60" woods cutting deck rear wheel

[JoeR]

60\" woods cutting deck rear wheel

I need some advice:

I hooked up the 60" deck to the tractor yesterday and mowed down the weeds. For some reason when I made turns the darn wheel on the rear of the deck would drag and tear up the soil. I lifted the deck and the wheel rotated freely. Why does this wheel drag? When I go in reverse the wheel readily flips around and works properly but make slight or sharp turns the wheel drags! It does not rotate in the direction of travel for turns...

What am I doing wrong??

Thanks,

Joe

 

[Casimir]

Re: 60\" woods cutting deck rear wheel

Joe:

Is the swivel point well greased? Also, if the front of the deck is raised high enough that the vertical tailwheel shaft angles slightly forward, you may not get the correct castor effect. Perhaps adjusting the tailwheel vertically could change the angle of the shaft -- sounds like it castors ( /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif is that a word?) correctly in reverse. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[revg62]

Re: 60\" woods cutting deck rear wheel

joe,does the wheel have a fair amount of wear in the sleeve/shaft area where the wheel attaches to the bracket ? the reason i ask is that i'm rebuilding an older 60" woods finish mower now & will probably have to replace mine as they have considerable play in both.i'm thinking that when you raise the deck you take the load off the wheel so it spins ok,but when you put the weight back on it it binds up in the turns.i'm still learnin' so i'll sit back now & see what the pro's have to say.....revg62

 

[JoeR]

Re: 60\" woods cutting deck rear wheel

I greased the rotating stuff(Castor or caster?) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I am wondering if it has something to do with downward pressure or improper angle as you mentioned or wheel height. Although, I usually have the front of the deck lower than the back so it creates a mulching effect.

Joe

 

[JoeR]

Re: 60\" woods cutting deck rear wheel

Hmmm!! Good idea! I am going to check that and see if it binds under pressure! I didn't even think about that...

Joe

 

[beenthere]

Re: 60\" woods cutting deck rear wheel

Hmmm? I understood that the mulching effect was with the front of the deck higher than the back. That the blades cut higher in the front and lower in the back, thus cutting the "stem" of grass off at two levels, and therefore more mulching effect.

Lawn mower decks are purposely set about 1/4" lower in front to only mow the grass off once, and not twice. More power is needed to mow with the deck higher in the front.

Guess we learn something different every day?

 

[JoeR]

Re: 60\" woods cutting deck rear wheel

You are correct. Shredding requires the rear of the cutter lower than the front...

Normal operation requires the rear to be 3/4" higher than the front.

I forgot, and was mowing in normal mode! Then again its been at least 4 months since I last used the deck....

Thanks,

Joe

 

[chrisjbell]

Re: 60\" woods cutting deck rear wheel

<font color="blue"> Then again its been at least 4 months since I last used the deck....
</font>

Wow, you can go that long without mowing? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I guess that is one of the good things about winter...

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Re: 60\" woods cutting deck rear wheel

I've got some places that haven't seen a mower in over two years at least. It's out of sight, out of mind and a great place for the rabbits to breed. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[cisco]

Re: 60\" woods cutting deck rear wheel

I've a 60" Woods - if the deck is not entirely level, the wheel won't rotate freely (yup, both the vertical shaft above the wheel and the wheel bearing have grease nipples - use them) - and even then if one makes abrupt turns, it'll dig in a bit before rotating - fairly common to devices with 1 (large, heavy) rear wheel.