Anti-Scalp Roller Mod's?

[GregW]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

Henro,
I will say from my experience if I lower the wheels down to where they're constantly turning on the grass without carrying a substantial load of the mower deck my cut quality is improved by in my opinion a good amount. In this turning on the grass setup I find that I can mow the lawn considerably lower than I would be able to if the wheels we set up as to not turn.
I would like to be able to adjust the wheels to be in light contact, but rotating in order to mow lower without scalping, I feel that I if mow for very long with the wheels constantly turning it will cause them to wear out in short order.

Greg

 

[JWE]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

I think that the "bottom line" is that when you adjust the deck and wheels to the Kubota specifications, the wheels make frequent contact with the ground. The contact causes the wheels to wear out prematurely which points directly to a design flaw. The wheels should have bearings that can be lubricated because they are going to turn when adjusted properly.

In my case I have the wheels adjusted higher than Kubota recommends. That is the only way that I can keep the wheels from turning continually. I am very satisfied with the quality of cut with the wheels in the higher than spec. position. However, I have compared the cut with the wheels adjusted to spec. and the wheels set higher. The cut is slightly better with the wheels in the spec. position.

I played with the settings of those stupid wheels /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif all summer long. The conclusion I drew is that the wheels will turn (and wear out) if you adjust the deck to Kubota specs. I think bearings will solve the problem. I also agree with Henro that if your lawn has a lot of holes and mounds there is no way to obtain an even cut without leveling the turf.

 

[RET]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

Henro, JWE, Greg, Others,
Henro- Still pondering your explanation of levers and see-saw's. I was going through that thought process yesterday. I don't disagree with anything you said. Suspended mower should always give better cut that one that is rolling on the ground.
Greg and JWE sum it up pretty good. I don't won't the wheels on the ground....just want them brushing through the grass. And my grass is THICK. It is Centipede turf grass...other southerners here can attest to its thickness compared, say, to a Kentucky Bluegrass or similar. So thick that when I go out in the yard to hit some golf balls, it's like hitting out of thick rough...even right after mowing. This MAY be part of my problem, even though wheels are currently at 'factory setting'.

The one thing we can all agree on is that the wheels are cheap. I figure that if I have a choice of a $15 wheel that I don't have to worry about for years vs. a $5 wheel that has to be replaced at some frequency, I'll take the $15 wheel. Not talking about much money difference here.

Kinda like the ongoing argument about dino vs synthetic oil in compact tractors. Doesn't really make a difference $$ wise when you look at the overall family budget. Comes down to what makes you feel good.

Yes....root problem is that my yard is rough and I need to work on getting it leveled. Back in the fall, I ordered six 6-yd loads of dirt from a local driver..just enough to fill in some of the worst spots. He never showed up. Called him again and he promised to be out that week. Never showed up. By the time I gave up on him, other honey-do's had moved up the priority list and then wet weather set in...now I have to wait 'til late spring when the ground will finally firm up again.
Have a good one ya'll!
roger

 

[Charliebrn]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

Roger,
IF it appears the new caster/bearing combination is going to work the next time you talk to the owner, tell him to put together a kit, and tell him I want it, for one. I've solved the problem by pulling the casters off, cleaning and greasing (Amsoil synthetic) them about every 3rd mow. I haven't worn them out in 4 seasons, but I have them set one notch higher than recommended and would like to have a better solution. It'd even be better if the casters had a grease zirc. Anyhow, I'll take a kit..... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RET]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

charliebrn,
putting a package together is what I plan to do.
Wheels should be here early next week. Once I get them in hand and check some dimensions that the owner didn't have handy yesterday, I will go to McMaster.com or equivelent and order new axles (remember, new wheel requires 3/4" axles instead of OEM ~5/8"). I may have to install some spacer washers or such depending on the fit. So, when I have all the pieces together, I'll take pics and share part numbers.
r

 

[RET]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

charliebrn...forgot to mention...the wheels I'm getting do not have grease fittings, but I plan to buy axles that have a grease fitting in the head of the bolt.

Question to all: the axles on McMaster.com do not list the grade of steel. Does anybody know where else I might find axles? Would like to spend $0.50 extra and get grade 8.

 

[jpr62902]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

I think I just figured out what PhD stands for .....

P rofessor h enro, D octor of tractors ... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[gsganzer]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

I think "PhD" stands for Post Hole Digger. I told my neighbor that one day when we were digging in some corner poles. He has a PhD in genetics, and at the time, had to agree with me.

 

[jpr62902]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

They make post hole diggers for genetics?

 

[44trxfun]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

OK, gotta admit, I didn't read through this whole thread. But, one of the reasons I was given for the MF 2325 60" mmm being more expensive than the similar sized Kub mower was that the MF's rollers were designed to have the weight of the mower on them all the time, rather than just in "anti-scalp" mode. I ran it that way for three months last season (over some rough ground) and didn't have a problem. Maybe you could work with a MF dealer and swap the rollers??? (Unfortunately, I don't have the part number for the rollers.)