547cc MTD riding on Husqvarna 48'' deck

[oil pan 4]

With the fe3600 oil filter it holds nearly 2qt now. Filled it up with Castrol GTX classic car 20w-50.
Got to 3.5hr and burned up a blade spindle and caught it on fire.
It will need a new spindle and a couple of belts.

 

[Lockasiam]

blade spindle and caught it on fire.

Was it greaseable?

 

[oil pan 4]

Was it greaseable?

It was not. I could have disassembled the spindle gently removed the grease seal cover and slopped some fresh grease in there or added a drop of 140wt gear oil but I wanted to get it going.
I'll buy a new spindle today, new blade drive belt and new blade drive pulleys all around. I may pull apart the other 2 spindles.

 

[oil pan 4]

It turns out that the spindle that caught fire, next to the discharge chute was just a victim. The real problem was middle spindle locked up solid like cement was used as bearing lube.
I've got all new drive pulleys so if the blades stop it will stall the engine and not burn up a belt.
If I can remove the spindle without breaking off the bolts I can put new bearings in it.
I broke 4 out of 4 bolts off in the fire spindle so I had to put my spare spindle in there.

 

[oil pan 4]

Replaced the pulleys that were warn to a U shape with new V shapes ones.
New 5/8 belts. No more 1/2 inch weak sauce belt. Governor turned up to 3,500rpm.
Ran for 2hrs, did great, no stalls.
Total so far:
$325 for engine.
$50 for the deck.
$60 for belts.
$45 for spindle.
$80 for 4 pulleys.