Hello all, I'm new to the forum, but have owned my Raptor SD 54" mower for approx 5 years. I was using the mower regularly up until last summer (June of 21), when we went on an extended vacation. When we came back, I kept the lawn service we were using and didn't use the mower for a year, other then to start it up from time to time.
Started it up yesterday, and when going to engage the blades, the engine chokes, and then dies. It runs/moves fine when riding and not trying to cut. I was able to get it moving by reving the engine to higher RPM's and engaging the blades. It stumbled a bit but stayed running and seemed to cut grass as normal. But, I don't know that that is good for it, and I didn't use to have rev it up so much to get it to go.
Today I changed the oil, put in new plugs, and a fuel filter, but it still does the same thing. I even took off the plastic covers on the cutting deck, and cleaned out around all the pulleys. When turning the blades (backwards) by hand it seems there is a lot of drag on them. I don't see any lube points for the pulleys, and don't have anything in the manual to show how to change the belts, although the belt looks like it's in good shape. I wondering if the bearings in one of the pulleys has good bad and is seizing up.
Any suggestions on what it might be, and how to check to see if a pulley bearing is seized up?
Thanks in advance.
Bruce
Started it up yesterday, and when going to engage the blades, the engine chokes, and then dies. It runs/moves fine when riding and not trying to cut. I was able to get it moving by reving the engine to higher RPM's and engaging the blades. It stumbled a bit but stayed running and seemed to cut grass as normal. But, I don't know that that is good for it, and I didn't use to have rev it up so much to get it to go.
Today I changed the oil, put in new plugs, and a fuel filter, but it still does the same thing. I even took off the plastic covers on the cutting deck, and cleaned out around all the pulleys. When turning the blades (backwards) by hand it seems there is a lot of drag on them. I don't see any lube points for the pulleys, and don't have anything in the manual to show how to change the belts, although the belt looks like it's in good shape. I wondering if the bearings in one of the pulleys has good bad and is seizing up.
Any suggestions on what it might be, and how to check to see if a pulley bearing is seized up?
Thanks in advance.
Bruce