How to Tell when Deck Spindle is Going Bad?

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EHShaffer3

Forum Newbie
Hi Fellow Mowers,

I have a new Gravely ZT XL 42. Purchased on Memorial Day 2026, 25 hours on the clock. Model 918012, Serial # 135115.

I recently added the mulch kit to mulch leaves as my property has a lot of trees. Long story short, I dropped the deck so I could clean it up and install the mulch kit. Installing it was no problem but i noticed one of the deck spindles makes a grating/grinding sound when spun by hand. My question is this an indication that the spindle is going bad? I'm guessing the dealer will replace under warranty.

Thanks in Advance!
EHShaffer3
 
EHShaffer3 said:
Hi Fellow Mowers,

I have a new Gravely ZT XL 42. Purchased on Memorial Day 2026, 25 hours on the clock. Model 918012, Serial # 135115.

I recently added the mulch kit to mulch leaves as my property has a lot of trees. Long story short, I dropped the deck so I could clean it up and install the mulch kit. Installing it was no problem but i noticed one of the deck spindles makes a grating/grinding sound when spun by hand. My question is this an indication that the spindle is going bad? I'm guessing the dealer will replace under warranty.

Thanks in Advance!
EHShaffer3
Click to expand...
Sounds like it.
 
Rivets said:
Definitely would have the dealer check it out ASAP, as if could be a bad bearing.
Click to expand...
With belt removed from spindle or pulley, spin it. Does it sound rough, or keep spinning longer than it should? Grab the pulley or spindle pulley and rock it back and forth with your hands. Does it have play, or feel nice and tight? On spindle you can also grab the blade and check for play in bearings.
 
Tiger Small Engine said:
With belt removed from spindle or pulley, spin it. Does it sound rough, or keep spinning longer than it should? Grab the pulley or spindle pulley and rock it back and forth with your hands. Does it have play, or feel nice and tight? On spindle you can also grab the blade and check for play in bearings.
Click to expand...
With the belt removed and spun by hand it sounds rough but spins about the same as the other two that run silent. With belt engaged and mower on and PTO on I don't hear anything unusual. I runs and cuts fine.
 
Rough sounding while spinning IS a sign of degraded bearings. Now is the time to address this. If you don't, eventually the bearings will wear to the point of the shaft wobbling, then the bearings will lock up. I recommend greasing your spindles, even on a new machine. People will tell you that greasing is useless because the bearings are sealed.See this video.
 
If you feel it is rough when spinning by hand, go to dealer now. Be proactive and do not wait. Let them grease it if that’s what it needs. You will also have a record if something happens down the line. That’s why you have a warranty.
 
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