Help! I broke my husband's mower!!

[lea63]

Murray 42" deck Model # 13AM77LS058
I've never used a riding mower before and wanted to hel!p while he's working so much overtime!
Left blades(driver's side) are stuck down. Started mowing and well I kinda panicked when I came across
an area of rock in the ground. I meant to lift blades.....lowered by accident to lowest setting.
I spent hours putting belt back on (before I realized blade issue).
When I got belt on it started right up, but when I engage blades it dies.
Only left side is hanging down to ground...no matter what position I put
lever in. I've researched a bit and think it's a spindle problem.
So, how do I know what all to buy? Spindle with bearings in it, shaft,
Pulley, belt??

 

[DevonD]

Is the blade just bent and hitting the ground when u try to engage it? Did you raise the deck all the way up again before trying to engage it? Usually when a spindle is bad your mower blade will be all wobbly and you can wiggle it up and down? With the mower in the OFF position (NOT RUNNING) look under the deck and see if you can tell if the blade is bent. If it doesn't look bent and matches the other side (blade) grab the blade and see if it a bunch of free play by pushing up and down. The blades will rotate without the mower running, they just shouldn't have any play. This will be a start for you. Let us know how it goes.

 

[reynoldston]

I would only be a guess, Maybe some pictures.

 

[lea63]

Thx Devond.
It moves up and down. Hoping this photo attaches.

Pic shows blade while it is disengaged and set at highest level.

 

[ILENGINE]

It appears as if the bearings have failed in the spindle, which may not have had any thing to do with hitting the rock.

 

[lea63]

It appears as if the bearings have failed in the spindle, which may not have had any thing to do with hitting the rock.

Thx so much for your help. I ordered parts, a spindle assembly.
Hubby will probably have to fix!
And that makes me feel better that maybe it wasn't all my fault! !
It's a flat rock that I've seen him go over....he just wouldn't have mistakenly lowered
blades to lowest!!
Now, just to break the news to him, lol....
Thanks all.