Mowing New mower deck assembly problem?

toolz_not_toyz · Nov 18, 2005

While unloading my new 48" finish mower deck yesterday I noticed something funny: the U shaped arm that connects the quick attach plate to the deck is installed on an angle. I think it's assembled incorrectly. Looks like someone bolted one of the brackets into the wrong holes on the deck. I assume it's supposed to be straight.

Here's a pic looking straight down at the assembly. Note the arrow where I think the bracket (on the right) should be bolted to.

beenthere · Nov 18, 2005

Do you get to take your pick as to which side is 'wrong' ??

Piedmont3 · Nov 18, 2005

Maybe it is the new upgrade that will deflect part of the clippings beside the PT instead of directly back at it. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

KentT · Nov 18, 2005

( Do you get to take your pick as to which side is 'wrong' ??

)
For safety's sake, I'd use the front holes if possible -- and if it doesn't cause clearance problems with the tractor.

This would place the center of balance such that the back of the mower should always drop down when you lift it up with the lift. You certainly wouldn't want the blades spinning with the back of the mower higher than the front....

My old 60" deck doesn't appear to have an extra set of holes...

My 60" deck

toolz_not_toyz · Nov 18, 2005

I think you're right. Any of the other pictures I've seen of these decks so far have the right angle brackets lined up with the spindle cover. I don't recall having seen any other pictures with three holes on each side. But what an oversight! Does anyone look at this stuff before it goes out???

Off topic: Hey does everyone else have oval id tags riveted onto each piece of equipment? You can see one in the mower deck picture (lower left corner).

J_J · Nov 18, 2005

My PT-1445 has one of these ID tags, and all my implements have them.

KentT · Nov 18, 2005

I've noticed those metal ID tags on some of my attachments, but I can't swear that each one has one...

MossRoad · Nov 18, 2005

Yes, every attachment and the tractor have the tags.

Yes, your mower is assembled incorrectly. YIKES! Send that picture to Power Trac and ask them to ship you the missing bolts! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

atwood · Nov 18, 2005

My 60" is mounted towards the front or in the front mounting holes. You would think someone at PT would have caught that one? Hope this helps.

toolz_not_toyz · Nov 18, 2005

( Yes, your mower is assembled incorrectly. YIKES! Send that picture to Power Trac and ask them to ship you the missing bolts! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

)

Missing bolts? I figure I'll just use the ones that they put in the wrong holes! Maybe they could send me a PT mug, a t-shirt, or shorter seat belt, or a box blade or something. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Phils · Nov 18, 2005

Pretty sad that nobody at PT noticed such a glaring and obvious assembly error!! I hope you take the recommendation to send the photo to them.

At least it won't be difficult to fix. Did it seem to put undue stress on the crossbar tabs, such that they would now be bent or out of alignment once you reassemble correctly?

I've got those same three holes on each side of my brush hog, with the rear pair unused. I've also got the oval metal labels on the PT and all attachments.

And I'll also agree with the comments from your other delivery thread: nice home! pretty PT! We all now have a benchmark photo and expect all future photos to show your PT in similar shape.

Phil

blackwell · Nov 18, 2005

Front holes are for the 425 and the rear holes are for the 2425.

tracdoc · Nov 18, 2005

Woah! Now that's gollywompered for sure, Toolz. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif What can you possibly say, except for a big Oops! I am certain Terry and crew will be embarrassed, to say the least. They certainly don't pride themselves on shoddy work. I would definitely bring this to their attention in a constructive spirit. Easy fix, fortunately, but it shoulda' never happened.

Did you get your new toy....er, tool, properly dirty yet? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RegL · Nov 18, 2005

I'm beginning to think PT does read this forum and when someone from here orders a tractor, they through in a little curve just to here us grumble. lol!

toolz_not_toyz · Nov 19, 2005

( Did you get your new toy....er, tool, properly dirty yet? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

Not yet. Hopefully tomorrow....errr, after I fix that mower deck. That's the first thing I want to use. Actually, I guess it's the second since I made ample use of the forks the other day. Even loaded the empty pallets into my pickup. Sweet. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I do really feel tempted to go and dig a big hole some place though. Too bad a couple of the neighbors fixed all of the pot holes last week....and even used up all of the materials. That was going to be my first project! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

toolz_not_toyz · Nov 20, 2005

Update. I got to use the mower deck yesterday. But perhaps this deck is just cursed. After mowing the lawn the raised the deck to blow it out with the leaf blower and noticed something missing: one of the blades.

Since I knew I had started with three blades, having counted them when I re-assembled the way it should have come from the factory, the first thought I had was that I must have hit something hard and sheered the bolt off. But if that had happened, a piece of the bolt would still be stuck in the spindle end. There was no bolt. The threads are clean. The blade just went missing.

So the problem I have with this AWOL blade and bolt is that....aren't these bolts supposed to be threaded so they tighten as the spindles turn? And the other thing....I don't suppose PT actually has a torque chart and they check everything with a torque wrench or torque limiter as they assemble these components. Clearly, that bolt and blade must have been loose and in retropsect I guess I could have checked them when I fixed the deck....but then that would mean I should check every bolt and nut on this brand new machine.

Guess I'll be sending that photo to PT along with a request for a replacement blade. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

stray · Nov 20, 2005

Sorry but I just had to laugh when I started reading your note. I sure hope you find that blade before the mower finds it next time you mow.

cqaigy · Nov 20, 2005

Guess I'll be sending that photo to PT along with a request for a replacement blade /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Um...at least the weather's been nice. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

toolz_not_toyz · Nov 20, 2005

It's a darn good thing the weather has been nice, foggy but still nice. Nothing worse than getting a new to...piece of equipment....and not being able to use it. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I found the blade today while blowing leaves. It was just sitting there on the grass complete with the bolt. Looks to me like the threads at the end of the bolt are stripped. By the way, the LM bucket makes a pretty good leaf transporter. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif