blades wont engage. Belts adjustment?

R

rigoletto

Well-Known Member
People,

MTD model 13A 466 7F118, from 1998. Start engine, slowly lower the lever, and now blades dont turn/engage. Manual has page on "Deck Engagement Adjustmant" which talks of a "rod to stabilizer shaft assembly". Is this a good place to start? Tips appreciated!
 
That adjustment rod has more effect on disengage than just engagement. Normally effects the first two notches from the top. Make sure the spindles turn freely by hand when disengaged, and not have one that is froze. With the deck all the way down is the belt tight. Could be a belt problem also.
 
ILENGINE said:
That adjustment rod has more effect on disengage than just engagement. Normally effects the first two notches from the top. Make sure the spindles turn freely by hand when disengaged, and not have one that is froze. With the deck all the way down is the belt tight. Could be a belt problem also.
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Sorry for delay, IL. I will check on this and let you know........Right now, mower is stuck far away in middle of lawn. Related problem- in neutral, mower will not roll freely. Any ideas here? Been that way for years......
 
ILENGINE said:
That adjustment rod has more effect on disengage than just engagement. Normally effects the first two notches from the top. Make sure the spindles turn freely by hand when disengaged, and not have one that is froze. With the deck all the way down is the belt tight. Could be a belt problem also.
Click to expand...

Oh- whats a spindle?
 
ILENGINE said:
Its the thing that the belt turns to turn the blade. Has a pulley on top, and turns a shaft that turns the blade under the deck.
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Ohhh, OK, I get it. Just got back and found out the problem isnt that the blades wont engage, cuz now they DO engage! Problem is when I put the shift into F for forward mower doesnt go anywhere. yes, nowhere . Now, hint: when I put the speed on 5 or 6 (fester speed), seems like belts are trying to catch, as I smell a burning rubber smell! AND, on that 5 or 6 speed position, belts make a whining sound. There are chunks of belt missing from the inner friction surface. Clearly, belt old/rotted. Change belts? Do I do this from above, removing the square plate around the shifter? Can I access from there?
 
You will probably have to remove the access cover, since on some models the belt straddles the shifter, and well as remove the deck to get better access from underneath, and well as remove the engine pulley. Some people just bend the guides out of the way by the engine pulley, but I don't recommend it, because unless you get them bent back correctly, they will cause future problems. Part of the problem may be just the belts, but I have another question, can you push the rider with the tranny in neutral, I am just trying to rule out a stuck parking brake, which can be a common issue on older mowers.
 
ILENGINE said:
You will probably have to remove the access cover, since on some models the belt straddles the shifter, and well as remove the deck to get better access from underneath, and well as remove the engine pulley. Some people just bend the guides out of the way by the engine pulley, but I don't recommend it, because unless you get them bent back correctly, they will cause future problems. Part of the problem may be just the belts, but I have another question, can you push the rider with the tranny in neutral, I am just trying to rule out a stuck parking brake, which can be a common issue on older mowers.
Click to expand...

Thanks, again, IL. Good news (and will answer your concern about being able to push mower in neutral) just had a friend help me push the mower in neutral, and somehow, it pushes! man, why sometimes it rolls freely in neutral and sometimes not. Anyway, now its at a handy place to work on it, and man, peeked inside from above, and the "front drive belt" (according to manual picture) is mangled! Its mangled into the above pulley! Shesh.

At least now, Im getting closer. removed accesss cover like you said. blades belt is for now OK. Will focus on the drive belt. Big thanks, IL. (any tip on this drive belt appreciated) (I dont think i really need to remove deck, do I)?
 
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