Question Husqvarna 155 rider

[Hardcase]

Just bought a this mower I love it so far getting used to using it. One question I have is about the deck it seems pretty loud. Mows perfect with no vibration blades are not new, but seem in good shape. Not sure if it being a mulching, timed deck could have anything to do with how loud it is? I am also thinking about replacing the tires with an ATV tires with aggressive tread anybody else done this?

 

[Gem99ultra]

I definitely love my Rider 155. It has served me well for 12 years and ~2500+ hours of use. I do the maintenance thing, i.e. plug, air filter, oil change & filter, grease zerk, pull the scalping wheels off and grease those, about twice a year - at the beginning of the mowing season and mid-way through it - averaging about every 4 months. I did replace the belts about 5 years ago, but only that once for good measure. I do blow the mower off after every use to stave off rusting.

One thing, I was neglect on was greasing the mower deck spindles, i.e. mandrels - never touched them. This past year R-155 got real loud when I'd engage the blades. Just for the heck of it, I pulled the deck off and removed the spindles. Geez - two had missing bearings and the third one bone dry. And they had no grease fittings! That repair cost me about $400 for a complete replacement. All parts were readily available from Husqvarna. That was no small task and I doubt that I'll be taking it apart just to grease them again. If they burn up in the next 12 years, I'll probably just replace them again.

But - if you want a clean start with your 'new' mower, you might consider pulling the spindles and grease those "sealed" bearings. Other than that, I think you will learn to appreciate the quality of the Rider 155. Cuts like no other mower I've ever owned - golf course smooth!

 

[Hardcase]

I definitely love my Rider 155. It has served me well for 12 years and ~2500+ hours of use. I do the maintenance thing, i.e. plug, air filter, oil change & filter, grease zerk, pull the scalping wheels off and grease those, about twice a year - at the beginning of the mowing season and mid-way through it - averaging about every 4 months. I did replace the belts about 5 years ago, but only that once for good measure. I do blow the mower off after every use to stave off rusting.

One thing, I was neglect on was greasing the mower deck spindles, i.e. mandrels - never touched them. This past year R-155 got real loud when I'd engage the blades. Just for the heck of it, I pulled the deck off and removed the spindles. Geez - two had missing bearings and the third one bone dry. And they had no grease fittings! That repair cost me about $400 for a complete replacement. All parts were readily available from Husqvarna. That was no small task and I doubt that I'll be taking it apart just to grease them again. If they burn up in the next 12 years, I'll probably just replace them again.

But - if you want a clean start with your 'new' mower, you might consider pulling the spindles and grease those "sealed" bearings. Other than that, I think you will learn to appreciate the quality of the Rider 155. Cuts like no other mower I've ever owned - golf course smooth!

How do I grease them if they are sealed? I do not see any grease fittings?

 

[Gem99ultra]

How do I grease them if they are sealed? I do not see any grease fittings?

No grease fittings is my complaint also. The only way I can see is to pull the spindle cap to get to the bearings.

The "sealed" bearings usually are only sealed with a rubber gasket, protecting the bearing basket. Take a small prick or a small knife and carefully remove the rubber gasket which will expose the bearings. It's best to add grease from both sides of the bearing. I suspect packing those spindles real good will suffice for many years of use. Personally, I use marine grade wheel bearing grease.

 

[Dan Bollinger]

From what I understand, they aren't sealed bearings as in the image. Rather, they are like the front spindle bearings on rear-wheel-drive cars. If I were taking them apart for greasing, I'd install zerk fittings at the same time and pump the spindle full.

Regarding the noise, make sure that the blades aren't lined up in a row. If they are, the deck becomes a siren. To fix, move the center blade out of sync.

 

[Gem99ultra]

You are correct Dan. I'd hardly call them 'sealed' bearings myself, but that's the way they are referred to as. I ran into the same type bearings on my m/c trailer...
Drilling a hole and installing zerks is definitely the way to go. I was in a hurry and did not do that, but if I were to do it all over again, I certainly would. That would make life a lot easier in the future. I'm a big believer in lots of grease

 

[Hardcase]

Thanks I think I will check the bearing Monday. The blades are lined up correctly. I am going to check all the spindles and go ahead and add zerks can't hurt. Put some chains on this morning made a big difference on hills. Still can't get over the way this thing mows, it does look like a golf course and I have a rough yard!

