Update on broken mower and bent cylinder

[woodlandfarms]

So, my belt was indeed stretched. PT sent me a new one to the tune of $42.72

I bent my tilt, dump cylinder rod so they sent me a news one. Honestly, it looks like the pulled the entire cylinder apart and sent me the whole rod, including seals. There was pipe wrench marks on the screw in end (did not expect to see this). It cost $61.90. I got a seal kit ($19.95 for one cylinder) as well thinking that all I was getting was a rod and not the cylinder cap and piston assembly.

It was replaced easily.

The spider on the mower was indeed shot. $ 22.50 per spider.

But here is the rub. Another bad weld from PT. As I said before, there was this vibration. It turns out the arm that holds the hydaulic motor plate steady on one end, the weld was busted off (no penetration. To really fix this I should have torn it apart, but that looked to be a major nightmare. Instead i got a long welding rod, and ran a hot bead again. Marginal but it held for 8 hours of mowing today.

Carl

 

[SpringHollow]

Hi Carl,

Do you know the belt length?

Ken

 

[woodlandfarms]

there was no markings on the belt (other than what is in the picture and I can't get a cross reference so far), but I have the old one and will tape measure it up. The stretch is minor, and if it wasn't for the broken motor mount I would have never noticed it.

Just FYI, Terry told me to keep the belts very loose.

I like the Spring Hollow name Ken.

 

[Bob999]

The belt size is B 180-- that means B cross section, length 180 inches.

If the belt has any reverse bend or small pulleys I have found that BX belts work better and last longer. They cost a bit more and often have to be special ordered.

McMasters Carr carries the B 180 for about $40 and the BX 180 for about $55.

McMaster-Carr

 

[woodlandfarms]

Good to know. Will get a BX next time I am in town.

 

[PABenz]

I replaced the belt on my 48" mower with NAPA part # A105 I got at a local Auto parts store. That was in 2008 and I have not had any issues with it since.

 

[SpringHollow]

The belt size is B 180-- that means B cross section, length 180 inches.

If the belt has any reverse bend or small pulleys I have found that BX belts work better and last longer. They cost a bit more and often have to be special ordered.

McMasters Carr carries the B 180 for about $40 and the BX 180 for about $55.

McMaster-Carr

Thanks, Bob. I just broke mine and it says B 180 on it. Found a good site that has the Gates B 180 for ~25 and the BX 180 for about $33. Because of your recommendation, I am ordering two of the BX 180.

BX Tri-Power Belts - ROYAL SUPPLY

Ken

 

[wasabi]

The belt size is B 180-- that means B cross section, length 180 inches.

If the belt has any reverse bend or small pulleys I have found that BX belts work better and last longer. They cost a bit more and often have to be special ordered.

McMasters Carr carries the B 180 for about $40 and the BX 180 for about $55.

McMaster-Carr

wish I had read this a week ago. I just replaced the belt on my 1850 with a b 180 instead of a bx ...

 

[woodlandfarms]

You ate your belt already? that seems quick...

 

[wasabi]

You ate your belt already? that seems quick...

there's always a story right?....so the belt kept coming off the pulleys.....so i, in my newbie wisdom, pull the belt covers off so i can better observe pully action.
"edumacation" says i to meself as i plunge downhill into a fresh batch of overgrown locust and brambles standing well over my head.

i learned that the blades indeed slow down significantly when confronted with substantial obstacles...and that (predictablly) the belt will come off if the vibrations get gnarly.....

i'll just pull down to that levelish spot over there says me.....then i hear a snap when the belt slips (unbeknownst to me) unde the tire as i slow to a stop....

 

[woodlandfarms]

OK. I nearly did the same thing. Jethro would have been proud.

Belt kept popping off, thought taking the cover would explain a few things.

Jammed a rubbery limb thingy in there going full bore in the the blackberries, now I got belt, limb, tree, going in a hundred different directions. Belt never broke. but yea, going back to have a drink next to the cement pond.....

 

[wasabi]

In hindsight I'm still glad I removed the covers. I gained valuable insights by observing the belt and pulley speed under load. I noticed at times the center blade (hdr motor) would be spinning fine but the outer ones would bog down. Cutting extreme stuff sometime halted all blades. I started using much slower ground speed with better results. After the belt came off it took only a moment of inattention to snap it...otherwise I would have been back to mowing

 

[BobRip]

Sounds like you need the brush cutter, not finish mower.

 

[wasabi]

Sounds like you need the brush cutter, not finish mower.

I'm running a PT 90" brush cutter - three dougnuts with two blades each...challenge is I'm reclaiming about eight acres of overgrown fields...lots of brambles and locust, some 3" diameter

 

[MossRoad]

Sounds like you need the brush cutter, not finish mower.

That's what I was thinking, too, until I read it was a 90" cutter. That big of a cutter with one blade would be a MONSTER! :laughing: There has to be belts or drive shafts to run multiple blades.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Wasabi.

I do believe that going to my custom 1/2" blades have improved the brush performance of this mower.

 

[BobRip]

I'm running a PT 90" brush cutter - three dougnuts with two blades each...challenge is I'm reclaiming about eight acres of overgrown fields...lots of brambles and locust, some 3" diameter

OK. I think of my 422 brush cutter as being a light duty brush cutter. Good enough for most of my needs, but easy to abuse.

 

[ponytug]

The 72" works well. My only hesitation in putting it in the "heavy duty" category is that the blades are not on bearings and not greaseable. (I haven't done "the mod".

All the best,

Peter

OK. I think of my 422 brush cutter as being a light duty brush cutter. Good enough for most of my needs, but easy to abuse.

 

[wasabi]

Wasabi.

I do believe that going to my custom 1/2" blades have improved the brush performance of this mower.

I've used a local welding/fabricator shop for several projects, most recently to weld the bracket for the tilt seat (had to remove the entire seat and haul it down there due to undersized bracket tab and failed poor weld). I'm thinking when I've finished with the really rough stuff, I'll get twelve heavier blades made and upgrade to 4.0 blades per doughnut.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I can't wait to hear how the 4 blade system works, but are you want 4 heavier blades spinning? I wonder if there would be any additional torque on the bearings or if it would be OK...