JD Mid-Mount Mowers Maintenance

KTD · Aug 25, 2004

When my new 60" MMM was delivered, the service tech pointed to the knobs holding the belt shields. "Be sure and put some penetrating oil on each knob. Rust on those knobs is a MAJOR item in mower maintenance in the shop."

Well, since the mower is stored indoors I thought that it would ok to wait until I had a few minutes free. A month later I got around to checking out the mower. When I tried to remover the belt shields, I found that the knobs and shafts were quite rusted.

Maybe you want to check yours and get some oil on those knobs.

beenthere · Aug 25, 2004

Too bad the service tech didn't just put some grease on each one before delivery, but at least you were informed. Good tip.

Those shields are the first thing I remove on my new deck. They only serve to attract and hold water/moisture, and keep me from blowing the deck clean after each use. An occasional stick might get tossed up on the deck and it throws the belt (once in 150 hours), but they are for no other use, IMO.

Maybe some desk jockey thinks they are for safety, but no hands or feet are around the belt when the mower is operating so I don't buy that theory.

I like them off. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JDgreen227 · Aug 25, 2004

First time I pulled the belt shields on my 7-Iron deck I noticed the knobs were difficult to loosen, so when I reinstalled them I greased the threads. About every 25 hours of mowing time I pull the shields, blast out the grass clippings with an electric blower, then use a power washer to remove the remainder of the debris.

Whenever I do a lot of loader work (digging and grading) I always pull the belt shields and clean underneath before using the MMM again. My turf tires throw a lot of dirt and gravel onto the deck and despite the shields some of the grit works underneath. I'm sure the debris would accelerate belt wear if I didn't clean it out, so....maybe I should just leave the shields off as you do.

OkieG · Aug 26, 2004

Are these the metal shields that cover the outboard blade spindle pulleys? My 60" deck is 6 years old or so. The panels on mine have latches to hold them in place. Don't know if that is an older style...must be. Placing the panels with the latch system is sometimes a minor nusiance if alignment isn't just right, but no threads to rust.

OkieG

yellowsocks93 · Aug 26, 2004

Yep the older 60" mid mounts come with the latch type metal covers. They were made up until 2000 about then the 60" 7 iron deck came out with plastic shields.

In my opinion the metal shields are much easier to remove. I have had both and still have the 970 with the old style 72''. The 7 iron has so many clips on the shields and the 2 stubborn knobs that are a pain to reah under the center of the tractor.

MikeFromVA · Aug 27, 2004

My brand new 60" MMM has metal covers with the latches...

yellowsocks93 · Aug 27, 2004

Is it a 7 iron? Green or yellow deck? I did not think they made those anymore. When I ordered my 4300 new from the factory late 2001 my boss said I might get lucky and get one of the new green decks. My JD before that had the normal 60'' deck non 7 iron. I know you can still get the 72'' with metal covers as it has been for a long time. The 54 and 60'' cuts have plastic.

bigpete · Aug 27, 2004

The belt covers for my new 60" for my 4110 also use latches on the front with nuts on the back. The 4110 cannot be fitted with the 7-Iron--not sure why. This is the standard 60" HD deck. It's green.