54" MMM bogging down engine

[kwolfe]

I have a BX1500 with about 110 hrs on it. I purchased it used with 94 hrs on it. I have mowed twice with the machine now and have noticed that when mowing uphill, the engine tends to bog down noticably. On my previous BX1500, this only happen when trying to go up the same hill with the hydro pedal to the floor.

When I got the tractor I greased all of the zerks on the deck, and was glad to see that there was grease in there (did not take 40 pumps to fill).

Upon first inspection of the deck, it was obvious that there was a good layer of grass crud stuck to the bottom and the blades seems to be fairly dull. I think that previous owner only used it as a mowing machine.

The question is, would dull blades be able to produce enough friction to bogg down the motor? When the deck is off, how easy should it be to turn the shaft to get the blades to spin? Should I consider taking apart the spindles and cleaning out all of the grease and replacing with new (I would rather not do this due to lack of free time these days)?

 

[kevinj]

I have a BX1500 with about 110 hrs on it. I purchased it used with 94 hrs on it. I have mowed twice with the machine now and have noticed that when mowing uphill, the engine tends to bog down noticably. On my previous BX1500, this only happen when trying to go up the same hill with the hydro pedal to the floor.

When I got the tractor I greased all of the zerks on the deck, and was glad to see that there was grease in there (did not take 40 pumps to fill).

Upon first inspection of the deck, it was obvious that there was a good layer of grass crud stuck to the bottom and the blades seems to be fairly dull. I think that previous owner only used it as a mowing machine.

The question is, would dull blades be able to produce enough friction to bogg down the motor? When the deck is off, how easy should it be to turn the shaft to get the blades to spin? Should I consider taking apart the spindles and cleaning out all of the grease and replacing with new (I would rather not do this due to lack of free time these days)?

I would pull the deck and remove the belt. Then you can check each spindle and the gear box indepndently.

 

[Tom_H]

I would rather not do this due to lack of free time these days

Any machine, no matter how high the quality, still needs proper maintenance. I would check the spindles and belts, as well as take off the blades and either take them to a mower shop for sharpening, or search the archives here for threads which explain how to do it yourself. Dull blades cut grass about as well as the back side of a knife blade will slice through tough steak.

Also, you might raise the deck so that you only take off a little at a time. After one cut, lower it a little and cut again, until it is the height you want.

 

[KeithInSpace]

Maybe your grass is just too wonderful, lush, and thick.

I'd be happy to send you some plugs of my junk to invade yours...that'll solve your problem real quick.

Honestly, I would figure a 54" deck would "load" the engine, but not "bog". Spindles, belt, belt tension, and blades...not much else in there...I wouldn't think "old" grease could be a culprit unless it is the entirely wrong weight. I would figure it would just get 'runny' with age, not gum things up. And how old can the thing possibly be, anyway?

 

[ByronBob]

I know running in high gear can cause that type of issue so I wonder if your in low or not

 

[kwolfe]

Tom,
I will have try and take the belt off, then turn the spindles. They should easily spin with one finger then I am guessing. I'll have to give that a try and see what happens.

Keith,
My soil is not that good, however I did bring in 10 tandem axels of top soil when we put in the first acre of lawn. With a nice cool spring, some good rain, and fertilizer, the lawn is pretty thick in parts. The engine defintely sounds more loaded go through these parts. This makes me think that a lot of this may be due to dull blades.

Byron,
I am in high when I mow. I tried low gear once and it still happened. Besides, mowing in low is toooo slow.

 

[crbr]

I would pull the deck and remove the belt. Then you can check each spindle and the gear box indepndently.

At that point of work, honestly, I'd put in a new set of bearings, if you at all suspect any wear or play in them. It's another hour's work at most.

Dull blades don't cut well at all, and I can't say if that has an impact on your issue. I do know that when I have a sharp set of blades, my cutting seems much easier on the machine. I sharpen blades quite often.

 

[kevinj]

At that point of work, honestly, I'd put in a new set of bearings, if you at all suspect any wear or play in them. It's another hour's work at most.

Dull blades don't cut well at all, and I can't say if that has an impact on your issue. I do know that when I have a sharp set of blades, my cutting seems much easier on the machine. I sharpen blades quite often.

It is about 15 minutes to pull the deck and belt. I check mine spring and fall. It is also the time to grease it and check the gear box oil. I think it would be more like one hour or more per spindle to change the bearings and don't forget the center one is part of the gear box.

 

[Ifixcars]

Want to feel the difference between dull and sharp blades? Use a gas engine push mower with dull blades, then sharpen them. Big difference. I have a 1500 too, and have a hilly property. Uphill in thick grass will bog me down in high range, sometimes in low range when cutting high zoysia (is that spelled right?). I let the grass get long between cuts, and I don't expect to cut at 8 mph with a 15 horse motor driving a 54 inch deck. I would still check the deck spindles and belts though, just for peace of mind.