Variable pulley system does not swivel easily. the pulley itself turns freely but not the swivel. should i just use some WD40?

Everything is driven by the crankshaft pulley at the bottom and is by far the hardest to turn, but it is the driving pulley.

The alternator should turn easily.

The steering pump should turn easily.

The water pump should turn easily.

The AC Compressor is harder.

The Idler and Tensioner should spin freely.

All pulleys should have no discernable lateral movement that would cause wobble. All the pulley should be in alignment with each other. The tensioner should not be TOO tight.

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Your model is a shift on the go or varidrive. Not a transmission in the true sense . I have had to give the variable pulley a few shots of oil to get the pulley to work freely up and down.This video will help you understand the workings of your drive unit. How the MTD Varidrive system works Variable Speed Pulley Maintenance

Do you find that the wheels are jammed and won't rotate, thus causing the vac to go to theleft or right or just have to be dragged along forward?Try wd40 to see if it will allow the wheels to rotate freely.

Without hearing the noise I can't tell you for sure but take a spray can of WD40 and with the engine running spray some on the belts if noise goes way that's your problem, if not check the A/C (if you have A/C) the compressor may be binding up causing the belt to squeal due to friction from the tight compressor. To check the compressor remove the belt and turn the A/C pulley by hand (should turn freely) next turn on the key (do not start engine) turn on A/C then turn A/C pulley by hand again. It will be harder to turn but still relativity easy. If it is hard to turn it is beginning to bind.

If it's an idler pulley, where the belt changes direction from the engine - yes it should turn freely. If it's a double pulley where the drive pulley from the engine connects with the deck/blade pulley, then it it's not going to turn totally free because of the blade pulleys connected to it. But in all cases, none of the pulleys should be seized. Try using WD40 or PB Blaster on the pulley bearing surface to loosen it up - or a new pulley...

The front belt should be a 954-0280A, rear 954-0370. When you go to higher gears, the front belt should be getting tighter as the vari-speed pulley is moving further back. Remove the shift plate, put the transmission in neutral. Start the engine, put speed selector in highest gear and slowly let out on the clutch. You should be able to see what the problem is. It will do everything the same as if were in gear, except move. Make sure you have the correct belts.

Use a 12 inch 1/4 inch drive extension.

glad you got it fixed without much expense, all's well that ends well.

There is a variable speed pulley that is a double pulley....one belt from engine to pulley and one from pulley to transaxle....remove both belts...pushing in the clutch will help with removal....remove o ring on top of pulley and pull up......the middle piece of metal is stuck....this piece is meant to slide up and down.....put the middle piece of metal on your pulley in your vice...wd40 the hell out of the shaft on pulley .....grasp the top with one hand and the bottom with your other hand...work the stuck pulley free.....put lithium grease on shaft...reinstall....done

Removed the wheels and gave a little spray of WD40 lubricant, the wheels swivel perfectly now - very easy!