Removed the deck to find the cause of belt slip. What a palaver! There are 4 shields/panels surrounding the deck that had to be removed before I could access the deck. What is the purpose of these? My previous mower had none at all.
JD X120 Deck
- Thread starter Diwali
- Start date
-
- Tags
- mower deck
Auto Doc's
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2024
- Threads
- 2
- Messages
- 174
The shields are there to keep clutter and buildup out of the components. Aside from that, they protect idiots from getting caught up in the moving components.
Your previous mower likely had them removed, because belt safety guards have been mandatory since at least the late 50's
"Palaver"? That is a $2 word not many people use.
Your belt slip problem is likely just a stretched belt due to heat and use.
Your previous mower likely had them removed, because belt safety guards have been mandatory since at least the late 50's
"Palaver"? That is a $2 word not many people use.
Your belt slip problem is likely just a stretched belt due to heat and use.
Thanks. I suspected the shields were there because of a legal requirement. I'm guessing it didn't apply to the UK in 2008 when I bought a new Craftsman LT2000 (US made).
However, I was disappointed to find so much debris had accumulated behind the shields. I now realise the regular hosing down wasn't reaching behind the shields. Something for me to think about in future.
BTW, the slipping belt was due to one of the pulley brakes being stuck and not releasing due to corrosion. Fixed with a bit of lubrication and luckily the belt is still good.
PS. "Palaver" - $2!! You've been robbed!! It's free in the UK.
However, I was disappointed to find so much debris had accumulated behind the shields. I now realise the regular hosing down wasn't reaching behind the shields. Something for me to think about in future.
BTW, the slipping belt was due to one of the pulley brakes being stuck and not releasing due to corrosion. Fixed with a bit of lubrication and luckily the belt is still good.
PS. "Palaver" - $2!! You've been robbed!! It's free in the UK.
Attachments
ILENGINE
Lawn Royalty
- Joined
- May 6, 2010
- Threads
- 44
- Messages
- 10,991
That deck is clean compared to some of the decks and mowers that come through my shop every year.
Tiger Small Engine
Lawn Addict
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2022
- Threads
- 3
- Messages
- 1,293
Some of the decks on top, and bottom that get serviced by me are absolutely packed. To the point where I charge extra. To the point where it should be embarrassing to the customer, but it isn’t.
Having to clean a machine before working on it must be a mechanic‘s nightmare and charging extra is fully justifiable in my opinion.
In my case, having discovered the safety shields were preventing a thorough clean of the JD deck, I have (shhhh!) removed two of the four shields for better access. Hosing down is now considerably more effective. Furthermore, I can now see the debris where my view was blocked before.
In my case, having discovered the safety shields were preventing a thorough clean of the JD deck, I have (shhhh!) removed two of the four shields for better access. Hosing down is now considerably more effective. Furthermore, I can now see the debris where my view was blocked before.
Someone removed the shields off my 80 year old aunt’s zero turn. She wasn’t thinking, reached down to remove some debris from the deck while mowing and now has one less finger. True story!
You’re right! I believe the collection of grass debris on the deck is what caused the pulley brake to seize. There were other signs of corrosion too: springs, deck steel etc. and this is a machine that is less than 2 years old and has never been stored outside.
The shields are staying off for good!
Sorry to read that. Clearing a rotating deck is risky; I‘ve never done it.
I did hear of an Australian lady who severely injured her foot cutting on a slope. She put her foot down to stop a potential rollover but, unfortunately, the foot went under the deck.
