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This machine is going to kill me. It breaks down every time I start it. I can usually figure out what it needs, but this time I'm confused. Turf Tiger with 29 hp Kawasaki engine, but now, the mowing deck locks up when you pull the PTO switch out to engage. Smoke pours out of the rear of the machine, telling me the belt that drives the clutch is burning. I checked the clutch, and I think it is alright. I then disengaged the clutch belt in the rear and the drive belt on the deck. To my way of thinking, the drive shaft should turn freely now, but it does not. It would not turn with a pipe wrench on it. Am I missing something, or is my problem in one of the transfer units on either side of the drive shaft?
Geez....confused in Venice Florida Many thanks in advance for anybody that can get me on the right side of this issue.
Randy-Ellis

Randy-ellis said:

This machine is going to kill me. It breaks down every time I start it. I can usually figure out what it needs, but this time I'm confused. Turf Tiger with 29 hp Kawasaki engine, but now, the mowing deck locks up when you pull the PTO switch out to engage. Smoke pours out of the rear of the machine, telling me the belt that drives the clutch is burning. I checked the clutch, and I think it is alright. I then disengaged the clutch belt in the rear and the drive belt on the deck. To my way of thinking, the drive shaft should turn freely now, but it does not. It would not turn with a pipe wrench on it. Am I missing something, or is my problem in one of the transfer units on either side of the drive shaft?
Geez....confused in Venice Florida Many thanks in advance for anybody that can get me on the right side of this issue.
Randy-Ellis

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If the drive shaft will not turn, it is a good probability the gear box is locked up. First release tension on PTO deck belt and make sure all spindles and pulleys move freely. Have you been periodically checking the gear box oil by removing the fill plug? Did you know you had a gear box with a Scag that has the drive shaft set up? I burned up a gear box years ago when I wasn’t aware of it on my Scag.

There is also a drive shaft (PTO) spindle that should be grease where you are greasing the deck along with the two u-joints (may be sealed units). Scag doesn't list the u-joints as a separate item and I have never look into replacing them.

Now the spindles bearings are L44649/L44610 Bearing and cone sets or Scag 481022 if you wish to pay their ridiculous price. Usually on heavy used deck spindle can be hard to get them apart due thread damage but the PTO spindle should come apart fairly easy. Also there is two grease seals that need replacing when you rebuild the spindle. Both of these seals are available from your Rotary dealer.

StarTech said:

There is also a drive shaft (PTO) spindle that should be grease where you are greasing the deck along with the two u-joints (may be sealed units). Scag doesn't list the u-joints as a separate item and I have never look into replacing them.

Now the spindles bearings are L44649/L44610 Bearing and cone sets or Scag 481022 if you wish to pay their ridiculous price. Usually on heavy used deck spindle can be hard to get them apart due thread damage but the PTO spindle should come apart fairly easy. Also there is two grease seals that need replacing when you rebuild the spindle. Both of these seals are available from your Rotary dealer.

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I want to thank you so much for the information. Everything you told me is news to me. I should have replied to you sooner, but we were ground zero for Hurricane Milton, and our little farm just got smacked badly. I don't know much about this Scag....I purchased this machine used, and am much more knowledgeable about the smaller mowers. I've been using the 50 inch Cub Cadets for twenty years, and before that the 48 inch Craftsman's. Spindles on the Scag mowing deck all spin freely, so my problem is probably the gear box. It will have to wait until we get the property cleaned up and some building and fence repairs done. I also have to find a way to get under this very heavy machine. I'll get back on it in a month or so, and I'll let you know how the gearbox is....Again, many Thanks
Randy

Randy
you have the best machine on the market, they will last a lifetime and will still be good for the next fellow, I have three of them and three Turf Tigers (2-61" and 1 72" cut, and 2" (48") models, they are trouble free, do the Maintenace, you need to get a Operators manual or take the time to look over the machine take your time, all moving parts need oil or grease, the deck bearings are tapered bearings they need to be greased on a regular basis, I grease mine about ever 10 hours, might be to often but grease is less expensive than the bearings or complete housing, the zert of on the side of the spindle facing the deck on the left side, top of the deck there is a relief check ball on the right, when you grease watch the relief ball on the right soon as you see grease coming out stop, this is designed to not blow the seals out, it is the same set up on the PTO (Power Take Off) that turns the drive shaft, again, go over the machine, remember if it moves oil of grease, oblivious not the belt.
if you cannot find an operator's manual, I can email you one, Joe