Craftsman LT1000 riding mower, model 917.272761
About 5 years old, nothing but oil changes done on it

Started having issues when lawn got high while I was away. When I came back and tried to mow (even at highest setting), the blade would get bound up on the grass and kept stalling the mower. It would even give a small puff of white smoke and smell like burning rubber.

Each time I would stop, clean out the blade area, and let it cool down. This probably happened about 10 times over a period of a week or two.

Today I took it out to mow, and it was running fine. Then all of a sudden, it started shrieking something horrible. The horrible noise only occurs when the blades are engaged. I immediately shut it off. Checked the blade, but it was not obstructed. Noticed that the blade drive belt seemed incredibly loose.

Went to Sears, got a new V belt, and installed it.

Started the mower back up, engaged the blades, went about 10 feet. Horrible grinding noise again, and sparks coming out the left side of mower (left with me sitting on it). Shut it off right away. Noticed that it had dug up the ground where I had traveled (on the left side again).

However, there was nothing obstructing the blade, and when I remove the blade it does not appear to be bent. If I turn the left blade by hand, I can hear a grinding noise coming from the area where the blade is screwed into.

I have to get my hands on a "star" screwdriver, so I can open it up to get some pictures, but can anyone suggest what I should be looking most closely at? From the research I have done and from reading the owner's manual, it seems the most likely culprits are:

Bad mandrel bearings
An obstruction in the clutch
Frozen idler pulley
Frozen blade mandrel

Can someone help me debug which of these it might be? I don't know how to check these things, and can't find enough detail anywhere to help me.

Thank you so much in advance. I can take pics of whatever will help you help me! :)

-Vikki

<moved>

Vikki,
You can replace the entire spindle assembly through sears, or use aftermarket parts. The aftermarket parts may save you some $.

When you say the "entire spindle assembly", would that be this part on Sears.com?

Part #130794 | Mandrel assembly (includes housing, shaft, and shaft hardware only-pulley not included) | SearsPartsDirect.com from Sears

They refer to it as a "Mandrel assembly (includes housing, shaft, and shaft hardware only-pulley not included)", and I'm not clear if that's the same thing you're suggesting that I replace?

Thanks!

-Vikki

Vikki, I have this exact issue with my Craftsman DYT4000 42" mower minus the sparks. I noticed while mowing my front yard I could smell burning rubber. I looked under and saw the pulley (attached to the spring) smoking, so I figured the belts were slipping. I replaced the belt (FYI sears did not carry the belt I needed at their store- seems silly) that I found at Tractor Supply. Fit great (had to buy three to find the one that fit the best). I was so proud that I might of fixed it, but last night it started again. As I mow the grinding starts, it's so loud I shut the blades off and it stops. No idea what could be the problem. Did you find a fix for yours?

Had me thinking it might be the pulley with the spring attached (tensioner pulley maybe?)

Kev this is a old post from /08
But anyway .
Remove your belt and turn the pulleys one at a time by hand , you will hear the bad one it will growl,
LUCK

DG, thanks, yes, old threads= current help for me :) . I did spin the blades by hand last night (without the belt attached) and did notice one of them spun much 'rougher' then the other.

I'm guessing I should replace the mandrel housing as Vikki eluded too?

Found all the parts I needed online and will fit with new blades as well. Thanks for the help!