Trying to lube mule drive bearings

[Gary S Minnesota 51]

Hey All,

I’m experiencing a screech or wine when I engage the PTO with my 40’’RD as well as my 48” Decks.  Slow or fast engagement does not make a difference.  The noise goes away when the blades come up to speed.  I’m thinking its the Mule drive I’m hearing, but would expect those bearings to screech all the time?

Tried to remove the pulleys to grease the bearings as per Peter’s posts but find they are stuck tight to the shaft.  Does not seem to have a spot to apply wonder bar pressure etc.  Tried a gear puller, no luck, didn’t want to apply too much pressure or I’d deform the aluminum pulley.

Also thought I could be hearing the PTO bearings?  Belt slipping a bit?

Any suggestions?  

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,041]

Pto clutch could be slipping. Try shortening the rod/trunion 2 turns and see if it makes a difference.

The handle should snap down with a bit of authority.

[lynnmor 7,305]

The bearings in the mule drive were never intended to be greased, if somehow you can get some grease behind the seal without destroying it you are lucky.  The fix is to replace the pulleys with bearings.  The PTO is the likely problem.

[daveoman1966 3,751]

I know the pulley get stuck on the mule drive---very tough to get off without damage.  Here is my method.  I cut a 1" wide slot 6" deep in the top of my workbench made of 3/8" plate steel.  (1)Take the mule drive cover off. (2) slide the mule assembly inner pulley into the slot so the pulley lays flat on the surface. (3) thread the big cover retaining nut back on to where it is flat with the end of the shaft. (4) hold a ball peen or brass hammer on the flat of the big nut (5) whack that brass or ball peen with a bigger hammer. 

This hasn't failed me yet...  

[tunahead72 2,412]

@Gary S Minnesota I noticed you started a thread about this same problem back in May.  Did you try any of the suggestions there?  I would start by adjusting the PTO clutch like @gwest_ca recommended.

 

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Edit:

By the way, I would be interested in hearing if the slight rumble you mentioned in your other thread disappears after you adjust the PTO clutch.

 

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Edited September 11 by tunahead72

[peter lena 8,623]

@Gary S Minnesota  sounds like a LOT OF COLLECTIVE DRAG , bet that pto drive belt , barely moves BY HAND , IN DECK MOVEMENT ?  that bearing service really is not that bad , once you do a couple of RE GREASING  , cleanouts , the rotational  ease is ridiculous , most of those bearing types were made for ceiling fans , also has the light duty lubricant installed . its heat and load stress that kills the bearings , whining noise  , clutch screaming , is telling you of issue . easy to do the mule drive bearings , also did my pto lever set up , for snug movement ease , always look for WIDE BEARING SIDE GREASE SHIELDS , that the salvation point , easy removal  clean out  550 deg , polyurea grease , the exact  OPOSET  OF ORIGINAL SET UP  . done a number of deck set ups now , like KROIL for breaking rust , went after every hang up point , went  on to do many similar functional detailing , on my horses. pete  

[Gary S Minnesota 51]

Thank you all for your replies!   I tried shortening the rod/trunion (had done that in May).  Squeal is still there.  Slight rumble from the deck remains.  I assume it is from the motion of the spindles and blades.  I also tried moving the drive belt between the PTO and mule drive by hand. I  felt the belt moved and blades revolved without much effort.  I have found if I engage the blades (move the lever) VERY slowly I don’t hear the screach/squeal.  Think I’ll just have to live with it.  Also notice that the mule drive pulleys and the PTO pulley would appear to better align if the belt was placed in the “outer” PTO pulley rather than the inner pulley as prescribed.

All that being said, the 314-8 with the Koehler Command Pro is very capable machine.  48” deck is no problem for it!