Cut the grass today with a new old stock 44" Piranha mulching deck on my GT225. Before I installed it, the spindles seemed kind of tight. I greased them, but I'm assuming they are lubed from the factory as well. I could move the three spindles by hand by working the belt, but it took a little more effort than I thought it would. I cut about 1/2 the yard (about 1/2 acre) and the spindles were pretty hot when I stopped. I could tell the tractor was working a little harder turning this deck than my other used decks I have (42 to 48").

This is the first new JD lawn/garden tractor deck I've ever owned - always bought used equipment expect for a new push mower probably 20 yrs ago.

Should the spindles be this tight new? Is there are a break-in period to be expected? I like the 44M - nice cut, 4 deck wheels and pretty quiet - that must be do to the short length of the blades.

Any insight would be appreciated.