755 MM mower flat spots on front gauge wheels

[Yourkie]

Another anyone else have this problem question?

I've just replaced both of my the front swivel gauge wheels on my 60" mid mount mower on my 755 for the 2nd time in recent years because they both have multiple (2 or 3) flat spots on them as though they were dragged on the ground without rotating. The first time was because one of the wheels fractured. I've had this tractor since 1989 and have not run into this before.

I'm going to recheck the mower deck height and leveling settings. It doesn't look as though they are dragging on the ground, but was wondering if others have any ideas. It looks like a geometry problem or the wheels are not swiveling properly, or the new gauge wheels are not as durable and cheaply made. Thanks.

 

[beenthere]

Doubt the quality has changed, but would suspect dragging on the ground and the tractor not carrying the deck as it is supposed to do when adjusted.
A pic would be very helpful to determine if there is any other cause.
Assume they have received the proper amount of grease in the zirks at each wheel.

 

[Yourkie]

Thanks for the reply. Both the wheel hubs and the pivot mount have been greased regularly.

I didn't think of this until now. It may have happened because I used my 755 this year for plowing my driveway with a 72" rear scraper blade in reverse. The 60 mmm deck on this tractor does not lift very high and even less when the center stop is used to keep it elevated instead of using the rock shaft. Since the rock shaft was lowered to max with the rear blade, the front gauge wheels on the deck were probably lower than normal and touching especially with loader mounted. In reverse they probably saw their share of sideways relative to direction of roll. I didn't notice it in the snow.

In the past I always removed the mower deck but I've gotten lazy in my old age. If I do this again I'll move up the front gauge wheels. I found these wheels on eBay pretty reasonable incl shipping although they are not OEM Coulson.

Thanks again for making me think about this.