Mower Bogging Down

[J Johnson]

I have a Hustler Fastrak with a 26 hp kawasaki and 600 hrs. About one hour into mowing, it starts to bog down like the mower deck is clogged, but its not. I have checked the deck and the spindles and nothing seems to be restricted. I have cleaned the fuel tank, changed the fuel filter and I still have the problem. It is somewhat erradic. If I stop and let it set for awhile, then it performs fine.
Basically the mower will still mow, but it slows down like it is stressed.
I hate to just start replacing parts.
Could it be a spindle, however they all spin well and seem to be ok. I was thinking it could be the clutch.
Any ideas??

 

[clubairth]

You did what I would and that's clean the tank. Did you find anything? I have had old machines that even after a tank clean out it still was shedding crap into the tank and causing what you mentioned. Can you inspect the inside and see how rusted it is? Filter clean when changed?

Has the hydraulic drive belt been changed? They are hard to see and until they break you can't tell. Could it be getting hot and slipping? Maybe the belt is old and has stretched?

I have a different model of Hustler but they went back and forth on those belts. First is was a smooth belt then they went to a cogged belt. The spring tensioner could also be weak and not keeping the belt tight.
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