Sounds like the drive belts may need some looking at.

When it slows is it cutting or bogging down like the mower is going to cut out? It's a difference in what to look for.

 

The engine doesn't act like it wants to stop running but the reel and drive just basically needs help getting through the grass. And even sometimes when you engage the reel you have to kind of give it a little push to get the mower going

 

The engine doesn't act like it wants to stop running but the reel and drive just basically needs help getting through the grass. And even sometimes when you engage the reel you have to kind of give it a little push to get the mower going

Check the belts… it's slipping or worn somewhere.

Check the drive belts for damage, they are cogged so shouldn't. Past that look at the belts under the cover. We have a toro thread for any issues and diagrams to look at.

 

the side reel drive belt has teeth, you could have sheared some off and when it tries to start in that position it needs manual push forward to catch the next section of teeth on the belt.

Agree with above, pull the housing off the side and check the belt, post pics. If you see shavings in the housing, its probably the belt.

 

Flip up the black belt cover on top and check the tension on the two belts engage the drive lever and watch to see if you notice any slippage while running with reel and without. Might be you just need readjustment of the belts to tension them up. Also the engine itself might need to be repositioned on the mount..pulled back in other words.

 

Flip up the black belt cover on top and check the tension on the two belts engage the drive lever and watch to see if you notice any slippage while running with reel and without. Might be you just need readjustment of the belts to tension them up. Also the engine itself might need to be repositioned on the mount..pulled back in other words.

This. (What he said!)

If a machine (ANY machine) has a V-Belt drive with a moving tension idler as a clutch, chances are it needs adjustment. Check condition of the belts before making major adjustments or else you could end up chasing a moving target.

 

What others have said...the belts are slipping. I had exact same thing happen to my gm1600. I tightened the belts (it was just two nuts on the cable actuator), and it worked like a charm.

 

The belts etc all need to be in good shape and adjusted properly...however make sure you're cutting at the 1/3 rule or less..greensmowers have very little space between the reel frame and back area of the reel itself. Greens mowers are made to cut grass daily at less than 1/8" which most if all of home owners obviously don't do. expelling 1/8" grass is easy but cutting from 3/4" to 1/2" produces way more grass clippings Once you get past a 1/2" the clipping become substantial and get clogged up behind the reel and frame causing the bog down and can even stop the reel from spinning.

 

So here are the two belts i took pictures of tonight. The other belt looks in just as good of shape

 

Where are you located in OK? Does your guy sharpen reels?

 

You ever figure out the issue?