John Deere Z915B doesn't move well

[jpc6759]

Mowing grass yesterday with my Z915B zero turn and ran over a branch I didn't see in high grass. Before I knew I ran over the branch the tractor just all of a sudden bogged down. Thought it was the high grass so I stopped and backed up a bit out of the high grass. Motor still seemed bogged down so I shut the blades off. The motor then revved back up and sounded fine. Once I tried moving, however, the motor bogged back down. The faster I tried to go the more it bogged down. I limped it back to the house and found the branch jammed in the mower deck. I've since cleaned it all up and removed the mower deck belt from the motor but I still have the issue of the tractor bogging down as I try to move. Sounds the same as if you get in real high grass. Any suggestions on what the issue may be? was thinking that I possibly did something to the clutch for the deck since it would still be with the motor after removing the deck belt.

 

[hosspuller]

Have you checked the entire belt path from the engine to the hydraulic pump/motors ? Either the belt has jumped or there's something jammed in the belt.

Also.. There is a spring tensioner for the belt. make sure the tensioner is working. Otherwise the belt will slip under load.

 

[Spanner]

Or jamming one/both brake(s) ?

You're going to have to get underneath for a look.

 

[jpc6759]

The belt seems to be tight. When the tractor is running both pumps seem to be spinning well. And the belt doesn't seem to have any play when running.

 

[jpc6759]

How do I check the brakes?

 

[Spanner]

Follow the brake mechanism from the lever down to the 2 rods that go to each trans. Make sure they are both moving freely when you actuate the lever.

Welcome to the forum. Please advise your mechanical ability.

 

[jpc6759]

Got it figured out, unfortunately. Motor sounded as if it was running ok but it is not. No compression in one cylinder. Looks like I'm tearing a motor apart.

Thanks for the help and suggestions.

 

[Dutch445]

start with your cylinder head, it might be worth pulling the valve covers off to see if you
threw a valve guide. common if the head overheats, and if the head hadn't been cleaned
under the shrouding you can accumulate grass debris or mice nests around the cooling
fins reducing cooling.

 

[jpc6759]

Took valve cover off. All good and clean. Turns out the piston isn't moving.

 

[Dutch445]

how many hours are on this mower?