r/JohnDeereLawnMachines

I’ve installed the mulching kit and would like to remove the chute. It looks like JD put some serious engineering to making that nearly impossible. I would settle for something that would permanently jam it open.

The problem is that the chute scrapes against my fence gate.

My best solution so far is to prop it open with some threaded rod. Need to get a couple nuts to lock it vertical (this prototype pictured is my wood gluing threaded rod). I would also wrap the other end with foam or flex seal to protect the chute. I’m just not sure how much damage this will do over time to that little black plate it would be bolted to. I could design a springy version if I had no other options.

Has anyone else been here before?

What is wrong? The grass wasn’t long. The blades are the gator mulching blades. I’d prefer distributed grass clippings not the rows I am seeing.

Pulled these original blades off a tractor with 560hours and they look pretty rough would a really good sharpening be good enough or are these too far gone to be saved?

So my mower deck went to a screeching halt while cutting grass when the bolt came off of this pulley , and bent the bolt shaft so I’m curious, does anyone know if this is an easy fix or something I need to get cut off and welded back on?

I’ve been out here reading about similar problems and possible solutions, but no luck yet. My problem started about 3 weeks ago when the mower was running perfectly before.

First, I wanted to get your thoughts on the difference between a real D125 repaired by Chickanic and the JD diagram by John Deere for a D125. See the two pics.

Unless my belt is inside out, chickanic’s belt is correct based on the direction of the V on the belt.

Here is what I’ve done so far:

1. New drive belt
2. New spline pulley
3. On 5/4, new hydrostatic fan (I destroyed the other one trying to get the snap ring off!).
4. On 5/4, new “inserts” in the groove of each tire (although I’ve read that is not needed on the D125).

I’ve watched dozens of videos and tried many things.

A few things worth mentioning:

1. I can push the mower with the disengagement lever in or out.
2. The bearings are good in the idler pulley.

I have a Cub Cadet that I’m getting back from a tune-up tomorrow, but I’d really like to figure this out rather than pay someone else.

HELP!! 😁