Mowing BX2200 mower deck noise solved

rbarker · Jul 31, 2004

I was having a strange vibration type noise that would come and go and seemed more prevelant after a half hour or so of mowing. It was significantly loud enough for me to stop the mower the first few times it happened and look for something broken or tangled. Finding nothing I finished mowing and wondered if it would happen again. In the mean time, I read the thread about greasing the spindles and how much grease it takes. I went and got my air powered grease gun and pumped about 50 pumps into each of the ends and 10 into the middle until I could see it come out the top.

This didn't help and the noise continued, and seemed to be getting more frequent. It began making the noise on spin down after disengaging the PTO and I figured I had a junk spindle probably caused by not enough grease.

Yesterday I had some time and a new set of blades (which had never been changed or sharpened in a year and three months /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif) so I pulled off the deck and found that the right side blade would actually turn without the other two blades turning. When I went to remove the blades with my air gun the bolt on that side came off very easily and had obviously been slightly loose. I took all the cups off and checked for grease and found things in good order so I reassembled everything and cut the grass with no noise of vibration at all.

So I guess the point of this long winded story is, if you are experiencing any vibration or unexplained noise under the deck you should consider checking the bolts that hold the blades on.

at_obuk · Jul 31, 2004

I like to include checking the blades in my yearly spring maint. when I change oil, sharpen blades, grease. Got use to that with my old power-trac 184 and the White LT-12 riding mower. We mow rocks up here in Susqueanna Co. PA so we have to pay more attn. to our blades. It seams every year I get a new crop of rocks popping up, always manage to mow a few.
Looks like I'll be greasing my Kubota mow deck more often.
Glad you found the problem, hope I remember that if I hear or feel any vibration.

Eric P.

ZackaryMac · Jul 31, 2004

Funny about that, isn't it. There is nothing more dis-heartening than the boom-bang of a rock flying out from under the deck just after replacing/sharpening the blades. Just like when I smoked the brand-new deck belt the other day, less than 3 minutes after replacing it...found some hidden chicken wire in tall grass...*sigh. Belt was ok though.

Glad you found your worrysome noise. I guess the blade was turning enough not to leave the grass high on that side?
My middle blade came loose, also vibrating strangely, then I noticed high grass in the center due to my blade not spinning at all. MAN, was that bolt hot! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

DSM · Jul 31, 2004

Since the blades are retained by bolts with two cup/spring washers, I have been using a torque wrench for tightening. I would think they used that set up to let the blade stop or slow briefly if necessary without the pulley damaging the belt or otherwise shocking the rest of the system. Sears Hardware has torque-bar type wrenches, which work fine. for a reasonable price.

Junkman · Jul 31, 2004

what is the torque setting that you use on the bolt??

rbarker · Jul 31, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I guess the blade was turning enough not to leave the grass high on that side?
)</font>

Well, I wasn't getting the greatest cut but I figured that it was because I was too lazy to put on a sharp set of blades! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

NY_Yankees_Fan · Aug 1, 2004

Per the manual 72-87 ft-lbs. I always use a torque wrench when putting on the blades and have not had a problem. For me, this thread was a good reminder to do so in the future too. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif