bx2200 mower deck - left blade not loose & not cutting

[horsefarm84]

Hey all,

Subject line is wrong... Left blade spins freely and does not cut.

I think I got into too deep of grass and messed up my left cutting blade... While I was cutting, I started having a loud rumble & vibration from the deck...I turned everything off and checked the blades. While the engine was off, I engaged the blade clutch and the middle and right blade had synchronized tension from the belt but the left blade spins freely. Does anyone know where I should start and do you think this is an easy fix?

Thanks for your help.

ryan

 

[V1Rotate]

I think the bolt that holds the blade to the spindle has become loose. Take a 30 mm socket on a breaker bar and check that bolt for tightness.

 

[Soundguy]

start making observations.

what tensions the othr pullies. is it tensioning the third? if so.. look at the pulley spindle and then hub and attachment nut.

post back

 

[Grandad4]

I think the bolt that holds the blade to the spindle has become loose. Take a 30 mm socket on a breaker bar and check that bolt for tightness.

+1 Had the same thing happen, only the center blade, with first mowing a few weeks ago. The blade had worked just a bit loose from the spindle. Needed only 1/4 turn to tighten. Quick job with the 1/2" impact wrench.

I'd be surprised if mere grass would loosen it. The deck and tractor will eat just about anything still green that you can drive over, but rocks, stumps and other immovable objects can do some damage.

 

[rbarker]

+1 Had the same thing happen, only the center blade, with first mowing a few weeks ago. The blade had worked just a bit loose from the spindle. Needed only 1/4 turn to tighten. Quick job with the 1/2" impact wrench.

I'd be surprised if mere grass would loosen it. The deck and tractor will eat just about anything still green that you can drive over, but rocks, stumps and other immovable objects can do some damage.

Make that +2, only I'm my case I didn't put the washers back correctly after changing the blades.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[RaydaKub]

+3. Mine were so tight when I got it I almost didn't get them off to sharpen the blades. I vowed to make sure I didn't crank them that tight ever again. But then I decided they would be tighter than what I vowed.

 

[TripleR]

+4, if you have already checked belt tension and pulleys and everything is OK, this has happened a coupe of times, I just tightened it up and off it went. As mentioned when you sharpen blades be sure you put the washers back on the way they came off.

As noted, I doubt seriously anything you mowed had anything to do with this situation as I have hit a boat anchor, T post, rebar etc. and only messed up the blade which I resharpened and kept going.

I torque mine at 80 foot pounds.

 

[horsefarm84]

Thanks for all the advice...It appears to be the attachment nut... If I turn one of the other blades by hand, the entire mechanism moves (all the belts and all three hubs.) The nut securing the blade seems to have backed off the blade allowing it to spin freely. I currently don't have a wrench or torque wrench large enough to tighten it properly so I'm off to Lowes. As soon as I have completed tightening the nut and confirmed my BX is fully operational...I'll post back.

Thanks again!

 

[TripleR]

It takes a 30mm.

 

[horsefarm84]

Tightening it did it but it was a job getting it tight enough. I'm sure it is more than 80lbs torque. It looked like the hex fitting bolt on the hub was worn too. I had to put an additional locking washer on the bolt to eliminate the slack to get the attachment bolt to even tighten.

Anywho, I test drove the work by cutting about an acre and a half on medium grass. I did not loosen or vibrate. I will probably go ahead and replace the hub since it seems the hex fitting looks like it is rounding. I haven't priced it yet but it doesn't look like it will be very difficult task.

Thanks again to all...

 

[TripleR]

Tightening it did it but it was a job getting it tight enough. I'm sure it is more than 80lbs torque. It looked like the hex fitting bolt on the hub was worn too. I had to put an additional locking washer on the bolt to eliminate the slack to get the attachment bolt to even tighten.

Anywho, I test drove the work by cutting about an acre and a half on medium grass. I did not loosen or vibrate. I will probably go ahead and replace the hub since it seems the hex fitting looks like it is rounding. I haven't priced it yet but it doesn't look like it will be very difficult task.

Thanks again to all...

80 pounds is the recommended amount in my manual the best I remember. I too replaced the bolts and cup washers a few years ago as someone had used the wrong size socket and the bolts were rounding off. You want your blades to be able to slip a bit if it hits an immovable object. I hit a boat anchor several years ago and the only damage was a nicked blade.

