Problem with Woods(Frontier) Tri-Plex Mower - decks not turning the right way

[morrisond]

I just got a Frontier FM3012 (Woods TBW150C) Tri-plex mower. So I take it out for it's first pass and only one-deck is cutting (the right)

I remove the Belt Shields to make sure spindles are turning - everything is fine - However the Center deck and left wing (looking back) spindles are turning counter-clockwise and the right deck clockwise.

However all the blades are the same and stamped with an R. It's obvious either I need left cutting blades for the other two decks or something is very amiss with the splitter gearbox.

Does it sound like somebody didn't assemble something correctly or are there supposed to be different blades? The owners manual gives no indication of different part numbers?

Any ideas? My dealer is closed to Tuesday and I want to cut some grass.

[ddipert]

Have you checked the belt routing? I don't know you mower but sounds to me the routing is wrong.

[morrisond]

That's the next plan, is it possible to route incorrectly and it still operates?

[Don87]

That's the next plan, is it possible to route incorrectly and it still operates?

Probably............what does your owners manual show?

EDIT: From what I've found, it appears that you purchased it new..........should be under warranty, and the dealer should be there quickly to set it up correctly.

[Zebrafive]

Looking at each deck from the top the spindles should all turn clockwise. On the decks that are not cutting, what direction is the large pulley that the gear box drives turning? If it's clockwise and the blade spindles are not turning clockwise it's a belt routing problem. The owner's manual should show how to correctly route the belts.

Are the belts routed the same as the deck that cuts on the two that do not? My bet is the two belta are installed wrong, matching them to the correct deck should solve the problem.

[morrisond]

I figured it out. The 4 way Splitter gear box is mounted 90 Degrees the wrong way. Center deck PTO is turning opposite of Tractor PTO. Wing PTO are turning the same (Should be different). Looking back at mower right wing is turning same as PTO. Left wing opposite. Looking down at Splitter, splitter needs to turn 90 degrees clockwise.

[murphy1244]

I figured it out. The 4 way Splitter gear box is mounted 90 Degrees the wrong way. Center deck PTO is turning opposite of Tractor PTO. Wing PTO are turning the same (Should be different). Looking back at mower right wing is turning same as PTO. Left wing opposite. Looking down at Splitter, splitter needs to turn 90 degrees clockwise.

Thats what I call dealer prep...

[Don87]

I figured it out. The 4 way Splitter gear box is mounted 90 Degrees the wrong way. Center deck PTO is turning opposite of Tractor PTO. Wing PTO are turning the same (Should be different). Looking back at mower right wing is turning same as PTO. Left wing opposite. Looking down at Splitter, splitter needs to turn 90 degrees clockwise.

Glad to hear that you got it figured out.

[Zebrafive]

I figured it out. The 4 way Splitter gear box is mounted 90 Degrees the wrong way. Center deck PTO is turning opposite of Tractor PTO. Wing PTO are turning the same (Should be different). Looking back at mower right wing is turning same as PTO. Left wing opposite. Looking down at Splitter, splitter needs to turn 90 degrees clockwise.

Since I do not know how the splitter gear box is made, I ASSUMED all the output driveshafts from it would turn in the same direction. Meaning, if you looked from the splitter gear box TOWARDS the driven gear box on each of the three decks the output driveshafts would all be turning in the same direction.

So the Center deck's output driveshaft WILL be turning opposite the direction of the tractor's PTO driveshaft. The Wing's drive shafts will (as viewed from the tractor or top) be turning in opposite directions. One will be rotating forward and one will be rotating backward, BUT, if viewed looking from the splitter gear box TOWARDS the deck gear box they will be rotating the same direction. The right deck will appear to be turning the same as the tractor PTO.

I don't think turning the splitter gear box is the solution, BUT I don't know how the splitter gear box is made internally.

Let us know if turning the splitter gear box solves the problem.

[morrisond]

Since I do not know how the splitter gear box is made, I ASSUMED all the output driveshafts from it would turn in the same direction. Meaning, if you looked from the splitter gear box TOWARDS the driven gear box on each of the three decks the output driveshafts would all be turning in the same direction.

So the Center deck's output driveshaft WILL be turning opposite the direction of the tractor's PTO driveshaft. The Wing's drive shafts will (as viewed from the tractor or top) be turning in opposite directions. One will be rotating forward and one will be rotating backward, BUT, if viewed looking from the splitter gear box TOWARDS the deck gear box they will be rotating the same direction. The right deck will appear to be turning the same as the tractor PTO.

I don't think turning the splitter gear box is the solution, BUT I don't know how the splitter gear box is made internally.

Let us know if turning the splitter gear box solves the problem.

Center Deck will be turning (once I rotate the splitter 90 degress) same direction as pto as they are attached rigidly, side decks are geared off the central shaft, so they will turn opposite of each other and in same direction as Center Deck relative to there respective gear boxes.