PM Maintenance check for the 2544

[1olddawg]

A couple of problem have popped up on my 2005 model 2544 with less than 2 mowing seasons. Wouldn't hurt to check...
1: two cotter pins have failed (wore out?) The first was on the front anti-scalp roller. The roller fell off while I was mowing. The second failed today on the deck lift arm causing the deck to drop to the right rear anti-scalp wheel.
2: I replaced my second idler pully today. This was the tensioner arm on deck. Bearings were shot. The thing got so hot, the bearing shield which came off set the grass on top of the deck on fire!! No blaze, but it was smoldering. The first idler was the one on the front of the deck during the first season. It was replaced by the dealer under warranty. The one today I had to buy. The dealer said it was "normal wear" and was not covered. These pullys aren't worth a d___. No way to grease or oil. Failure is a matter of time. I will now keep a spare for the next time one of them decides to go belly up. A word to the wise.....Jerry

 

[1olddawg]

A couple of problem have popped up on my 2005 model 2544 with less than 2 mowing seasons. Wouldn't hurt to check...
1: two cotter pins have failed (wore out?) The first was on the front anti-scalp roller. The roller fell off while I was mowing. The second failed today on the deck lift arm causing the deck to drop to the right rear anti-scalp wheel.
2: I replaced my second idler pully today. This was the tensioner arm on deck. Bearings were shot. The thing got so hot, the bearing shield which came off set the grass on top of the deck on fire!! No blaze, but it was smoldering. The first idler was the one on the front of the deck during the first season. It was replaced by the dealer under warranty. The one today I had to buy. The dealer said it was "normal wear" and was not covered. These pullys aren't worth a d___. No way to grease or oil. Failure is a matter of time. I will now keep a spare for the next time one of them decides to go belly up. A word to the wise.....Jerry

 

[Fordlords]

Very strange-- the ball bearing idler pulley has been used on the CC decks since their very beginning, and I've seen the idler wear at the shaft and at the mounting, (normal lifespan 10-15 years) but have not heard of the bearings themselves fail quickly, good sealed ball bearings should not become contaminated easily or wear quickly unless defective or inexpensively made. The cotter pins are probably made of too soft of steel, hardened cotter pins are available, but here again should be the standard on a 2500 CC not something one fusses with on a year old machine.

-Fordlords-

 

[Fordlords]

Very strange-- the ball bearing idler pulley has been used on the CC decks since their very beginning, and I've seen the idler wear at the shaft and at the mounting, (normal lifespan 10-15 years) but have not heard of the bearings themselves fail quickly, good sealed ball bearings should not become contaminated easily or wear quickly unless defective or inexpensively made. The cotter pins are probably made of too soft of steel, hardened cotter pins are available, but here again should be the standard on a 2500 CC not something one fusses with on a year old machine.

-Fordlords-

 

[JTKub]

1OD, I hear ya on the cotter pin deal. I noticed that last year and added a big washer between the pin and the roller. *knock on wood*, my pullies and idlers are all good. One thing I noticed this spring is I had to tighten up the bolts for the front axle. There was some major play between in the steel frame chanel that the pivoting cast iron axle sets in. Snugged it a bit to take up the slop & all is good.

Joel

 

[JTKub]

1OD, I hear ya on the cotter pin deal. I noticed that last year and added a big washer between the pin and the roller. *knock on wood*, my pullies and idlers are all good. One thing I noticed this spring is I had to tighten up the bolts for the front axle. There was some major play between in the steel frame chanel that the pivoting cast iron axle sets in. Snugged it a bit to take up the slop & all is good.

Joel