 

[SamR]

Ok so it often pays to do a search to see older discussions rather than reinvent the wheel. I’ll resurrect this old thread.

A couple weeks ago I had a problem where the middle blade on my bx2200’s 60” deck wasn’t cutting so I tightened up the bolt on the center blade and it cleared up but I only had about 15 minutes of mowing to finish up.

Last week the issue returned and I decided to just swap the blades for sharp ones this past Saturday and check it out then.

With sharp blades installed I was tightening the bolts and noted that the center bolt didn’t draw up. My feeling was that I was overcoming the belt tension and the wrench was making the belt slip but I had it against the wall and was only seeing the underside of the deck.

My BX was new in the Spring of 2000, it has just over 1100 hours on it (not all mowing). The belt on the mower deck looks fine. It is not cracked or showing any damage that I see.

What’s the feeling on TBN? Do we swap out a belt that looks ok that served well for 20+ years or could it be as simple as the spring for the belt tensioner is getting tired and weak?

I looked and the dealer prices I see range from $120-$140 for a new Kubota belt. I see plenty of other brands starting at a fraction of the price but also reviews that say it lasted for 11 hours... leaning towards the Kubota belt but no guarantee that they “make em like they used to”

Thanks
Sam

 

[SamR]

In the mean time the grass was still growing especially after the recent rain. I looked at the variety of posts having to do with a BX and deck belts and ultimately bought a new belt and new tension spring in case mine had grown weak in 21 years. With the new belt and spring installed the cutting performance was restored. The "back" (non V side) of the belt was as smooth as glass and appeared that it was definitely slipping when attempting to tighten the middle blade and likely while mowing as well. I have yet to see any discussion on TBN about how long a belt has lasted or is typical to last but this one was in service from new til yesterday and other than smooth on the backside it was not cracked or frayed.

 

[Grandad4]

My 2005 BX 2230 has about 1100 hours, mostly mowing. Replaced the belt after maybe 10 years and 800 hours (just a rough guess, don't recall the exact date). Made a big improvement in mowing performance!

 

[BravoXray]

I also have a 2005 BX2230 with the 60" deck, 1490 hours, probably half that mowing, and the original belt is still going strong. I have considered buying a new one just in case.

 

[civilian]

I was having troubles on my 54" deck for my BX2230. After removing the blades to sharpen, I had a blade sounding funny. Well it was slipping because the washer had not engaged onto the hex shaft correctly. But trying to tighten with a breaker bar, I could not get it tight enough without the pulley slipping. I had to use an impct wrench to tightened the bolts after I had fingered tightened them to insure proper engagement. That seemed to work.

Dad also has a BX2230, but he uses my 60" deck. (Actually the 54" deck is his.) When changing his blade I can get his bolts tighened with a breaker bar, though we use an impact to break the bolts loose. Just 2 different decks needing different methods. Jon

 

[GreenDuramax04]

I had a similar issue today with my BX2200. The right blade got loose. It would not get tight. I took it off and noticed that the hex shaft had some metal burrs that were keeping the washer from seating all the way. The previous owner must not have installed it correct. I just filed off the burrs and was able to get it tight.

My belt is looking a little old but still going. Not sure if its ever been replaced as I just got the BX last week.

 

[BravoXray]

I have never had a problem with the blades coming loose or slipping on my BX2230 with the 60" deck. I have a 1/2" drive 30mm socket and use a regular length ratchet to remove and replace the bolts. I also keep the threads coated with anti-seize compound. Getting the bearing dust cover, two bevel washers, blade and a flat washer to all line up at once can be a job sometimes.

 

[TGD]

Each blade should have 2 belleville (cupped) washers and one rather loose hex/torx looking washer. Torque is 75lbf. The belleville washers are the 'lock' washers. The cupped side goes against blade and they flatten under the 75lbf torque but will still allow the blade to slip if a rock, or other immovable object is hit protecting the blade shaft. If they are not torqued properly or are upside down the blade loosens.

 

[skipperbrown]

What TGD said. Those washers lose their 'spring' over time and need to be replaced. They aren't very expensive. If your belt isn't holding the spindle tight enough and the shaft spins when you tighten the nut, put a wrench on the top nut too.