LT2180 blades not spinning at full RPM

jtexx · #1 05-01-2016, 09:23 PM

I have an LT2180 I bought new back in 2004. For the last year or so the blades just don't sound like they're spinning as fast as they should. they used to sound like an airboat now you can barely hear them spinning. You can also hear them spin down when you get in to barely high grass. I have changed the PTO belt to no avail and also when they spin down in grass the engine does not bog down. I have a feeling it is the PTO clutch but not sure how to check it.. The clutch has always engaged and disengaged just fine. The spindles and pulleys all seem to be spinning fine as well.. Two new spindles installed 2 years ago. Trying to get 1 or 2 more seasons out of her and then Mamma wants a zero turn.. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!!

R Bedell · #2 05-02-2016, 06:17 AM

First, welcome to OCC......

Quote:

I have a feeling it is the PTO clutch

I would be looking into this area. Try to get a frontal view of the PTO to see it is spinning at the same RPM's as the engine.

Sam Mac · #3 05-02-2016, 08:02 AM

Check the PTO, make sure the belts are in good condition and have proper tension, make sure nothing is binding, make sure the blades are tight on the spindles.

Edit: Also check your voltage, low voltage can cause the PTO to slip.

Todd Porter · #4 05-23-2016, 06:48 AM

I'm having the exact same problem, but I noticed if I lower the deck it works like it should, it just doesn't spin the blades when the deck is set at it's highest point. Unfortunately I usually mow with the deck at it's highest setting. I have a pretty rough piece of property. I'm thinking maybe the tensioner is binding/broken somehow. Or the spring is shot. I messed around with it yesterday (after I gave up mowing

) and just lowering the deck (with everything turned off, of course) you can see the difference in deck belt tension. Pretty tight when the deck is lower, loose as a goose at it's highest setting. I've had this mower for a few years , it's an lt 2180 bought used, and had an issue with drive belts when I first got it, that was an idler pulley issue. Otherwise it's been fine. I did notice this kind of drag late last year, but it's much worse now. Any suggestions?

Sam Mac · #5 05-23-2016, 08:03 AM

Remove the deck and make sure that the belt tensioners are free to move. Items # 1 & 3 circled in red. Number 1 has a grease fitting on it that rarely get's greased. Also make sure that the springs, items #14 & 15 are in place

Todd Porter · #6 05-27-2016, 10:47 PM

Still working on this. I checked battery voltage, seems OK. How do you check voltage to the pto switch? I have an old analog tester I checked the battery with (12.5 volts) but my other tester is a bit more...complex. I checked the voltage going to the pto on dc 20, got a reading of 205, is that good? Don't ask me why I have a multimeter I don't know how to use...Anyway, took the dual pulley off, checked it over, seems OK but the top bearing does sound a little rough. But it spins freely. I noticed the bearings look like sealed bearings, so why have I been greasing them? Any more suggestions?

Todd Porter · #7 05-29-2016, 11:56 AM

Well, after taking things apart, cleaning/re-greasing,etc. I have settled on a conclusion:I think my spring has sprung. The one that keeps tension on the deck belt. The idler arm has plenty of movement, I can push it and the belt will tighten up, but in a static state it's too loose. I probably won't find one till Tuesday, but I'll post if it fixes it. If not I'll take a hammer to it. If I can't fix it with a hammer, it must be electrical.

Todd Porter · #8 06-10-2016, 08:45 PM

Just to update: I replaced the deck belt yesterday, mows like a new machine now. Has that good old airplane sound that I didn't get from it last year, mows heavy stuff like a champ. I decided on the belt because the old one was pretty cracked up, but not broken. Regardless, it's working well now, not bogging down in heavy grass like last year and this spring. Hope this helps someone else.