Mower squeal

[oldnslo]

If only happens when blades are spinning would definitely point towards the deck vs motor. I would start looking very, very closely at the pulleys and belts for any signs of strange wear. A pulley face slightly touching something metal could squeal.

 

[richdell]

Because of the layout of engine and pulleys I can't get a good picture. Anyway the sound it makes is not belt slippage, it sounds like metal to metal. Next time it does it I might let it run and see what fails!

 

[Midniteoyl]

It can happen anytime the clutch is powered (blades spinning)

The blades are the correct size and not interfering with each other. The spacers stored on top are for setting the blade height.

Are the pulley keys still good? Otherwise gotta be a bearing.

 

[alexpops]

If you're positive it's not belt slippage, got to agree with @Midniteoyl. You said that the idler bearing is good, so check the spindle bearings (especially if they are of the sealed, "lifetime lube" variety).

 

[richdell]

Any good pics of the belt drive from the top? From here, the location of your tension / adjuster pulley doesn't seem ideal to me. It is very close to both the spindle and drive pulley. Your only option this way is to stress the belt and draw it too deep into the vee. Do you also have a spring tension pulley in the drive?

I am pretty sure it is not belt related since it sounds like metal to metal. I think if it happens again I will let it run until something fails

 

[richdell]

If you're positive it's not belt slippage, got to agree with @Midniteoyl. You said that the idler bearing is good, so check the spindle bearings (especially if they are of the sealed, "lifetime lube" variety).

I took the belt off, used a drill with a socket to spin the spindles up, both sounded smooth and quiet.

 

[Midniteoyl]

I took the belt off, used a drill with a socket to spin the spindles up, both sounded smooth and quiet.

You're taking load off the bearings when you do that. Free spinning a bearing usually detects very bad bearings and may look ok until you throw that side load on them. And don't forget the idler bearing.

There's not much else it could be if the pulleys and clutch are not slipping.