QuestionI recently became the owner of a John Deere 14sb walk behind lawnmower with a separate blade clutching mechanism. The mower had been left under a tarp outside for 2 years. I cleaned the carb and got it started but the remaining issues are that the blade clutch seems to be slipping in that under conditions of high grass, the blade stops and needs to be reengaged. While the drive belt seems a bit loose but the drive mechanisms works well enough. I also noticed a grinding sound (metal on metal) when the brake is applied. The underside is very rusted and I am unable to loosen the blade after many soakings with PB Blaster. Is there anything to be adjusted or freed up to remedy the blade clutch/brake since it seems the replacement parts are very expensive.
AnswerMost likely the clutch needs replacing. If any PB Blaster contacted the clutch friction plates then the clutch will slip. Yes, the clutches are pretty expensive. The clutch is held on by a allen headed bolt with a big flat washer manufactured on the bolt.
You almost need an impact gun to remove the bolt...there are other methods but the impact is the easiest. The clutch is spring loaded...I always get a second pair of hands to help when installing the clutch.
You may be able to remove the clutch and sand or roughen up the friction plates in an effort to increase the clutch performance.
we had a lot of trouble with the clutches a few years back and eventually started replacing the entire engine and getting rid of the BBC (blade brake clutch). Expensive, but our customers never had any more complaints about the clutch slipping. Most of our customers were commercial users who required their machines to run all day long...if the clutch kept slipping they were loosing money.
I think I would try cleaning/sanding the clutch to see if you can get it to work better but it will be a difficult job.
The drives on those units were very reliable. There is no adjustment on the drive belt...replace the belt if it is slipping.
Let me know if this helps.
Eric
