This is strange - when i'm sitting still and lower the mower deck it engages and cuts the grass. About 10 seconds after I release the clutch and start moving forward the deck disengages and the blades stop turning. I have a fairly new belt on the deck - the variable speed belt looks like it might be starting to wear out. Could a worn variable speed belt be causing this ? It just started happening today when I went out to mow. The mower is a MTD yard machine - about 10 years old. I'd greatly appreciate any thoughts on what the problem might be. Thanks!
Is the deck tension spring hooked up, or possibly broken and missing. Its a big spring that hooks tothe rear of the deck bracket and then some hook to a hook on the axle, and some hook to the rear of the mower above the hitch.
Well, I finally figured it out - and it was the last thing I expected so I'm posting the solution:
In looking thru the owners manual I noticed something about adjusting the speed control. I looked and that was already set properly so I took the deck off, started up the tractor, put it in gear and now the thing wouldn't move! It's easier to see the drive belt with the deck off and I looked and lo and behold the drive belt had come off the front pulley which is just under the engine. There are 3 small metal pieces that bend down from the frame to help keep the belt on the pulley and the belt had slipped outside of one of them and I couldn't get the belt to slide back inside of it. I started pushing and pulling on the belt and the engine shifted! I know that's not supposed to happen so I looked and 3 of the 4 bolts that hold the engine onto the frame (they're below the engine and under the frame) had come out and the 4th was loose. I ran to Lowe's bought 3 bolts and washers, put the belt in place, put all 4 bolts in and tightened them, put the deck back on and everything worked fine. It wound up costing me just $1.37... Lot cheaper than taking it to the shop or buying a new mower!
#5
SONOFADOCKER
A belt throwing machine is common loose engine bolts . I get Toro's in the shop with that more than any other brand .
