Finish Mower Mods

[GaryE]

After a very rainy spring and then spending a few weeks out of town, I found my fields were some what over grown. Not to worry, I just upgraded from my B-6000 to my L-3710. The woods RM-59-1 ( I think) would handle the job just as it did in the past. I just needed to replace the blades due to the difference in PTO rotation direction. With the added PTO HP of the 3710, this should be a piece of cake! Or so I thought.

The first pass I noticed the new belt I just installed was smoking. So I stopped. Found the grass was wrapping around the spindles. So I got out my knife and cut it lose. Figured it was just a fluke, when my B-6000 got in grass to high, it just bogged down. So I went at it again, throttle up to PTO speed and here we go....... Same thing, but now it threw the belt. See attachment.

Houston, we have a problem.....

It seems with the added HP the engine does not bog, but the deck just slips, stops cutting and then just wraps itself to death. This is not good.

 

[GaryE]

So I call my local Wood's dealer and ask if there are some type cups or guards for the spindles, they tell me NO.

So I run out to my local steel supplier and get 3 pieces of schedule 80 pipe and 3 pieces of 1/8 steel plate and go at it.

 

[GaryE]

A little welding, cutting, welding, grinding.... problem solved. Worked like a charm!!!!!

 

[familyman]

If I see one more good reason for me to get a welder....
Nice job! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Nasty135]

Gary , Great job! good fix for a repeating headache..You must not have a bushog /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Did you sharpen blades while you had them off?... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[PineRidge]

Good idea.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Does spinning that cup cause any excess vibration while mowing?

 

[GaryE]

<font color="blue"> You must not have a bushog </font>

No, but after throwing the belt I was ready to go get one! This was a lot cheaper!

 

[GaryE]

<font color="blue">Does spinning that cup cause any excess vibration while mowing? </font>

I was worried about that when I started. I was very careful to make sure the cup was centered and as ballanced as I could make it. To my surprise, no vibrations. I think the spinning mass is so close to the center of rotation a little bit of unballance is not t big deal. Got lucky /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[GaryE]

<font color="blue"> If I see one more good reason for me to get a welder.... </font>

Where else are you going to rest your welding helmet?

 

[oliver28472]

Gary, I have a RM-48 that went through a change of rotation also. I didn't know it was a reverse unit when I bought it and the blade bolts would not stay tight. Fortunately I had a junker that was other wise the same but correct rotation. Swapped the spindles and was OK. The bolts for the correct rotation are left hand threads.

 

[GaryE]

Edward,

This unit must have started life as a "correct" rotation. The bolts in the spindles are left hand thread. I did not know they used different spindles... makes sense.

Guess I was lucky they never came lose. I always tightened them down with an impact wrench, so that may have helped.

My fear is after turning in one direction for so many years, the bearings / bushings will fail soon spinning the other way.


Gary