Mowing NH 930B 72" Rear Mount Finish Mower

[Welshman]

Thanks, Rayrla.
Well, the pulleys could be pressed off if you could somehow position a press properly - you can't remove the spindle from the mower without first removing the pulley. When I first had a spindle problem, my procedure was to loosen the three nuts that retain the spindle from the underside of the deck and, using a 1" brass drift, drive down on the spindle to free the pulley. That seemed to work well until the third or forth removal, when I apparently loosened the nuts too much and when I drove the shaft I tweaked the alignment of the three studs on the spindle plate. When I tried to reinstall the spindle, I couldn't get the studs through the holes (I'm always working alone - maybe with an extra pair of hands I could have forced it on). I had to buy a new spindle plate for about $48. With that in mind, I tried the puller - and it worked - two out of three times..... In hindsight, I think my first technique was the better one. This procedure is enough of a pain in the neck to do if you only had to adjust or remove them once in a blue moon (or even 100 hrs. as stated in the manual). When I've had to do it every two to three weeks - it's no fun at all. With the new spindles, it's a snap - one nut on top does it all, and the pulley slides right off.

I finally got a response from NH. They told me, in an email, that they had "authorized the dealer to replace the spindles" (plural). They are apparently now looking into why the dealer only replaced one. I'm still hopeful that they will do the right thing.

 

[Rayrla]

Thanks, Rayrla.
Well, the pulleys could be pressed off if you could somehow position a press properly - you can't remove the spindle from the mower without first removing the pulley. When I first had a spindle problem, my procedure was to loosen the three nuts that retain the spindle from the underside of the deck and, using a 1" brass drift, drive down on the spindle to free the pulley. That seemed to work well until the third or forth removal, when I apparently loosened the nuts too much and when I drove the shaft I tweaked the alignment of the three studs on the spindle plate. When I tried to reinstall the spindle, I couldn't get the studs through the holes (I'm always working alone - maybe with an extra pair of hands I could have forced it on). I had to buy a new spindle plate for about $48. With that in mind, I tried the puller - and it worked - two out of three times..... In hindsight, I think my first technique was the better one. This procedure is enough of a pain in the neck to do if you only had to adjust or remove them once in a blue moon (or even 100 hrs. as stated in the manual). When I've had to do it every two to three weeks - it's no fun at all. With the new spindles, it's a snap - one nut on top does it all, and the pulley slides right off.

I finally got a response from NH. They told me, in an email, that they had "authorized the dealer to replace the spindles" (plural). They are apparently now looking into why the dealer only replaced one. I'm still hopeful that they will do the right thing.

Thanks for the spindle/pulley removal info. I understand now your procedure. I wrote before I thought it through clearly. I don't plan on removing mine unless a spindle fails. Happy to hear that things are moving in the right direction with NH.

 

[Welshman]

UPDATE:

NH has replaced the remaining spindle, at no cost to me, and credited me back for the one I paid for. Thanks NH.
I also found that the belt was seriously worn, so I replaced it with the Gates belt that I had in stock. Interestingly, the pulleys on the new spindles are a slightly larger diameter (at the point where the belt rides) than the old ones, so I didn't have as much "slack" as I expected with the longer belt. The belt is on, but I haven't adjusted it yet (I ran out of grease, and need to do that before I run it). There was also some noticeable wear to the "eyes" in both the link, and the tensioner pulley bracket caused by, I believe, from running the belt too loose.

Rayrla, if you could do me one more favor (that's about 100 isn't it?). When you have your covers off, check your belt tension by measuring the deflection at a point on the belt midway between the center pulley and the right pulley (I think that's the easiest place). Pull the belt "snugly" toward the rear of the mower, then push it toward the front, and let me know the measurement of the difference. Since you've had no trouble with yours, it's the only standard I have to go by. I've been so concerned about the belt being too tight, but now I want to make sure it's also not too loose. Since my mower has been "modified", I don't think I can compare "standard" measurements.
Thanks again.

 

[Welshman]

ANOTHER UPDATE:

The dealer called me to tell me he found a new 72" 930B at a second store that they own. He said he checked the spring measurement and it was "about 6 1/4", and the belt is "short" (not 122.9 in.).

I've set my tension to the recommended (?) 5 9/16 in., and everything seems to be working fine (mowed for 5 hrs.), but to get there, I still had to use my extended link through the relocated anchor. I think I'd like to adjust it tighter, since over 6" seems to be the "trend", and Rayrla, you've had no problems at 6 3/4" or so, but I'll wait until I have some more measurements.

