I just bought a newer Husqvarna 54'' deck with a 24 hp B&S Intek V-twin. I just replaced all the madlrels, pulleys, blades and belts because now when you engage the deck it about kills the engine. I have killed the engine when engaging the blades but only once or twice. It just seems like the motor just isnt powerful enough to start the blades. Ive had it for two months now and I have never had a problem with it until now. What could be wrong? The unit only has 109 hours on it. The engine has had 4 oil changes but still has the original b&s plugs. Dutch

With the engine off and the blades disengaged, do the blades spin easily by hand??

yes they do.

Sounds like there could be a problem with the engine's governor, when the engine experiences sudden load the governor should pull the throttle open to make up for power loss. If the throttle doesn't open the engine could stall.
Check the linkage connecting the carb to the governor arm, make sure it moves freely and isn't binding.

Are you sure you have the blade drive belt routed correctly and that it's not binding on a bracket or guide when you engage the blades??

yeah theres even a pic of how the belt is being routed on the deck. Its just weird, because it was working fine not too long ago, and now theres a bad shake in the deck when the blades are engaged. I counted how long it took today for the blades to get going from dead stop to full power once the switch is pulled and it took 7 seconds. Usually its pull and go right away. You dont think it could be the clutch already do you? Dutch

Im not sure of your specific pulley configeration but I would check for any idler pullieys that may be loose of seized. I recently worked on a mower at school where the bearing in the idler pulley exploded and the loose pulley started to cut into the shaft it was held on. The mower was a commercial model, I cant remember the name but it had similar problems u describe.

It sounds like somethings in a bind, are there any brakes on the blade that are not disengaging?

It's possible that you could have a bearing going out on the clutch, but I have never seen an electric clutch have that kind of issue even when they are worn out.

Why did you replace the spindles??

Yes there are brakes on the outside pulleys on the decks and I think that might be the problem come to think of it. When I was putting the new spindles on one of the brakes was holding pretty tight. I replaced one of the pulleys because the belt was starting to separate it and it was getting way wobbly. I hit a pipe in the yard with the other side so I just bought all new assemblies and blades. Thanks guys, ill let you know how it goes tomorrow. Dutch

P.s. Im sure this isnt the last that you've heard of me as ive got 16 tractors that all sorts of people keep giving me, im starting to make some money from what these people throw out. Sad. Dutch

Theres no binding in the deck at all but isnt the pulley on the clutch suppose to spin freely with the belt off? I can turn it by hand but it wont spin freely,the one on my cub does. It seems to be grinding on something. Dutch

Theres no binding in the deck at all but isnt the pulley on the clutch suppose to spin freely with the belt off? I can turn it by hand but it wont spin freely,the one on my cub does. It seems to be grinding on something. Dutch
Most electric PTO clutches incorporate a brake to stop the blades from spinning, so they do have a drag on them when they are not engaged.