62D MMM Creating Divots with Front Wheels

[keerym]

Looks like a design flaw to me. If you look at all other caster wheels ever designed for a mower deck, you'll notice that the frame in which the actual wheel bolts to is ofset in one direction. This means the wheel will not sit directly under the pivot point. By doing that, when ever the wheel contacts the ground, it always spins around and points in the direction of travel. This is simple engineering, and to me it looks like they had a new engineer out of college who had never cut grass with a tractor before engineer this one. For an example, take a look at the caster wheeles on the front of this Z-Track. No matter which direction you turn one of these, the wheels always follow.

 

[ovrszd]

Looks like a design flaw to me. If you look at all other caster wheels ever designed for a mower deck, you'll notice that the frame in which the actual wheel bolts to is ofset in one direction. This means the wheel will not sit directly under the pivot point. By doing that, when ever the wheel contacts the ground, it always spins around and points in the direction of travel. This is simple engineering, and to me it looks like they had a new engineer out of college who had never cut grass with a tractor before engineer this one. For an example, take a look at the caster wheeles on the front of this Z-Track. No matter which direction you turn one of these, the wheels always follow.

Yep, that's the problem, but what is the fix???

 

[jdbower]

Yep, that's the problem, but what is the fix???

Looks like just a new wheel may work if there's clearance - all that needs to be done is have the "axle" of the wheel an inch or two behind the vertical pivot point. It also couldn't hurt to mount some springs to help reduce the effective weight of the deck. Perhaps a wheel from a 7Iron will work?

 

[YASH2520]

I also have all but eliminated this issue by lubricating the front "king" pins.

I just remove the "e"clip on the bottom of the "king" pin just above the wheel.

This allows the wheel to drop. I clean the shaft and apply grease. (I perform this at the same interval as I lube the deck, takes about 5 minutes total)

 

[ovrszd]

I also have all but eliminated this issue by lubricating the front "king" pins.

I just remove the "e"clip on the bottom of the "king" pin just above the wheel.

This allows the wheel to drop. I clean the shaft and apply grease. (I perform this at the same interval as I lube the deck, takes about 5 minutes total)

If that's going to be your fix, why not drill a hole in each hub and put in a grease zerk like other manufacturers use??

 

[papaw]

My dealer filed a Tech Problem Report with Deere. Indications came back that a wheel fix kit for the guage wheels is in the works.

The more owners complain to Deere, the sooner we will have a kit to solve this significant engineering goof!!!!!

 

[YASH2520]

If that's going to be your fix, why not drill a hole in each hub and put in a grease zerk like other manufacturers use??

Being that there is no true bearing/bushing in this area, I feel that the cleaning of the shaft is just as important as the lubrication.

 

[Shawk]

My dealer filed a Tech Problem Report with Deere. Indications came back that a wheel fix kit for the guage wheels is in the works.

The more owners complain to Deere, the sooner we will have a kit to solve this significant engineering goof!!!!!

Glad to hear that... Not a huge deal, but certainly is annoying.

 

[davkir]

Your wish is my command!

I can get other angles if you like.

The antiscalp wheels on my mower have a curved contact patch instead of a flat one. (Sort of donut shaped).
I wonder if reshaping the wheels might help?

 

[jdbower]

The antiscalp wheels on my mower have a curved contact patch instead of a flat one. (Sort of donut shaped).
I wonder if reshaping the wheels might help?

I'm thinking a lot of things would help:

1. Moving the axle back a bit more would probably allow easier pivots, but there's not a whole lot of room to move them back.

2. Adding a spring between the deck and the frame somehow may reduce the weight (especially with the MCS attached) and lighten the load.

3. Adding a spring on the wheel pivot so the wheel hangs down very low but lifts up easily to a preset height may allow it to pivot while raising.

4. Your rounder wheel would also be nice, the fewer sharp edges the better.

Of course, it's worth pitching to the wife that I need a lot of grading equipment to fix the lawn and that the mower's fine.