 

[Rayrla]

ANOTHER UPDATE:

The dealer called me to tell me he found a new 72" 930B at a second store that they own. He said he checked the spring measurement and it was "about 6 1/4", and the belt is "short" (not 122.9 in.).

I've set my tension to the recommended (?) 5 9/16 in., and everything seems to be working fine (mowed for 5 hrs.), but to get there, I still had to use my extended link through the relocated anchor. I think I'd like to adjust it tighter, since over 6" seems to be the "trend", and Rayrla, you've had no problems at 6 3/4" or so, but I'll wait until I have some more measurements.

I really got a good laugh at your opening statement-"dealer FOUND a new 72" 930B".
Anyway, it rained all day today so therefore I finally found some free time to check some measurements for you. First, belt deflection. I placed a ruler on the deck below the belt mid way between right spindle and middle spindle. Belt was deflected toward the rear, and ruler was zeroed. Belt was then deflected forwarded, and 2 3/8" was read(total deflection of belt). I have approximately 3 hours of cutting time on this belt. Second, spindle measurements are 25" between center spindle and right and left spindles(center to center). The measurement between right spindle and left spindle is 47 3/16". The distance between the fixed pulley and the center spindle is 6 5/8" and between the left spindle and the fixed pulley is 18 3/8"(again all center to center). The distance between the fixed pulley and the surface of the left front leg of the gear box support is 5". Fixed pulley diameter is 6 3/4"(OD).
I guess from your dealer's info, my belt may be adjusted a little too loose at 6 3/4"(if his is adjusted properly?) I did not notice any wear on the tension spring connections.
Glad to hear that NH did come through with all new spindles. Hope all now goes well!

 

[Rayrla]

I really got a good laugh at your opening statement-"dealer FOUND a new 72" 930B".
Anyway, it rained all day today so therefore I finally found some free time to check some measurements for you. First, belt deflection. I placed a ruler on the deck below the belt mid way between right spindle and middle spindle. Belt was deflected toward the rear, and ruler was zeroed. Belt was then deflected forwarded, and 2 3/8" was read(total deflection of belt). I have approximately 3 hours of cutting time on this belt. Second, spindle measurements are 25" between center spindle and right and left spindles(center to center). The measurement between right spindle and left spindle is 47 3/16". The distance between the fixed pulley and the center spindle is 6 5/8" and between the left spindle and the fixed pulley is 18 3/8"(again all center to center). The distance between the fixed pulley and the surface of the left front leg of the gear box support is 5". Fixed pulley diameter is 6 3/4"(OD).
I guess from your dealer's info, my belt may be adjusted a little too

loose

at 6 3/4"(if his is adjusted properly?) I did not notice any wear on the tension spring connections.
Glad to hear that NH did come through with all new spindles. Hope all now goes well!

Should be "tight" instead.

 

[Welshman]

Rayrla:
Thanks for the info. All of your center to center dimensions are within 1/8in. of mine, although you've given me two measurements I haven't checked yet.
My deflection measurement is a little more than yours, so I'm going to tighten mine up a bit and see where that puts the spring tension. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks again for all your help. I really appreciate it.

Haymaker - are you still around?

 

[Welshman]

Rayrla:
One thing you didn't mention - after you replaced the belt, did you have to re-tension it after a short period of time? The reason I ask is that after about five hours of mowing, I checked the tension, and it was loose. I know it's typical for a new belt to take an "initial stretch", and actually, this Gates belt stretched enough that I was able to replace my fabricated tension adjustment link with the O.E.M. link. I've now mowed another 5 or so hours, and the tension is right where I last set it. Life is good.
The only thing I'd like to compare sometime is the placement of the link anchor point. I'm not sure what to measure it from, but I guess I've got several months to figure it out.

 

[Rayrla]

Rayrla:
One thing you didn't mention - after you replaced the belt, did you have to re-tension it after a short period of time? The reason I ask is that after about five hours of mowing, I checked the tension, and it was loose. I know it's typical for a new belt to take an "initial stretch", and actually, this Gates belt stretched enough that I was able to replace my fabricated tension adjustment link with the O.E.M. link. I've now mowed another 5 or so hours, and the tension is right where I last set it. Life is good.
The only thing I'd like to compare sometime is the placement of the link anchor point. I'm not sure what to measure it from, but I guess I've got several months to figure it out.

Hi Welshman,

No I have not had to retension the belt. I must have over 15 hours on it now. I have the covers off now and plan to "winterize" this weekend. I will try to get some measurements of the link anchor point before I put the mower in the barn. Happy to hear that "life is good".

 

[Welshman]

Thanks, Rayrla.