blade brake in mower clutch

[J Burns]

A few days ago while chopping leaves with my riding mower, I heard a bit of a whine above the sound of the motor and blades. The bearings on the belt-tension pulley had failed, and the whole assembly was turning on the bolt.

I replaced it, then found noise and severe drag on the PTO pulley. I was afraid it was dirty, dry bearings. I wondered why the drag didn't keep the belt turning with the clutch disengaged. It seemed noisier than the bad pulley. I wondered why I couldn't hear it over the motor.

Aha! When I turn the crankshaft with a wrench, the pulley doesn't move. It's not bad bearings or a dragging clutch. It's a blade brake! Dang, now I've got to get all muddy putting the deck back on.

Why didn't you ladies and gentlemen tell me electric mower clutches had blade brakes? I'm going to have to file a report on this. What's the complaint address for alt.home.repair?

[Ed Pawlowski]

Please file the appropriate forms and mail with your check, payable to Mr.Cash, for $25 to:

Moderator Alt.home.repair PO box 69

[J Burns]

I was under the impression that I would be receiving compensation, which of course I will donate to my favorite charity. If I could send it by registered email, that would save me a stamp, and I'd get my award a little quicker.

[Ed Pawlowski]

You will get the award once your file is reviewed and approved. The $25 fee is for administration. To expedite your payment, be sure to include you bank account number and routing number. To avoid conflicts of deposits, let us know what day you get paid too, just so we don't confuse the bank.

[J Burns]

I gave them my bank account number and routing number when I signed up for alt.home.repair, so they could pay me. I prefer to make long posts because they promised me 37 cents a word.

Now I can live high on the hog. I just replaced the stiff old 3' hose on my pump-up sprayer with a limber new 5' hose. I'll use it only at night so the neighbors won't see I'm a rich snob.

When my accountant goes over my bank statements to do my taxes, I'll ask how much I've made so far.