LT1045 2007 Blade speed slows down in thick grass

[LT1045wrh]

Hi Everyone,
I haven't had this problem in the past, but when I was mowing the other day, the grass cuts fine but when I reach a thick patch (not anything the mower can't handle), the blades seem to slow way down. This has never happened before. I can hear the blades. Odd, but I know my mower noises and know something isn't right. It cuts fine, but this is something new. If I slow the forward movement way down to a crawl, no problem, but I can't go so slow all the time. It would take forever. It seems like the clutch is slipping, does that make any sense?
Thanks for your input.
Prof H

 

[mechanic mark]

PDF Manual Web Archive

 

[wjjones]

Hi Everyone,
I haven't had this problem in the past, but when I was mowing the other day, the grass cuts fine but when I reach a thick patch (not anything the mower can't handle), the blades seem to slow way down. This has never happened before. I can hear the blades. Odd, but I know my mower noises and know something isn't right. It cuts fine, but this is something new. If I slow the forward movement way down to a crawl, no problem, but I can't go so slow all the time. It would take forever. It seems like the clutch is slipping, does that make any sense?
Thanks for your input.
Prof H

Sounds like the deck belt is worn down, or a pulley is going bad.

 

[Deerlane]

Make sure idler arm on deck that has the spring is free. A lot of times they will rust tight at the place where it bolts to the deck because its not lube at all. Then the belt slips under a load.

 

[LT1045wrh]

Thank you, I think the belt is just worn out. I have an extra belt, so I'll change it out and see if that fixes the problem. I don't hear any odd noise from the bearings and I don't see any bad rusting at the pulley spring, so we'll see what happens.
Thanks for the help,
Prof H

 

[mechanic mark]

PDF Manual Web Archive

http://www.cubcadet.info/Manuels/2005/Tracteurs/LT1042-LT1045-LT1046-LT1050-Owner.pdf