Rotary Cutter BCS Rotary Brush mower Blade Change

jszens · Apr 26, 2013

I'm trying to change the blades on a BCS rotary brush mower. The blades (swing-type blades) are attached to a hum, which appears to be attached to the drive shavt by a single bolt through the center of the hub. I have that bolt removed, but the hub remains firmly attached to the shaft. I can't feel any other set screws, and no other mechanical fasteners. The blades are bolted to the hub, and the fasteners are in between the hub and the underside of the mower deck.

Is anyone familiar with this attachment, and do you know how the hub is removed to facilitate a blade change?

Thanks!

felixtractor · Apr 27, 2013

Can you show some photoes for us ,maybe we can help you.

jszens · Apr 30, 2013

Issue resolved.

GreenWannabe · Apr 30, 2013

So, inquiring minds want to know. What was the resolution?

DaveOmak · Apr 30, 2013

Your fix could help others with their blade changes....

jszens · Apr 30, 2013

Some of the steps in this fix were recommended by another TBN contributor.

I used a puller to pull against the center bolt that attaches the hub to the underside of the mower. I backed the bolt out until it was almost completely loose, and pulled the hub until it reached the head of the bolt. I then substituted a longer metric bolt for the factory bolt, giving me more room to pull with the puller. Spraying some penetrating oil into the bolt hole helped. One more, longer metric bolt was needed (for a total of two), in addition to the factory bolt. The hub finally released from the keyed shaft.

Removing the blades from the hub required a breaker bar, extended with a piece of pipe. I clamped the hub to a bench with two C-clamps to hold it during the removal operation, and also sprayed these bolts with penetrating oil. Once the nuts broke free, it was a simple matter to use a ratchet and the correct socket to complete the removal.

Reassembly was just the reverse order of these steps. I applied anti-seize compound to the shaft and the socket in the hub, which I hope will make the next removal a little easier, although I suspect the puller will be required every time a blade change is called for. I made sure to torque the bolts holding the blades in place, because a blade flying out from under this mower is not something I want to see.