Mowing Moments with the Mower

[NJBill]

I ran hard into a banked area while turning, with the mower set on float.
Uh uh Correct ! Just pushed the right front caster tire off the rim.
Up until this week, I did mower aservice with a chain hooked under the front wheels, and lifted with the Q A Plate.
NO MORE, I like the new way much better. So - it's a couple of extra manual steps ! For safety, and convenience I think it's worth the effort.
During this thinking process, other mower 'mentions' came to mind, which pop up periodically on the forum.
Forgive me if I am repeatying something you have already read, or figured out for yourself./
Think of the ramblings of some old guy you met along the way.

For now, park your mower against a solid object, ( I used a building ) then disconnect the QA.

I'll be Back

 

[NJBill]

That's good, now the mower can't get away from you
Remove the two rear stop bolts for the yoke.
I marked them "A"

 

[NJBill]

Now push the yoke forward. The QA swivel point will make contact with the hoses of the blade motor.
Now. Re-install the two bolts "A" but this time also pass them through the hole "B" in the stop plate. Tighten if you wish but is not necessary.

 

[NJBill]

Now you can pick up the mower, set it at your selected height, and get on with the service

Howzat ??

 

[pajoube]

WOW, you certainly have good safety work area under the deck.
I have to admit that I just bring the deck up to full height and tilt and work (clean) in this manner.
I do like your idea.
PJ

 

[Clarke]

Cool!! I like it

sg

 

[NJBill]

Me again.
I wondered why we had extra threads extending from the caster wheels. After searching my favorite local surplus yard, I found that 6 1/2 inch bolts were the shortest you can find to get a solid (not threaded) shaft for the bearingless wheels to ride on.
One good thing, if you make sure you put the threads inwards, you could always fasten them together to have straight ahead wheels ????

 

[NJBill]

While we're on that particular subject. If you loosen the nut and allow the wheel carrier to open up you will find about 3/16 inch gap.

 

[NJBill]

Now - Retighten the nut enough to allow the wheel to turn, and you will find that the wheel is being held by only a fraction of the bearing surface. I have already bought the necessary shims to make a better fit.

 

[NJBill]

Before I developed the easier access move I was going to face all the grease fittings the same direction. If you look at the mounting plates, it's a simple 180 degree turn of the 51/4 by 6 inch plates.
I'm guessing all the PT's are assembled alike, no thinking.