Rear Finish Mower Gear Driven Rear Finish Mower

[BillyP]

I've often wondered why they don't make a gear driven RFM. Would it be that it would drive the price up too much? The price of belts isn't that cheap either.

 

[Nasty135]

BillyP, I guess because they would be less forgiving,instead of belt slipping there would be bent blades,broken shear pins,etc. when something unexpected was mowed like rollerskates or tree stump, not to mention gear whine /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
just my thoughts

 

[nomad]

Possible reasons I can think of (without thinking much)

High speed (2800-3000 rpm) will require a good alignment and wear resistance in the gear transmission system. This will make manufacturing harder and expensive. Especially, a gearbox (cast body) is the major cost there because not many company can machine bearing sections of such high speed gearboxes in good tolerances. Italians will not want to spend some more money for production and finish mower is not available in Turkey, at least till I make it available.

A similar question; disc mowers are gear driven systems. Why isn't pulley-belt transmission used in disc mowers? Belt-system can reduce or increase the price of disc mower?

 

[jimg]

Disc mowers are basically what youre thinking of. Theyre very expensive to buy and fix. Maybe this is why belt is so common...you really dont need more than V belts for the job so why do more? Who would buy it when less expensive units are available that work just as well and are easier/less expensive to own?

Nomad...I think it could be designed in such a way that large castings wouldnt be necessary. Im sure a design using welded plate could be done. Good question about gear vs belt in disc mowers. I would be interested to hear an answer to that!!