Anti-Scalp Roller Mod's?

[Junkman]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

Your modifications are impressive. The only fly in the ointment that I can see is the sharp edge on the wheel itself cutting into the turf on turns. I believe that is why Kubota built the wheel the way that they did.
What I don't understand is how is the grease going to get from the grease fitting to the inside of the bearing to the axle. I understand that you are filling the cavity, but how will you get sufficient amount of grease between the bronze bushing and the axle itself to keep it properly lubricated? Wouldn't it have been better to put the grease in /forums/images/graemlins/confused.giffrom the center of the axle? I am certain that if I had it in my hand, I could figure it out, but I believe that there is something missing in the pictures. Or.... possibly, it is one of my senior moments in time that is confusing me..... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[RET]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

Junkman,
Refer to the attached pic.
See the knurled fittings of the hat bushings on either end of the tubular bushing? (2nd hat bushing is not installed because I have to install the wheel 1st before pressing on the 2nd hat bushing). See how the OD of the knurled section is larger than that of the tubular section? The knurled part is what friction-fits into the wheel ID. So, since the tubular part (where the holes are drilled) is smaller dia. than the wheel ID, there is a ~1/8" doughnut void that is formed. The
grease fitting will supply grease to this doughnut area. Once the doughnut is full of grease, additional pumps of the grease gun will force grease through the holes drilled into the tubular shaped bushing....where the axle is located.
With a little luck, as the wheel bearing area heats up during use, the grease in the doughnut area will warm up, expand, and additional grease will be forced through the drilled holes into the axle area.
I e-mailed Moweraxle a while ago to see if he would be willing to make me up some 3/4" axles so that this installation will become a piece of cake. Will update later.

I agree about the rounded wheels issue. The vendor could not come up with the ultimate wheel resin composition that is in the rounded form. He explained that there is a little bit of radius that should help a little with side-ways slippage. Also, the 'flat-sided' wheels are natually much more stronger since they have not been hollowed out like the OEM's. Lastly, the vendor spec'd out 3/4" axles that could take any additional abuse from 'catching' in sideways motion. The vendor and I discussed this in length before I agreed to try this flat-sided, minimal tread radius wheel. I feel comfortable that this is not going to be an issue....but proof's in the pudding come mowing season!
r

 

[RET]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

Junkman,
Missed part your comment about the square-edged wheel 'cutting' into the turf on the ground.
My assumption has been that this wheel will not be riding on the ground. It can be placed a little lower than the OEM spec's, but not completely down to the ground.
I had always assumed the roundness of the OEM wheels was more for prevention of 'catching' on roots and such when making a sharp turn.
I don't think these wheels will cause a turf cutting problem....can hardly wait 'til mowing season to find out!

 

[DannyWilliams]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

As I said in my previous post.....been there, done that. I tried steel hub, rubber wheels, phenolic wheels, and finally, plastic hub with rounded rubber tire and stainless steel roller bearings.

I've used the plastic hub, rounded rubber tire, stainless steel roller bearing wheels now for a year and a half. They are holding up fine....a little grass stained and maybe some dog doooo, but other than that, they have been great....and yes, I run them on the ground all the time. They don't have grease zerks, but I packed the bearings at the beginning of the mowing season and they just keep on rolling.

I tested the steel wheel, rubber tire combination, however the tire was more flat with squared corners and the corners or edges seemed to take a lot of abuse from an occasional rock or the edge of the sidewalk, etc. The phenolic wheels are also succeptible to chipping, gouging, breaking the edge of the wheel.

It has been my experience that the plastic hubbed rounded rubber wheel combination has been a very good solution. I would think that with the addition of a drilled and tapped axle this would be the answer the the anti-scalp wheel solution.

Attached is a picture of the plastic/rubber wheel. They also have an aluminum hubbed wheel with rubber tire with grease zerk and stainless steel bearings. The only fault of the aluminum wheel is the flat tread and squarish edges....as stated eariler, the edges tend to take a lot of abuse.

As for me....I'm going to stick to the gray rubber wheels. After a year and a half there are still no gouges, nicks, etc. A little stained, but they are still round and roll nice and quite when crossing paved areas and have given me absolutely no problems.

I think I've got an extra set....maybe I could send them to moweraxle to look at and see if he can work some magic to come up with a drilled and tapped axle for these things.

 

[DannyWilliams]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

The attachment didn't attach /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif, I'll try again!

 

[DannyWilliams]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

OK, don't know why it won't attach. Check out the link below and go to the bottom of page 2.

http://community.webshots.com/album/64671033wFJmcn

 

[pcmem]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

DannyWilliams,

Looks like three times the charm /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I could view the attachment just fine.

What are the dimensions of your wheels?

Looks good,
Michael

 

[moweraxle]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

went to a foundry today and they are going to cast one wheel for me with no axle hole and we can check the shrinkage for one thing the wieght because that's how they charge for the wheel. It will look just like the OEM wheel and I will have it by the weekend so I can machine on it and install bronze bushings just like the plastic wheels and I may be able to figure out a price, may not be to bad. If this works these wheels will last forever

 

[Gator6x4]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

I purchased a Cub Cadet Model # 2084 Garden Tractor approximately 11 years ago and the anti-scalp wheels on the deck are equipped with bronze bushings. Looks like they were ahead of their time on recognizing this problem. I just replaced the bushings on the front two anti-scalp rollers. Cub used to make good equipment. I sure hate they sold out to MTD.

 

[RET]

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

Danny,
Would you e-mail Castercity (Sales@Castercity.com) and repeat what you said in your post about your success with the rubber wheel? Address e-mail 'Attention Owen'.
The rubber wheel that you have was my first choce too, but I was afraid it could not stand the abuse....maybe I was wrong.
I also had your concern that the square edged wheel would take additional abuse....but decided to try it anyway...no data at the time of purchase. I'm hoping that these fiber-reinforced wheels will be much more resistant to chipping....that's what the ground up canvas in the resin is supposed to help with. If I remember correctly, the wheels I have are 850lb rated wheels.
Looks like we have several designs that are in testing now or starting soon...
- OEM wheels fitted with sleeves and/or grease fittings
- Danny's rubber wheel
- Roger's canvas fiber reinforced resin wheel, brass sleeves, grease fittings
- Larry's cast iron wheel (coming soon from a foundary near you) and various modifications of the OEM wheel.
- who knows what else may be out there in field testing?

Maybe we should all get together and open a 'Wheels r Us' store? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
r