Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Hi all, I have a Craftsman lawn tractor. I was mowing this weekend and noticed a fine orange/rust color powder on one side of the mower. The "dust" appears under the hood, along the outside and in the wheel well. The tractor was purchased new this season. Any ideas of what it could be? I took a good look at the engine during operation to see if I could find where its coming from but didnt see anything.

Thanks!

"OOmpaloompa" thats funny!

The lawn is 4 years old, some of it does appear on my shoe but only on the side where this "dust" is coming from. I'm afraid that something internally is not quite right and it is grinding against something......but what I don't know.....what is orangish in the mechanics of a lawn tractor that could be rubbing against something and possible causing this.    If it is a disease, wouldn't  I be able to see it in the lawn, not just when I am mowing?

Thank you for your help