122 PTO squeels

tinnerjohn

501 Club
When I engage the PTO for the mower deck there is a high pitched squeal momentarily. Is this a sign I missed something when I lubed it, it needs a shot of belt dressing or normal? Thanks, John
 
Not normal unless you are starting out with the mower deck in the uncut grass.

Check the condition of the mower deck belts, deck spindles. Plenty of grease in all deck spindles.

Edit: Worn deck belts would be my first guess. Deck belts usually need to be replaced every couple of years, even the premium quality belts.

My second guess, tension adjustment of the main deck drive belt.

2nd edit. In the process of repairing the spindle on a 42" deck for a 105. I'm up to $210- so far, just one spindle. Need to purchase more narrow framed Cub Cadets for mower parts.
 
Guys, check the pto clutch it could be slipping too. But I’d look at the belts first.

I been swapping deck parts to keep one mowing. I paid $150 for a cc 1000 added disc brakes, 12hp engine, she’s a runner, we don’t get much today for a new $4,000 mower to replace my $400/1200? I’m putting bandaids on my cc keeping them running. Soon I’ll be swapping engines and selling left over rolling tractors. My cub cadets will be running into the next century. Lol

Online there’s a pressure washer site that has tapered bearings cheap that fits most mower decks I put them in my 3260.
 
It was finally was dry enough this afternoon to mow, so I grabbed the grease gun and greased everything. My yard is fairly small so I haven't greased it every time, then I remembered that my wife and grandson have mowed a couple times since I used it. The belts looked so-so, so I fired it up, engaged PTO, no squeal. Success! Finished mowing and was scattering a small windrow, the main belt came off. Guess I'll be chasing belts. Thanks for the help Gentlemen. John
 
If the rpm is too high when you engage the pto the belts will squeal.

If the belt replacement continues you may need new pulleys.
 
I think the new belt fixed it. I also gave the idler pulleys a shot of oil. Only mowed once since but so far so good, Thanks for the info. John
 
I think electric PTO is under enormous stress. If it is attached to the crankshaft, more stress on the engine. They engage but all that heat travels somewhere. I really like the clutches and stuff to where you can bring the deck blades to speed, instead of slamming it over inertia. It could be that time Does tell over 50 years. I have many lawn and garden tractors of less ability than we talk here. One in particular is a Craftsman II Limited edition. I know that sucks but the spindle shafts are larger than much higher hp models. The deck engagement is slow and manual, allowing the blades to come up to speed. The engine is still okay but being a vertical, it is enduring belt tension directly on the crankshaft. When stuff slips around the main pulley, there is heat transferred right up into the engine. There could have been a better way. It doesn't help that cheesy thin pulleys wear and deform with the heat of slippage. You can put a new belt on. It doesn't last as long. You can see that the pulley has worn to a different profile so it cannot work with a new belt properly. It is immediately wearing the new belt to conform.
 
When I said "spindle shafts" I meant the front axle shafts. The deck is the same miserable type with two blade arbors for 42" cut but it really does work well. Almost impossible to rebuild the older ones ( as the bearings have seized and cored out the housing). The newer replacements are a stouter fixture with cooling fins but that's old news too. What ever works ! I cobbled together an arbor housing of steel pipe and plate since I had a small lathe, drill press and welder there. So far so good on that. The steering is, however, almost a joke.
 
The whole previous screed about electric PTOs was about lower class lawn tractors. I've known for decades that the IHCs have in-line engines. The electric PTO s must work fine with them or they wouldn't have done it. My lap top blew away again with all the cold packs and vacuuming out the water. Another is on it's way. The damage has been done. I will continue to look for the 12X series as I knew they are very strong.
 
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