60" Deck blade alignment

[Scrounger]

60\" Deck blade alignment

I'm getting my 60" dexk for the BX ready for spring. After a new set of blades and oil for deck, I'm trying to decipher the blade position issue. I followed the picture in the manual, but when you do, the center blade and the blade next to the discharge will cross tip to tip.

Is this ok or should the blades at all times never cross tip to tip.

Also, does blade rotation have any impact of balance or harmonics on the deck. I would think that any placement that keeps the blades from ever going tip to tip is best.

Suggestions or ideas?

I called the local shop and they just said bring it in and they'll set it up. For major bucks an hour of course.

 

[Scrounger]

60\" Deck blade alignment

I'm getting my 60" dexk for the BX ready for spring. After a new set of blades and oil for deck, I'm trying to decipher the blade position issue. I followed the picture in the manual, but when you do, the center blade and the blade next to the discharge will cross tip to tip.

Is this ok or should the blades at all times never cross tip to tip.

Also, does blade rotation have any impact of balance or harmonics on the deck. I would think that any placement that keeps the blades from ever going tip to tip is best.

Suggestions or ideas?

I called the local shop and they just said bring it in and they'll set it up. For major bucks an hour of course.

 

[JWE]

Re: 60\" Deck blade alignment

I don't think that blade position matters. There is no way to maintain blade position when the spindles are driven by a belt. There will always be a certian amount of slippage in a belt driven system.

Did you see a spec. somewhere on the relative position of the blades? There is no mention in my manual.

John

 

[JWE]

Re: 60\" Deck blade alignment

I don't think that blade position matters. There is no way to maintain blade position when the spindles are driven by a belt. There will always be a certian amount of slippage in a belt driven system.

Did you see a spec. somewhere on the relative position of the blades? There is no mention in my manual.

John

 

[rosey]

Re: 60\" Deck blade alignment

If you check out the "mower deck manual" you will find a diagram of the relative position of the blades. Thats what I did when I removed and replaced the blades for sharpening and no problems.

 

[rosey]

Re: 60\" Deck blade alignment

If you check out the "mower deck manual" you will find a diagram of the relative position of the blades. Thats what I did when I removed and replaced the blades for sharpening and no problems.

 

[Volfandt]

Re: 60\" Deck blade alignment

The proceedure I use seems to give me pretty good results. Theres no noticable vibrations nor loud noises and the mower runs smoother than any of my previous lawn mowers.

Settings are done with the MMM standing upright on a set of mower axles.
I set the righthand blade (furthest from the discharge opening) to where it's pointing fore & aft. 6 & 12 oclock position.
I set the middle blade slightly before at 1 & 7 oclock position.
I set the left hand blade before the middle blade at the 2 & 8 oclock position.

My reasoning is that this staggering increases the discharge flow of the clippings as the clippings get additional slicing and a push outward from the next blade. I can't prove that it does but then again, I don't have any problems so it doesn't hurt.
There will be points where the tips overlap but I don't think this is a bad thing.
Now the timing deck on my old WheelHorse is a different story /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Volfandt

 

[Volfandt]

Re: 60\" Deck blade alignment

The proceedure I use seems to give me pretty good results. Theres no noticable vibrations nor loud noises and the mower runs smoother than any of my previous lawn mowers.

Settings are done with the MMM standing upright on a set of mower axles.
I set the righthand blade (furthest from the discharge opening) to where it's pointing fore & aft. 6 & 12 oclock position.
I set the middle blade slightly before at 1 & 7 oclock position.
I set the left hand blade before the middle blade at the 2 & 8 oclock position.

My reasoning is that this staggering increases the discharge flow of the clippings as the clippings get additional slicing and a push outward from the next blade. I can't prove that it does but then again, I don't have any problems so it doesn't hurt.
There will be points where the tips overlap but I don't think this is a bad thing.
Now the timing deck on my old WheelHorse is a different story /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Volfandt

 

[JWE]

Re: 60\" Deck blade alignment

Mike

I must have an outdated manual, mine is dated May 2002. There is no mention of relative blade position in my manual. What is the date on your manual?

I still don't understand how you could maintain relative position with a belt drive.

 

[JWE]

Re: 60\" Deck blade alignment

Mike

I must have an outdated manual, mine is dated May 2002. There is no mention of relative blade position in my manual. What is the date on your manual?

I still don't understand how you could maintain relative position with a belt drive.

 

[AceDeuce]

Re: 60\" Deck blade alignment

JWE,

You are right on the mark. Without a "timing" belt or gear driven system the blades WILL NOT stay in the same relative position. That's okay though because they don't need to. They are turning fast enough to ensure proper balance and discharge no matter what position they are in.

 

[AceDeuce]

Re: 60\" Deck blade alignment

JWE,

You are right on the mark. Without a "timing" belt or gear driven system the blades WILL NOT stay in the same relative position. That's okay though because they don't need to. They are turning fast enough to ensure proper balance and discharge no matter what position they are in.

 

[Rusty]

Re: 60\" Deck blade alignment

Scrounger - The manual for my RCK-24B has a Figure G-3542 in the "Blade Replacement" section. The figure shows an underside view of the deck with blades that are numbered 1, 2, and 3. There are arrows from blades 1 to 2, 2 to 3, and 3 to 1. I understand this figure to be showing the recommended reinstallation of blades from one spindle to another after sharpening. In other words, after resharpening, reinstall the blade that came off spindle 1 onto spindle 2; the blade that came off spindle 2 onto spindle 3; etc. I don't think the angular orientation of the blades in the figure has any significance. You will need to identify each blade with a paint marker or some other method. Rusty /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Rusty]

Re: 60\" Deck blade alignment

Scrounger - The manual for my RCK-24B has a Figure G-3542 in the "Blade Replacement" section. The figure shows an underside view of the deck with blades that are numbered 1, 2, and 3. There are arrows from blades 1 to 2, 2 to 3, and 3 to 1. I understand this figure to be showing the recommended reinstallation of blades from one spindle to another after sharpening. In other words, after resharpening, reinstall the blade that came off spindle 1 onto spindle 2; the blade that came off spindle 2 onto spindle 3; etc. I don't think the angular orientation of the blades in the figure has any significance. You will need to identify each blade with a paint marker or some other method. Rusty /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Billy_S]

Re: 60\" Deck blade alignment

That's the way I understood it too, Rusty. Although I had to read it twice to be sure.

 

[Billy_S]

Re: 60\" Deck blade alignment

That's the way I understood it too, Rusty. Although I had to read it twice to be sure.

 

[JWE]

Re: 60\" Deck blade alignment

It's like rotating your tires. I have an old engraving tool that I use to engrave a number on each blade. I put the number on the back side of the lift (doesn't seem to cake with grass there). When I remove the blades I note the number of the blade and it's position. When I sharpen and reinstall I make sure I rotate the blades.

I have a feeling that this process doesn't add much to the life of the blade but I do it anyway!/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

John

 

[JWE]

Re: 60\" Deck blade alignment

It's like rotating your tires. I have an old engraving tool that I use to engrave a number on each blade. I put the number on the back side of the lift (doesn't seem to cake with grass there). When I remove the blades I note the number of the blade and it's position. When I sharpen and reinstall I make sure I rotate the blades.

I have a feeling that this process doesn't add much to the life of the blade but I do it anyway!/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

John