Lawn Mower Question - Middle Blade doesn't spin

I have a cub cadet, 46" mower with three blades in the deck.

When I am mowing, the center blade does not appear to be spinning.

The outside two blades mow, the center leaves an uncut strip.

When I stop, and shut off the mower. I can reach under and the blade turns freely and doesn't appear to have obstructions.

I have gotten off the mower and engaged the mower and all appear to turn from above.

My first thought is that the deck belt (lower - the one that spins the spindles) is worn (has never been replaced...500+ hours) and needs to replaced?

Thoughts? Am I overlooking anything?
 
You didn't happen to replace the blades and put the middle one in backwards? Just looking at all the he possibilities......

Does the same belt power all three spindles, thrn it wouldn't be the belt unless it is routed wrong, or that middle spindle is driven with a very short overlap of belt compared to the other 2.

Paul
 
Test on short light area of lawn with little resistance, does it now there but it is slipping on heavy wet areas?

Have someone else drive it and observe from a safe distance/ side, is the spindle turning on all three as they now?

Is the middle spindle loose, is the blade not seated right and loose, etc etc.

Have to go through the paces of what is or isn't happening.

Paul
 
There are several different possibilities. The pulley may be frozen or the pulley bearing shot; the spindle shot. you need to pull the deck and check it out.
 
When you turned the blade by hand, it should not turn more freely than the others. You should feel the belt gripping, trying to turn the other 2 blades. It will probably grip better trying to turn it backward, as that will tend to pull the belt tighter. If it slips, look at the bottom of the pulley groove. If it is shiny, the belt is running in the bottom of the V and not gripping the sides as it should. Either the belt is worn or the pulley is worn. There is usually a spring loaded tensioner, be sure it is holding tension, not frozen on it's pivot, jammed, or loose.

Also watch to see if the pulley is turning with the blade, might need to hold the pulley and turn the blade, you should not be able to turn the blade without the pulley turning. Could be a loose blade, loose pulley, sheared key.
 
When you reach under and the blade turns freely, do the other 2 blades turn also? When everything is correct one blade cannot turn without the other 2 moving because as you say they are powered by ONE belt.
 
If it's like my Cub the pulley centers are serrated and fit in what looks like small gear teeth on the spindle. Have had the teeth shear off a pulley when the wife hit an unmovable object. Found new pulley on Amazon, ordered two and so far not needed the second one.
 
Another tip on those belts. If you want to spend a few bucks. Go to tractor supply and pick up one of those BLUE Kevlar belts. Real BIG difference. Very pleased with one I bought.
 
(quoted from post at 15:41:41 07/22/17) If you want a really big difference start using OEM belts.

OP said he has never replaced the belt. That tells me that it was OEM.
 
Correct. Original belt, bought replacement (OEM) last summer, my dad swung by dealer for me, couldn't remember which I needed, so grabbed both...figured I
could get a little more time out of the original...
 

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