 

[Hardcase]

Thanks I think I will check the bearing Monday. The blades are lined up correctly. I am going to check all the spindles and go ahead and add zerks can't hurt. Put some chains on this morning made a big difference on hills. Still can't get over the way this thing mows, it does look like a golf course and I have a rough yard!

Checked the deck Tuesday everything was tight, except one bolt on top of one spindle. I tighten it and left off the cover to see if it gets loose again. Does not seem to be any quieter. I was thinking about putting some oil in the hole where the bolt was to see if it would quiet things down? Would that even get to the bearings? What do you all think?

 

[Dan Bollinger]

At this point I wonder if you don't have a bad bearing. Did you check the spindle bearings for smoothness? If not, remove the belt running between spindle pulleys and turn the spindles by hand feeling for any roughness or lateral movment that could indicate bad bearings. If so, then I suggest replacing all the bearings on all the spindles.

 

[montysimmons]

Did you verify the spindles are not cracked? A small crack in a spindle can make the belts ride on the pulleys incorrectly. Causes the belt to ride up on the pulley and the belt will rub other surfaces and make noise. Although, this should also cause the belt to wear out quickly.

 

[Hardcase]

Did you verify the spindles are not cracked? A small crack in a spindle can make the belts ride on the pulleys incorrectly. Causes the belt to ride up on the pulley and the belt will rub other surfaces and make noise. Although, this should also cause the belt to wear out quickly.

Belt seems to riding fine, no wooble, runs smooth.

 

[Hardcase]

I checked did not see and cracks. Belt is running smooth that's the reason I left the cover off so I could watch it. Maybe it's a bad bearing, no to the point of woobling yet.

 

[Dan Bollinger]

I looked at the operator's manual. Nothing popped out at me except the importance to make sure the blades are a 90° to one another. See p. 35.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Checked the deck Tuesday everything was tight, except one bolt on top of one spindle. I tighten it and left off the cover to see if it gets loose again. Does not seem to be any quieter. I was thinking about putting some oil in the hole where the bolt was to see if it would quiet things down? Would that even get to the bearings? What do you all think?

I don't think the oil will get down to the bearing that way. Mine had a steel inner sleeve that the bolt went through. As others have suggested, I'd take the belt loose and spin the spindle by hand, checking to see if it turns absolutely smoothly. And feel of roughness would indicate that the bearing is not properly packed with grease, or a bad bearing.
In any case, I think I'd take the spindle out and disassemble it to be sure that everything inside is in good order. That probably would also me the best way to drill the hole for a zerk fitting.

 

[Hardcase]

Ok guys checked all the bearing they are good, smooth as silk. Maybe it's just a loud deck, it is a mulching, timed deck. I'm thinking about trying to video it, and post it here. I don't know if I can get how loud it is.

 

[Hardcase]

HUSQVARNA RIDER 155 - YouTube

I was looking through some links and found this one. It sounds a lot like mine does when the mower is engaged. Does it sound OK to you all??

 

[Dan Bollinger]

That video sounds like metal on metal. Since you've ruled out the spindle bearings. What about the belt tensioner pulley bearings?

 

[Hardcase]

Maybe, I'm going to go see a friend that's has worked on other mowers for years. I'm thinking he might have an idea. Thanks for all your help.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Ok guys checked all the bearing they are good, smooth as silk. Maybe it's just a loud deck, it is a mulching, timed deck. I'm thinking about trying to video it, and post it here. I don't know if I can get how loud it is.

Wow! That sounds unusually load to me. Could be that the video sound pickup was extremely close - nothing to compare it to. But yes, mine is quite louder when you engage the blades.

The loud sound in the video seemed to me to be about as loud as mine was when I discovered the spindle bearings were shot. Not to scare you or anything, but to me, measuring from the video is not a good comparison. Checking with the mower shop would be prudent.

 

[speedz]

I checked did not see and cracks. Belt is running smooth that's the reason I left the cover off so I could watch it. Maybe it's a bad bearing, no to the point of woobling yet.

bearing was bad on center deck pulley
i bought a whole new shaft ,bearing,assembly
im having trouble removing bottom called adapter part #535-410-801
any help????