Taylor Pittsburgh 240 rotary cutter troubles

[Conservation]

I cut pretty hilly and rough terrain with my rough cut mower. Suddenly, I have a problem with the blates hitting the top of the mower in the front. It seemed to start doing it just after burrying it pretty good in a mount of dirt on uneven terrain. It doesn't seem as though you can bend the blades, which seem to be hardened. It looks like they would snap. What do I check on this thing? The blades seem to naturally come closer at the front than the back anyhow, but touching is obviously too close. Help please! I need to get back to mowing before I have a jungle. It doesn't seem to it all the time now, just when it gets to close to the ground or in a lot of grass.

 

[sweettractors]

3 things to look at: 1 the blades got bent and will need to be replaced. 2 The bridge that the gearbox mounts to (4 bolts) got bent and will need some serious straightening. 3 the gearbox bolts have worked loose. Ken Sweet

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

3 things to look at: 1 the blades got bent and will need to be replaced. 2 The bridge that the gearbox mounts to (4 bolts) got bent and will need some serious straightening. 3 the gearbox bolts have worked loose. Ken Sweet

Good info. Keep one hand on the 3 pt lever to raise it anytime you hear or see stuff you don't want to cut.

 

[Conservation]

Bolts are tight, but I need to check out the mount being bent like you say. That will sure be stout to straighten if it is indeed bent. Time to sweat.
The hills get me every time. Some of the dips are so sudden that the travel of the 3 point won't quite cover it. I imagine that the blade should be parrellel on the top and bottom parts. If not, then they are probably bent.(the blades have an offset.)
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I needed someone to breath some life back into my motivation on this project.

 

[sweettractors]

Bolts are tight, but I need to check out the mount being bent like you say. That will sure be stout to straighten if it is indeed bent. Time to sweat.
The hills get me every time. Some of the dips are so sudden that the travel of the 3 point won't quite cover it. I imagine that the blade should be parrellel on the top and bottom parts. If not, then they are probably bent.(the blades have an offset.)
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I needed someone to breath some life back into my motivation on this project.

I forgot 1 thing, The stumpjumper or blade carrier could be bent. If that is the case, I would expect the blades to ride high in the back as well as the front. Ken Sweet

 

[Conservation]

I was kind of afraid of that, but there is plenty of clearance in the back. Which would kind of imply (maybe only in my mind) that the blades are ok too. Which leaves the mount. Should the blades be pretty much equal distance from the top on front and back?

 

[sweettractors]

Yes, they should run about the same from the deck front and back. Ken Sweet

 

[Damifino]

I would raise mower high enough to crawl under it, with tractor off and rear of mower supported, just in case, crawl under and grab the stump jumper.

That is the round metal bowl looking thing the blades are attached, try and wiggle with both hands grabbing pan at 3:00 & 9:00.

If there is no slop then as Ken said, bent blades, also check bolts where blade connects.

 

[sweettractors]

I would raise mower high enough to crawl under it, with tractor off and rear of mower supported, just in case, crawl under and grab the stump jumper.

That is the round metal bowl looking thing the blades are attached, try and wiggle with both hands grabbing pan at 3:00 & 9:00.

If there is no slop then as Ken said, bent blades, also check bolts where blade connects.

While under the mower,make sure you have the tractor keys in your pocket and no one is within a mile of you. A local farmer lost his life a couple years ago when he went under the rotary cutter to check blades and his son did not know he was under there and hit the key starter. Cut the top of his head off. Ken Sweet

 

[Conservation]

Stump jumper is not sloppy. Checked that yesterday. Good safety precaution for sure with the keys. But of course, no one in my household knows how to run the tractor much. Jack stands are my friend also.
I think scientific elimination is pointing me toward the mount. I need to clean it up a bit to see well. I think a long lever and a big hammer may be needed. Maybe a welder to keep it in place.