Rear engine riding mower

[grassguy260]

I have a rear engine rider, about the same size deck you'd see on a push mower. I'm having an issue where anytime I get into a little bit of tall grass my blades stop while the deck is still engaged. Another issue I've noticed is my deck won't engage on setting 5. Only 4 or lower. I've tried changing out the carb cleaning out the deck and sharpening blades with no resolution. It's an older mower. Almost to the point of trading it in for a push mower.

 

[slomo]

Sounds like your belt is slipping.

Belt too long.
Used automotive belt instead of OEM mower belt.
Wrong belt routing or missing idler pullies.
Possible dead bearings.

Older mowers are built better. Hold off on replacing it especially with some new machine.

 

[StarTech]

Even worn pulleys sometimes cause a problem even with a new OEM belt. First start out searching the actual model from the serial number tag that way you get the correct part numbers.

 

[grassguy260]

Appreciate the insight. Without looking I think it's an R110. I'll take a look at the belt tomorrow. 30 in if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Oddjob]

I have a rear engine rider, about the same size deck you'd see on a push mower. I'm having an issue where anytime I get into a little bit of tall grass my blades stop while the deck is still engaged. Another issue I've noticed is my deck won't engage on setting 5. Only 4 or lower. I've tried changing out the carb cleaning out the deck and sharpening blades with no resolution. It's an older mower. Almost to the point of trading it in for a push

I found the owners manual online. Look at page 20. There’s a procedure for adjusting the tension on what they call the attachment clutch and the rest of us would call the blade engagement lever. It is supposed to have 3-9 mm of free play when unengaged. I suspect that you have more than that and as a result you can’t get the belt tight enough. Belts stretch and wear. Even pulleys wear, though not as fast as belts. My guess is that at its highest setting there is less tension on the belt than there is at the lowest setting, so when the attachment clutch free play exceeds specs you get no friction at all at the highest setting. A new belt may solve this, but if it were my machine, I’d check the attachment clutch free play.