Lawnmowers depend on many components that unite to deliver the expected performance. Even if one of those components does not work properly, you may face certain issues while cleaning your yard. Among all the lawn mower components, the pulley is the main component with issues. And if this becomes your major issue, you do not want to continue with a poorly performing lawn mower.
Repairing a Lawnmower can be terrifying as it involves a lot of hard work in dismantling the components and checking all the minor parts to see whether they are properly working. Despite that, if you are following the right steps, it is possible to handle it effectively.
This guide supports you with the tools and guide needed to remove a pulley from a mower spindle. Keep reading the article for the step-by-step process.
Understanding The Mower Pulley And Spindle
Several types of lawn mower pulleys are used on a riding-style lawn mower. The size and types of pulleys vary from the engine and drive pulleys to the mowing deck and idler pulleys. These pulleys must be greased and maintained regularly.
A lawn mower uses three types of pulleys: sealed bearing pulleys, greaseable bearing type pulleys, and bearing free pulleys. Lawn mower pulleys are often multiple-grooved pulleys or ones that are hoarded together. The design of this pulley allows the engine to power the transmission and send power to the mock deck through another drive belt.
Most gas-powered lawnmowers use a belt or pulley to drive the blade. Each pulley style is used for specific purposes, and each contributes to the machine’s overall performance. The spindle is in the riding lawn mower, where the blade attaches and spins when the machine is in action.
A riding lawn mower can have one or more spindles depending on the size of the mower and how it was manufactured. A spindle is a rotating shaft with a fixture to hold a tool (in the case of milling, grinding, and drilling spindle) or a workpiece (in the case of a turning spindle).
A spindle in the mower deck is a component of a lawn mower that connects the blade to the mower’s deck. The spindle has two bearings that allow the blade to spin and a pulley that drives the belt through a belt.
Necessary Tools And Safety Precautions
You need to unscrew the pulley retaining bolt with a breaker bar and socket wrench or a pneumatic air gun and socket. A pneumatic air gun and socket are powerful tools that can help remove difficult bolts. But sometimes, it also results in the breakage of the bolts due to extra power. So, taking some safety precautions while removing the pulley from a mower spindle is important.
Here are some safety tips and the tools needed to undertake the operation.
- Before working on any part of the mower, including the spindle and pulley, always disconnect the spark plug wire to prevent accidental engine starts.
- You should wear safety glasses or goggles or a face shield (with safety glasses or goggles). Select a proper gear puller for each job.
- Use a block of wood or a blade lock tool to prevent the blade from rotating while removing the pulley. This will help prevent any accidental injuries.
- Faulty equipment should be avoided.
- Make sure to use a gear puller of the required size and thickness
- If it’s affordable and possible, use a 3-jaw puller.
- If the pulley is tightly fitted onto the spindle, you may need to use a pulley puller tool to safely remove it without damaging it.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Remove a Pulley From a Mower Spindle
Riding lawn mower decks are made with two to three mandrel pulleys depending on the number of cutting blades. The blade drive belt covers each pulley spinning it, which turns the blade. Mandrel pulleys don’t require regular greasing, but occasionally they wear out and must be replaced. Here is a step-by-step guide on removing a pulley from a mower spindle.
Step 1: Switch Off The Key Before Removing It From The Ignition
Switch off the key before removing it from the ignition. If the switch remains on then it may cause you danger. Like you may get hurt from the heating machine while opening it.
Step 2: Set The Machine on a Lower Break
Set the machine on a lower break and move the mower deck to its lowest position. This will help in keeping the mower in a stable position.
Step 3: Remove The Mower Deck
Remove the mower deck by pulling out the domestic spring or the spring locking pins (on some brands of mowers) from the component arms attaching the deck to the mower.
Step 4: Detach The Extension Spring
Detach the extension spring from the rod that controls the clutch, which turns the blades on and off by unhooking it.
Step 5: Roll The Deck Drive Belt Off The Engine Pulley
Roll the deck drive belt off the engine pulley attached to the mower. Rolling will keep it settled in one place rather than messing up.
Step 6: Pull The Deck Out From Under The Mower
Pull the deck out from under the mower by seizing the deck on the side with the grass chute and pulling between the front and rear wheel towards you.
Step 7: Spray Some Greasing Oil on The Flange Nut
Spray some greasing oil on the flange nut holding the mandrel pulley to the spindle. Then allow it to react for 2 to 3 minutes before removing the nut.
Step 8: Lift The Mower Deck
Lift the mower deck, place a large block of wood in front of the blades, and put another block behind them. It will keep the blades stationary when removing the flange nut.
Step 9: Remove The Rim Nut
Using a wrench, remove the rim nut from the top of the pulley. Turn the nut clockwise direction to remove it. If you have trouble breaking the nut loose, reapply the penetrating oil.
Step 10: Lift The Pulley From The Spindle
Lift the pulley from the spindle to remove it. And after that remove the spacer which is situated under the pulley. Hence your work is over.
FAQ’s
Ans: Spindle pulleys help smooth the rotations of blades to ensure a clean and consistent cut of lawns. Spindle pulleys and the spindle are important to the mower-cutting deck.
Ans: A puller is a tool that helps remove the bearings, pulleys, or gears, from a shaft. They have legs, mainly two or three, which circle the back or inside of a part, and they also have a forcing screw that centers up against the end of a shaft.
Ans: If the driven pulley is open, the speed will automatically decrease. Conversely, as the drive pulley is closed, the drive pulley will increase in speed.
Ans: A good spindle lasts at least 10 to 15 years.
Conclusion
I hope the step-by-step guide will make removing a pulley from a mower spindle much easier. But remember to take safety precautions and use the necessary tools when you undertake the task.
Do let’s know in the comments if you have found our guide helpful.