bush hog blades hitting deck

[muzzy123]

I picked up a used bush hog and noticed that on part of the deck there is a groove from the blade tip hitting the deck. I used it a couple of times and noticed that when hitting a bump that jostles the deck the blades will hit the deck. I looked underneath and found that if i grab the blades i can move the stump jumper up and down quite a bit. From my limited research it looks like maybe the output bearing is to blame. Could it be that the castle nut is loose too? It seems that there is too much play in the stump jumper from just the bearing being shot. I will get it on its side in the next day or to for a closer look. The mower is a 5' 1994 king kutter.

 

[ronchp]

Check that the bolts holding the gearbox are not lose or missing which could cause the whole gearbox, stump jumper, and blades to tilt. Happened to me once before. Ended up replacing all of the nuts with locking nuts to prevent from happening again, but of course I had to take the blades and stump jumper off to make the repair. Be careful under that thing.

 

[henryswe]

If the castle nut is loose that could definitely be your problem. I would think that if the seal would also be bad if the bearing is shot and you would have grease leaking out unless, as I have heard other people mention, the gearbox is full of grease. I would also check the bolts holding the blades are tight but think the castle nut is your main problem as the spline is tapered and the stump jumper would have not only up and down play but tilt play also. Check for wear on the splines if you pull off the stump jumper.

 

[muzzy123]

There is no grease leaking out so i am hopefull it is just the castle nut. Are the castle nuts all left hand threaded?.