GR2120-2 + GCK54-GR bogging down...

[HoCoMDVol]

I have an issue that has cropped-up over the last month or so when using my GR equipped with the noted Kubota bagger. This has come up only recently and I'm stumped on it, so hoping the collective here may have some insight.

I took some riveting videos of my oldest son driving around to troubleshoot this, and I'm going to attempt to link them in here for viewing/input. Below would be pertinent details on what you see:

1. "No Blades": Just the motor running.
2. "Blades Only": The blades are engaged, but I do not have the belt from the right blade spindle to the blower installed.
3. "Blades + Blower": Same as 2, but I do have the belt installed so the blower is in active use.
   • It is at the ~1:45 mark that you'll hear the first time it boggs down.
4. "Blades + Blower opposite direction": Same as 3 but going in the opposite direction. Performed to just triple-check nothing amiss with the the Glide Steer mechanism.

For all of the videos:

• The deck is at my normal cutting/bagging height of 3.5in.
• Full-throttle is being used
• Full-pedal on the hydrostat is being used
• Full tank of good diesel

Towards the blower specifically:

• I can spin both the deck blades and the blower by hand by pulling the belts. I feel no resistance that seems over excessive.
• I can see plenty of daylight when looking down through the chute into the blower
• I can also reach-in and spin the impeller just fine when the blower is off the deck. I also feel no contact/rubbing of the impeller inside the housing.

Any thoughts? I think I've got this narrowed-down to the Blower as the culprit, but still scratching my head on the root cause given what I know. Any feedback is appreciated, thanks!

 

[rentthis]

You don't really say what the mower isn't doing. I'm assuming the blower isn't blowing. If so, check to see if the blower fan is slipping on the shaft for some reason.

 

[HoCoMDVol]

You don't really say what the mower isn't doing. I'm assuming the blower isn't blowing. If so, check to see if the blower fan is slipping on the shaft for some reason.

See video 3 and 4

 

[lugbolt]

what's it doing? Or not doing? Videos are inconclusive. Tried listening best I could but phone cameras don't pick up sound all that great, and combine that with computer speakers not being great (2D) you can't tell much.

Is it bogging down?
Is the blower not blowing?
Deck not turning?
Engine running ok?
Travel speed slowing down?
Not steering very well?
Leaking?
Too slow?
Too fast?
?

 

[HoCoMDVol]

Root cause of troubles described = starving the engine of fuel. Zero to do with the blower unit.

Took it to Messicks in PA and they found the first in-line fuel filter (the one hidden under the fender) was clogged with general dust and other particulates, nothing out of the ordinary. They were original to the unit from 2018 and had not been touched since then.

There was the thought that perhaps algae/bacteria growth was occurring in my diesel can and in the tank, but not so after inspection. First time having a diesel powered anything, and I had no idea s%^t could grow in diesel!

Change the filter every couple of years, use a biocide (Killem) alongside my fuel conditioner (Sta-Bil) on a routine basis and should be all good.