MOWER LEAVES STRIP

[fred daniels]

my 345 leaves a 1 inch strip between the right and middle blade. have installed new blades. pulley and blade shaft are all good. any suggestions. thanks

 

[gfp55]

Did you compare the new and old blades side by side to see if they were the same size? Did you change brand or are they OEM? Just a thought.

 

[Nwatson99]

Then you did not install the correct blades then.
Like gfp55 asked, did you install JD blades?

 

[SeniorCitizen]

Has it always left a strip from day one or just recently? With a clean deck, OEM blades or equivalent, installed correctly, and belt tension in order for maximum blade tip RPM, leaving a strip will be a very rare occasion.

 

[fred daniels]

Did you compare the new and old blades side by side to see if they were the same size? Did you change brand or are they OEM? Just a thought.

yes. they are factory john deere blades. compared them with an old set. same length.

 

[fred daniels]

Then you did not install the correct blades then.
Like gfp55 asked, did you install JD blades?

yes

 

[gfp55]

Maybe you could take the deck off and flip it over and look to see if the deck has something getting in the way of the blades. Take the belt off a try to move the spindles side to side, look to see were the deck and spindle meat if there is a crack or bend. When the deck is upside down turn the blades to see how far the tips are from one another. Are the blades on right side up or upside down.

 

[Carscw]

I think what has happened is one of the spindles has worn down. The bearings sit on a ridge in the housing. This ridge gets worn down and makes the blade sit lower or higher. Grab the blade and see if it has any up and down play. (Wobble)

If this is the case you will need to replace the spindle. Or you can put a thin washer between the bearing and the ridge. Either way your going to need new bearings.

 

[Rokon]

I think what has happened is one of the spindles has worn down. The bearings sit on a ridge in the housing. This ridge gets worn down and makes the blade sit lower or higher. Grab the blade and see if it has any up and down play. (Wobble)

If this is the case you will need to replace the spindle. Or you can put a thin washer between the bearing and the ridge. Either way your going to need new bearings.

Since the question was not answered if the mower has been missing a cut since new, I would tend to lean on the above as the solution your problem.

 

[gfp55]

my 345 leaves a 1 inch strip between the right and middle blade. have installed new blades. pulley and blade shaft are all good. any suggestions. thanks

What ever happened with your mower? Did you find out why it was leaving a strip, maybe you could let us know the outcome?