Blades very slow to engage

peapicker

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I have a Raptor SD with 29 hours on the clock. Today used the mower and when I pulled the knob to engage the blades, nothing happened for 3-4 seconds. Then the blades slowly engaged. I finished in about 40 minutes and parked the mower. I tried again with the same result. Is there something obvious I should look for? Thanks
 

ukrkoz

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Were you at the right RPMs? Manual is very particular about engaging and dis engaging only at the proper RPMs or clutch may get damaged.
Is clutch clean? No dirt, debris?
Otherwise, you have only 29 hrs on a 3 yr warranty machine. Call dealer.
 

peapicker

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I engage blades as I always have, full throttle and disengage at low rpm. Clutch and pulleys are clean. (I blow off machine after each use) I don’t mow wet or damp grass. I hear relay click when key is on and I pull up on knob. There seems to be a lot of slack in the belt. I’m going to check operation of tension idler spring tomorrow. It’s under warranty, but I’m not too impressed with my dealer. If it’s a simple fix, I’d rather do it myself.
 

Alden

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Where is it written to engage clutch at full throttle am I missing something.
 

clubairth

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I thought my Raptor manual said engage blades at 1/2 throttle?
.
.
.
 

peapicker

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You’re right. I misspoke. Full throttle is for running the POS off a cliff.
 

rick kinney

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I have a Raptor SD with 29 hours on the clock. Today used the mower and when I pulled the knob to engage the blades, nothing happened for 3-4 seconds. Then the blades slowly engaged. I finished in about 40 minutes and parked the mower. I tried again with the same result. Is there something obvious I should look for? Thanks

" DO NOT ENGAGE THE BLADES AT FULL POWER, THIS IS TO HARD ON THE BELT " THE BELTS ARE NOT CHEAP EITHER. ENGAGE AT SLOW SPEED THEN TURN IT UP. THIS WILL ALSO SAVE THE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE PLASTIC PULLY. YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY MESSED-UP ONE OF THE PULLIES. TAKE THE BELT OFF AND CHECK TO MAKE SURE THEY SPIN FREELY.
 

peapicker

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" DO NOT ENGAGE THE BLADES AT FULL POWER, THIS IS TO HARD ON THE BELT " THE BELTS ARE NOT CHEAP EITHER. ENGAGE AT SLOW SPEED THEN TURN IT UP. THIS WILL ALSO SAVE THE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE PLASTIC PULLY. YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY MESSED-UP ONE OF THE PULLIES. TAKE THE BELT OFF AND CHECK TO MAKE SURE THEY SPIN FREELY.

No plastic pulleys, but the tension idler had questionable bearings, so I replaced the pulley, slides and tension spring. Now it hums like a Gravely. Thanks!
 

Mr. Mower

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Where is it written to engage clutch at full throttle am I missing something.


The Operators Manual for my Hustler Raptor Flip Up states the following, starting on page 3-9:

Set the throttle at full rpm for maximum performance. This
gives maximum power to the drive wheels and deck when
needed. The throttle setting directly controls blade speed.
Use the control levers to control ground speed rather than
engine rpm.


Then continues on to page 3-10:

Deck Clutch Operation

Before beginning operation, check to make sure the deck
clutch switch is engaging and disengaging the blades properly.

To check the deck clutch switch:

1. Start the engine and engage the deck clutch.

2. With the deck clutch switch up (clutch engaged) and
the engine running, listen to confirm that the mower
blades are rotating.

3. Now, push the deck clutch switch down (clutch disengaged),
and with the engine running, listen to confirm
that the blades have stopped rotating.

4. If the mower blades continue to rotate with the deck
clutch switch down, discontinue operation immediately
and contact your Hustler® Dealer.

Follow these procedures to maximize clutch life.

1. Engage the clutch only when the throttle is set at
approximately 2/3 throttle and there is no load on the
blades. After clutch engagement, advance the engine
throttle to full rpm.

Engaging the deck clutch at high engine rpm or when
under heavy load (in tall grass, for example) can cause
belts and/or electric clutch to slip, resulting in premature
wear or possible damage.

2. Disengage the clutch only when the throttle is set at
less than 1/2 throttle.
Never disengage the clutch with the engine running at
high rpm. Setting the throttle to less than 1/2 throttle
when disengaging the clutch will help extend clutch life.

Warranty will not be allowed for deck clutches that fail due
to improper engagement and disengagement practices.
 
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