LX176 38" deck not cutting in the middle

[kerrlakelover]

I know it's something I'm missing because I have an LX176 and an STX38 and both mowers are doing the same thing. They are leaving a rough cut just to the right of the center of the 38" cut area. I've checked for loose spindles, blades, sharpened blades, got new blades and still have the same issue. The only thing left is that I'm thinking my deck belts might be worn/stretched and the right blade might be slipping. You would think if there was belt slippage you might hear it squeal a bit...no squeals. My next step is to by a new belt for both of them. I've had this issue for the last 2 summers. Anyone have any ideas or seen this issue? Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[BlazNT]

Check to make sure you don't have the blades upside down. It has happened to the best of us and the worst of us in my case.

 

[bertsmobile1]

I know it's something I'm missing because I have an LX176 and an STX38 and both mowers are doing the same thing. They are leaving a rough cut just to the right of the center of the 38" cut area. I've checked for loose spindles, blades, sharpened blades, got new blades and still have the same issue. The only thing left is that I'm thinking my deck belts might be worn/stretched and the right blade might be slipping. You would think if there was belt slippage you might hear it squeal a bit...no squeals. My next step is to by a new belt for both of them. I've had this issue for the last 2 summers. Anyone have any ideas or seen this issue? Thanks in advance!!!!

:welcome:

No the belt only squeals when the spindle/ pulley is jambed and not moving at all a slight slippage is fairly quiet.
Have a good look at the belt. if it has a polished look on either side of the V then it has been slipping.
The right blade cops a beating as it not only has to cut but also discharge the grass from both blades.
Swap the blades left right see if that makes a difference.
Check that the belt tensioner is free to move and thus fully tensioning the belt.

The quick & nasty check for belt slippage is to cut at the lowest or highest position as these increase the distance from the engine pulley to the deck and thus tighten the belt a tiny bit.
Have a good look at the width of your belt.
belts do not stretch, then get thinner between the V's and then sit deeper in the pulley and thus run looser.
If the mower has got a lot of hours on it you might need to go to a slightly smaller belt.

 

[kerrlakelover]

Check to make sure you don't have the blades upside down. It has happened to the best of us and the worst of us in my case.

Thanks BlazNT. Nah, blades are on correctly. This has been going on for some time and thru several blade removals and sharpenings. My neighbor did come over once because his mower was not cutting correctly after he put on new blades....he had one on upside down. I had to laugh at him.

 

[kerrlakelover]

:welcome:

No the belt only squeals when the spindle/ pulley is jambed and not moving at all a slight slippage is fairly quiet.
Have a good look at the belt. if it has a polished look on either side of the V then it has been slipping.
The right blade cops a beating as it not only has to cut but also discharge the grass from both blades.
Swap the blades left right see if that makes a difference.
Check that the belt tensioner is free to move and thus fully tensioning the belt.

The quick & nasty check for belt slippage is to cut at the lowest or highest position as these increase the distance from the engine pulley to the deck and thus tighten the belt a tiny bit.
Have a good look at the width of your belt.
belts do not stretch, then get thinner between the V's and then sit deeper in the pulley and thus run looser.
If the mower has got a lot of hours on it you might need to go to a slightly smaller belt.

Thanks bertsmobile. You confirmed my thoughts that the issue may be the belt. I'm going to get a new belt and check out the tensioner too. Thanks!

 

[bertsmobile1]

Have a real good look at the belt.
If the sides are polished smooth & shinny then it is slipping.
If they are black and slightly ragged it has been gripping.
Have a close look at all the pulleys if the root is shinny then the belt was way too worn and has been running in the wrong place.
If the new belt touches the root of the V then the pulley is toast.
With the deck off check the movement of the tensioning arm and see that it has been running at full tension.
Some of them can wear little grooves and sit in there rather than pull on the belt properly.

 

[kerrlakelover]

Have a real good look at the belt.
If the sides are polished smooth & shinny then it is slipping.
If they are black and slightly ragged it has been gripping.
Have a close look at all the pulleys if the root is shinny then the belt was way too worn and has been running in the wrong place.
If the new belt touches the root of the V then the pulley is toast.
With the deck off check the movement of the tensioning arm and see that it has been running at full tension.
Some of them can wear little grooves and sit in there rather than pull on the belt properly.

Thanks! Will look at all that as soon as I have a chance.