How Did I Do This???

[TerryR]

When I finished some mowing with my Bush Hog Squealer a few days ago I noticed something funny. The rear wheel is clearly bent, which is visible when I spin the wheel. In addition, the fork is bent sideways, as is visible in the two photos.



I do a lot of backing into the edge of the woods when I mow, but how does one get enough sideways leverage to bend a caster wheel that's free to swivel??

The fork doesn't seem to be bent front to back.

Terry

 

[RoyJackson]

It's actually not hard to get a "sideways" force on the tailwheel. As soon as you start reversing, the tailwheel swivels...and the sideways force is actually a fore aft force (your tractor in reverse) against the tailwheel when it's close to perpendicular to the cutter. Especially easy to do if the tailwheel binds up when it's swiveling...doesn't take much.

 

[Sideways]

Sideways force, I like the sound of that!