Craftsman LT1000 Deck issues help!

18 years ago

Hello everyone, I recently received a 1999 Craftsman LT1000 Hydrostatic lawn tractor from a local dealer for $50 Everything on it is fine except the deck has issues.

The problem I am having is the deck will give me a good rattling noise when its engaged and the deck is at the highest level. When I lower the deck to start cutting the grass the noise goes away about 50% but I can still hear it.

I already replaced both blades and 1 spindle because it was slightly bent. The previous owner played with the 4 deck adjustments, 2 on the front control arms and the 2 on the left and right lift arms. So my guess is the deck is not level and is bouncing all over the place but I don't know how I should go about re-adjusting the deck into specs. Is there some kind of procedure from craftsman?

Thanks if you can help me it would be most appreciated.

Model # 917.270820

42" Deck Mulching/discharge blades

19.5hp B&S engine

-Justin

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Comments (7)

bill_kapaun
18 years ago
Here's an owners manual for a 917.270821
Deck is the same PN, su I assume....

http://www.managemyhome.com/mmh/lis_pdf/OWNM/98080210.pdf
justin3
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks Bill that helped out alot, I will try adjusting and see how it works then.
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crazyeddie
18 years ago
It sounds to me like another spindle. When the bearings go, the spindle gets loose and rattles. The grass cutting helps to minimize movement
justin3
Original Author
18 years ago
Well today I made my adjustments according to the sears manual and now the cut quality is almost as good as my John Deere and thats hard to believe for a craftsman! Yet unfortunately the noise coming from the deck is still there and its driving me crazy.
Alright so heres what I also checked today. Both spindles are straight, both blades are straight, there is no side to side or up and down play in any of the spindle bearings.. I spun the spindles to high speed with an air wrench and the bearings sound normal with no grinding or binding. I even checked the idler pullies and they spin freely with good bearings and no play.

The only thing I noticed is that it looks as if the pulley I reused on the new spindle is slightly warped or bent almost compared to the other one on the other side? Before I replace it do any of you think that could be the problem there?

Thanks
bill_kapaun
18 years ago
You might consider swapping blades to the opposite sides to see if that makes a difference.
Check the balance when you have them off. Maybe the hole isn't in the middle?
njdpo
18 years ago
let me tell you a story.

this is difficult to explain clearly ...

I worked on an old sears with a banged up / warped pulley. This pulley was warped in a way that the distance between the sides of the pulley were not consistent and the belt would rise and fall at xyz RPM.

This situation had the belt tensioner vibrating like crazy ... sounded terrible at some given RPM ...

New pulley, consistent bladed tension, no rattling ... life is good on the little old sears.

good luck...
ROGER_HURLEY_HOTMAIL_COM
15 years ago
HEY GUYS I HAVE A 42" LT1000 GREEN ONE NOT SURE OF YEAR BUT ITS 42" DECK,I NEED TO KNOW WHERE THE CABLESPRING ATTACHES AT UNDERNEATH TO GET THE CUTTER WORKING,I TOOK OFF LAST WINTER BUT FORGOT WHERE IT GOES,DOES ANYONE HAVE A DIAGRAM I CAN FOLLOW PLEASE THNKS.