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Two problems with Scotts John Deere Mower

18 years ago

Hi I have a L17.542 John Deere Mower made for Scotts. I bought this used and have a couple of things that I need assistance with.

1) The two front tires are "pigeon toed". Meaning that when parked with the wheels straight the two front tires are pointing inward. I'd like to get these wheels so that they are straight as I've seen most every other riding mower along with my first JD mower...

2) the second problem is that the mower has an annoying intermittent vibration when mower blades are engaged. I removed the blades and sharpened/balanced them but no difference. I am not sure what could be causing it but could use some ideas. The best way to describe it is that it vibrates every second. When the deck is disengaged the mower is smooth and quiet.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Chris

Comments (9)

  • 18 years ago

    First problem: no problem. If the wheels were both pointed straight ahead, you'd have steering problems whenever you decided to drive up your driveway. Toe-in is what the thing is that you are seeing. Not all machines have the same degree of "toe-in" but most of them have it, unless, from careless driving something gets bent, as on a car or truck steering assembly.
    Second problem: Caused by worn spindles on the mower deck. Caused by hitting something with one of the blades. Or lack of lubricant. Remedy? Find out which spindle, and replace it! Does your machine have grease fittings on the mower deck spindles? Spindles are the things that the belt turns, and what the blades are attached to, underneath the deck.

  • 18 years ago

    For the vibration, I'd inspect the deck drive belt to see if a "chunk" is missing.

  • 18 years ago

    Ill second what Bill said, I had a craftsman with the same vibration you describe and it turned out the belt was badly warn in just one part and it caused the tension on the belt to go up and down because the belt would sink more into the pulley when it hit the warn spot.

  • 18 years ago

    Rusty: Really? This seems to really have a lot more toe in than any mower I have seen. I will have to take a picture and post it somewhere. If it's normal, ok but it doesn't look like any of the new mowers at Lowes or the John Deere dealer.

    As for the second problem with the vibration I will inspect the belts a lot more. The mower only has around 64 hours on it so I'd be surprised if the spindles are worn. I thought of something being bent but I like the sound of the belt not being even. Someone here had mentioned that a belt may be loose but they seemed pretty tight. I will inspect for any damage and will post what I find.

  • 18 years ago

    A "chunk" might be exaggerating a bit, but you get the idea.
    Also, look at the pullies to see if one picked up something that is sticking to it.

    Sometimes harmonics can play strange tricks on the ears, so look at other less likely things too.
    Think of 2 different sized pullies with each having some crud built up in a spot. Maybe once a second, they are both orientated so that the "crud" is exerting maximum tension on the belt. Think along those lines too.

  • 15 years ago

    I am selling a 17.642 scotts by John Deere. Great condition and well maintained. All manuals and two grass catcher. What would be a hood price.

  • 10 years ago

    Burn spot on belt.you cant see it but the hardening can cause vibration as well.

  • 6 years ago

    I just bought a Scott 17.0/42” I only paid 100$ so I don’t think I got hurt there however didn’t come with a battery so I couldn’t hear it run well I brought it home and put a battery in it and it fired right up but it ran wild I thought maybe it had thrown a spring off the governor but that wasn’t the problem I moved the rod that goes from the front butterfly to the governor and it pulled up so I lifted up on it and it came all the way out so I took the carb off and th butterfly was missing it was in the head I got it out with a magnet but I couldn’t find the screws Im wondering if I need to pull the head off to make sure they’re not in there and if the motor is even any good it seems to sound pretty good despite the running wild and is this a common problem


  • 6 years ago

    The screws tend to either blow out into the muffler or wedge themselves on top of the piston-which you would hear as they bang against the head. So you're probably fine. The new screws will have a thread locker on them. They come loose every now and then.