deck vibration

[Talntedmrgreen 1,978]

Looking for any tips on diagnosing a vibration in my deck...I'm almost thinking a balance issue of some sort.

Deck is in nice shape, and It cuts like a dream. The bearings feel great. No noise, other than a light drumming, and I can feel the shimmy. I've mowed a few times with it, and it is not worsening, but I simply cannot find the issue. Deck has Gators, like new. Thought maybe the belt was missing a chunk, but it too, is like new. Pulley's look good and everything feels good by hand. There is no metal to metal contact occurring, that's for sure.

I've had a noisy spindle requiring bearings before, but luckily, that's the extent of my issues with any decks. It leaves me inexperienced with troubleshooting them, however.

[gigabyte01 0]

My Gator blades were out of balance when they were new, I would start there. After I balanced them any vibration was virtually eliminated.

[BLT 718]

Take your blades off and screw the blade adaptors back on with flat washers taking the place of the blades. Then engage the deck and see what happens. I own a Magna Matic http://www.magna-matic.com/mag-1000g-features.html blade balancer. It checks blade for strait and balance. The balance bearing is so precise that 3 or 4 fishing hooks will cause the blade to rotate when placed on a 21" blade.

[fishnwiz 3,290]

I have found the Gators to be prone to causing vibrations on some tractors. While I have been able to lessen the vibration with balancing, I myself have not been able to totally eliminate it. JMO.

Good luck.

[ShaunE 1,271]

BLT is right on the money. I have a Magna-Matic balancer as well. If your blades are balanced on one of these, your spindle bearings may just last forever.

[farmtoybuilder 4]

Get rid of the Gator Blades and your problem will go away.

[fishnwiz 3,290]