Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): electric pto on cub cadet 1220 lawnmower, cub cadet mowers, air gap

Question
Hi Paul: Ive adjusted my electric pto air gap to .017" just like it says in the manual, but my clutch keeps slipping when i am into the thicker grass. Checked the resistance in the coil and it is within acceptable range. When the clutch slips, all I have to do is pick up the deck and presto, the blades spool up to speed. Had this unit off and on 4 times tonight. Almost ready for a lawnmower bonfire. (just kidding) Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer
Usually a PTO clutch doesn't slip once it is engaged.
Raising the mower deck doesn't increase the magnetic force or close the air gap.
When I gap an electric PTO clutch I ignore the manual and gap it at .010. See if this solves your problem.
If it doesn't help replace the deck idler spring it could be getting week.Also check the belt well. This a common source of slippage. The main thing to look at isn't the condition of the rubber. Look closely at the thickness of the belt, this is where they wear out. The belt should ride very high in the sheaves.If the belt rides deep in the sheaves it is only using the face of the belt to pull the blades. A good belt uses the sides for power. An easy way to tell if the belt is the problem is too look at the pulleys themselves. If the pulleys are shiny in the center of the v you need a new belt.
If all else fails you may have to slow down your ground speed for the first couple of mowing.
Where I work we use Cub Cadet mowers as kindling to get the worn out John Deeres to burn.