Deere LX4 blade question

[CtRick]

I just purchased a used LX4 and the baldes on it are "fixed". The only other rotary cutter i've seen up close had blades that were free swinging. Kind of like a puppets arms (bent at the elbows) if you were to hold the cutter on its end. This probably doesn't make any sense. The guy I bought it from had just sharpened the blades, any way to overtighten them so that they don't swing independently of the blade holder? Or are they supposed to be like that? It has a slip clutch, if that makes any difference. Thanks, you guys are truly the best!
Rick

 

[mgrick]

First off I don't have a LX4 but as far as I know rotary cutter blades should free swing for obvious reasons.I would take a close look under there and check to see where the blades are attached to the stump jumper and see why there not swinging back.If those blades aren't free swinging you could be in trouble when you hit something.

 

[Bird]

I'm not familiar with that model, and certainly haven't seen all the rotary cutters, but all I've seen had the hinged blades. And overtightening would not eliminate their ability to swing because the bolts have a "shoulder" on them that the blade rides on. Makes me wonder whether the prior owner changed bolts and used the wrong kind.

 

[wisconsinguy]

Hi

I've got the LX4 and went out and looked and the blades should move. The nut should be on the top side of the blade and be torqued to 433 foot pounds, so I would think it would be hard to over torque it. There should be an access hole to get a socket on the nut from the top side, sounds like you have to remove the tail wheel support to get at it. I've got the manual for it if ya have any other questions.

Phil

 

[CtRick]

Thanks for the help. I have the manual, I bought this from a Deere dealer. I asked the salesman about them not moving and he said they weren't supposed to, hmmm. That just didn't seem right to me, thank goodness for you Gentlemen. Now i just have to figure out what's wrong with them /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. Thanks again, at least now I'm sure I have a problem.
Rick

 

[shady1701]

Looking at the product brochure i bet it's just over tightened or frozen since it's only 1 bolt it'd have to pivot. all the one's i've seen move freely and most make a huge racket as they unfold when you first start from centrifical force. There suppose to fold inward to the stump jumper to prevent damage.

What size tractor you use on 4' and do you like it?

 

[CtRick]

I have a NH TC24D, but I haven't used the cutter yet because one of my tires fell off my tractor last week and I haven't fixed it yet. I have a thread on that over in NH owning and operating. I'm chomping at the bit to use it but I guess I've got a couple of things to take care of first (namely my 3-wheeled tractor). /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif