Murray M115-38 Making Squealing Noise When Blades Are First Engaged

[nickshorette]

I just recently replaced the belt on this mower and the blades. Whenever I engage the blades, the mower makes a loud squealing noise for about a second or two, then stops. Does anyone know what this means and how to fix it?

 

[ILENGINE]

I would think the blade brakes are not releasing before the belt tries to engage them. Did you your an OEM belt and is it installed correctly.

 

[Fish]

Could be a idler pulley with bearings going bad.
Why did you replace the belt? Maybe that is what happened to the old belt.

 

[bertsmobile1]

Sounds like what happens when you do not hold the brakes open when fitting a new belt
It is easy to end up with the belt on the wrong side of the left hand brake spindle so when the PTO lever pulls the belt tight it drives the brake in harder.
Bad news is this generally wrecks the cover on the belt so your new belt might be toast before you have cut the first blade of grass with it.

 

[MGD 312]

Sounds like what happens when you do not hold the brakes open when fitting a new belt
It is easy to end up with the belt on the wrong side of the left hand brake spindle so when the PTO lever pulls the belt tight it drives the brake in harder.
Bad news is this generally wrecks the cover on the belt so your new belt might be toast before you have cut the first blade of grass with it.

How do you hold brakes open when Installing new belt? Just installed one and want to be sure before problems arise and ruin my day.