Update: Good news...I think! Here's what's happened today: First, I checked the routing of the belt and verified that it was correct. Check. No blue marks on the belt. So I proceeded to take the deck off. Done. Started the mower...no smoking from the engine. Check. I then proceeded to put the deck back on. During this process it dawned on me that there was one thing that I had unnecessarily removed the first time that wasn't in the same spot as it appeared to be in the manual (the first time I removed the deck I pretty much removed every pin I found). I'm not sure what it is, but it was a rod (bent on each end) that was connected to the deck that seems to move (slide) a couple of parts on top of the deck. All I know is that when I looked at the mower assembly guide in the manual, it should have been connected from the deck to the back of the deck where another rod is also anchored (for the clutch?). Anyway, I put it on and reattached everything else. So I started the mower...everything ok so far. Let it warm up and bit and started to drive around. Ok. Then I engaged the mower. Seemed ok. So I started mowing the backyard. Other than running out of gas it was fine and I mowed the whole back yard! Well, I wish I could remember where I had connected that rod (by pin) the the first time so maybe it would make sense to you all what I had done wrong, but the main thing is I think I'm ok - for the moment! It started raining again so I'll have to finish the yard at another time. Thank you so much to you that offered advice. I was pretty much ready to give up before I posted this, and your input motivated me to keep trying. Jeremy

You really should pull the deck- (it is really easy) and inspect for damage. You could have broken a leg on a deck spindle, hopped the belt or worse.

I agree with you 100% I have a 60" deck on my JD650 and it just goes right along...the only thing I wish is that I could mow faster without it tossing me off.

Okay guys, i REALLY appreciate the help. I'm new to lawn tractors (my first, and WAS so happy to have it, cuz .7acres with a 22" push is balls!) ... but help me out a little more, puh-lease! I think what ya'll are telling me is that the "mandrell" is probably shot? Check out this schematic: http://tinyurl.com/murrayparts What specifically are ya'll thinking? I hear bearings and i *know* that is in the mandrell ... it is $29.95 on that site, but this one here (http://tinyurl.com/altmandrell)has it for $17. SWEET. Looks like "mandrell", "blade housing" and "spindle assembly" are all terms for the same part, part 492574. Looking at that part, i can see how it would get fudged on impact. Reckon everything else is probably salvageable. Just nuts and bolts. No pun intended. Guess it probably woudn't hurt to just go order the spindle\jackshaft too, for another $10. From what i'm guessing it could be bent too. This looks like its a simple operation. Bolt unscrews on either end. Pull washers and spacers out, replace, reassemble? Put new blades on while i'm at it,too. huh? Thanks for all the tips and help. -Nick-