers. Check the play in the spindles.
Also, check your belt. There could be chunks of rubber missing from the belt.


#4

M

Maskedman

Chunks missing from the belt is not going to make a metallic sound like blades hitting a metal shroud. Anyway no chunks are missing from the belt. I already checked for spindle and idler play... I am telling you this is a weird abnormal noise....


#5

M

Maskedman

mechanic mark said:
I would remove deck for cleaning & inspection.
Click to expand...
This is a very broad statement. I don't need a general answer. I was looking for someone who had experienced the same kind of problem for a specific answer. Thanks


#6

Tiger Small Engine

Tiger Small Engine

Maskedman said:
Chunks missing from the belt is not going to make a metallic sound like blades hitting a metal shroud. Anyway no chunks are missing from the belt. I already checked for spindle and idler play... I am telling you this is a weird abnormal noise....
Click to expand...
Check to see if your blades are hitting under the deck.


#7

S

SeniorCitizen

I don' have a specific answer but if you still have the old blades reinstall those . If the noise stops we can be reasonable sure the noise has something to do with the new blades


#8

M

Maskedman

SeniorCitizen said:
I don' have a specific answer but if you still have the old blades reinstall those . If the noise stops we can be reasonable sure the noise has something to do with the new blades
Click to expand...
I never changed the blades but no they are not hitting.


#9

R

Rivets

You are going to have to remove the deck and give it a good inspection. There is no way to check for proper spindle condition with the deck mounted. I’m guessing a bad spindle bearing which shows itself during operation. Second, when you have the deck off you can really go through it to see if there is any metal to metal contact.


#10

S

SeniorCitizen

If there;s a bad bearing that bearing assembly be a warmer temperature than one with good bearings . Kill it and feel them after it runs awhile and the noise starts .


#11

M

MParr

Rivets said:
You are going to have to remove the deck and give it a good inspection. There is no way to check for proper spindle condition with the deck mounted. I’m guessing a bad spindle bearing which shows itself during operation. Second, when you have the deck off you can really go through it to see if there is any metal to metal contact.
Click to expand...
I think that we’ve given the best advice possible. It’s up to the OP to follow our advice or not.


#12

M

Maskedman

SeniorCitizen said:
If there;s a bad bearing that bearing assembly be a warmer temperature than one with good bearings . Kill it and feel them after it runs awhile and the noise starts .
Click to expand...
If there is a bad bearing you can hear it roar. That does not appear to be the problem.


#13

R

Rivets

What seems to be the problem of following the answers provided by the techs? They provide suggestions , you find a way to blow them off. Please tell me why, if you really want to solve this problem you are so against removing and giving the deck a good inspection? This is what experienced techs have to do all the time. You have never really checked the spindles, blades, pulleys, deck conditions anywhere, except in your brain. No one can give you a specific answer to your problem, because you have provided us with a stiff drink while listening to what you are hearing. If you must your answer, your way right now, I doubt you will get it here. Don’t wait to long, grass is growing.


#14

Tiger Small Engine

Tiger Small Engine

Rivets said:
What seems to be the problem of following the answers provided by the techs? They provide suggestions , you find a way to blow them off. Please tell me why, if you really want to solve this problem you are so against removing and giving the deck a good inspection? This is what experienced techs have to do all the time. You have never really checked the spindles, blades, pulleys, deck conditions anywhere, except in your brain. No one can give you a specific answer to your problem, because you have provided us with a stiff drink while listening to what you are hearing. If you must your answer, your way right now, I doubt you will get it here. Don’t wait to long, grass is growing.
Click to expand...

It is sometimes the nature of people to get solutions to problems, and then say, “yeah but.”
People are funny.
They will ask a question, you try to answer, then they keep talking. People are funny. They will bring in a mower, etc. and say “I am not sure why it is doing this.” You tell them what you think, and they start second guessing you. People are funny.


#15

M

Maskedman

Well here is an update for all you head scratchers... This ticking sound that was haunting me has just stopped all of the sudden. I was mowing one day and realized it was not making that noise anymore! That has been a few weeks, and a change of blades ago, and it thankfully has not returned. I remain mystified and must assume there was debris somewhere rubbing on something that became dislodged. I am happy and relieved that it is gone and hope it will not return.


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