PZ 170 mower bad vibration

powerscol · Jun 19, 2018

While cutting hay today after about 8 acres the mower made a bang sound an immediately started vibrating - like hitting a big rock. I stopped and checked everything (no rock), drums and blades OK ,PTO OK so it must be something internal. In free spin it seams normal, but put a load on it like cutting and it acts like its way out of balance PTO shaft. PTO shaft is solid and the belt drive looks good, so I am assuming something internal? Any thoughts? There is a lot of sheet steel to remove to get at the internals. I have the owners manual so will start there tomorrow.

I knew there was a reason I kept the IH 1500 sickle mower - did pretty good.

powerscol · Jun 20, 2018

Good news. It was just a missing blade. When I checked it in the field I must have missed it was missing one, It still was cutting good - go figure.

cabinhollow · Jun 20, 2018

With drum mowers just breaking off 10% of the blade can put them out of balance.
The rim speed is way higher, than on a disk mower.
Still getting my new SaMasz 210 lined out, have just cut 6-7 ac with it.
Over the last 25 years, I have went from a 165 to a 185 and now a 210.
The 210 is a big jump from a 185.

powerscol · Jun 21, 2018

cabinhollow said:
With drum mowers just breaking off 10% of the blade can put them out of balance.
The rim speed is way higher, than on a disk mower.
Still getting my new SaMasz 210 lined out, have just cut 6-7 ac with it.
Over the last 25 years, I have went from a 165 to a 185 and now a 210.
The 210 is a big jump from a 185.

Someday I will have a bigger tractor. There is a good side to this. I took the PTO to the dealer to have it checked. It was just about to loose a C clip or something. They fixed and greased it for free. I went ahead an picked up a full set of new blades and a extra one to replace wahy was lost. I put a couple of spares in the manual tube just in case and will carry the tool with me on the tractor.

Texasmark · Jun 28, 2018

Mine came with 3 blades per drum but there were mounting holes for 6. I ordered the blade adapters and adapted up to 6 per drum. Never lost a blade so I don't know if that would be noticeable or not.

To put in the extra 3, I had to change the timing as a blade on one drum ran right where I wanted to put a blade on the other drum. Popped the top (the long cover to the partially oil submerged gear section), loosened the mounting bolts (150 ft-lbs type guys), raised the far end of the connecting drive shaft (inch and a half solid steel shaft as I recall), just enough to get the gears to slip a couple of teeth and put it back. Very very heavy duty drive system for these drums and no parts...a shaft , a couple of gears, a couple of bearings, a couple of clamps, 4 bolts, and that's pretty much it and what's there is heavy duty all the way. Nothing to break.

So why did I do it? I don't know. First winter after buying it had nothing else to do. Figured if 3 are good, 6 would be better and I could get a quality cut if my blades were somewhat dull with 6 that 3 might not cut as clean. Don't regret it other than it takes twice as long to sharpen them or change them out.....but it only takes a few seconds per blade and the drum rotates around so you can sit in one spot and do the job....no biggie.

powerscol · Jun 28, 2018

Had it throw a second blade (same spot). I think it was because there was crud build up on top of the retainer pin. Enough of a gap the blade could have forced it way through. Once I clean that out (skinny flat screw driver) everything was fine.

Texasmark - how did you get the hex socket bolts on the bottom saucer to move? I have had no luck, but I have not resorted to a BFH and breaker bar yet

Jerry/MT · Jun 29, 2018

powerscol said:
Had it throw a second blade (same spot). I think it was because there was crud build up on top of the retainer pin. Enough of a gap the blade could have forced it way through. Once I clean that out (skinny flat screw driver) everything was fine.

Texasmark - how did you get the hex socket bolts on the bottom saucer to move? I have had no luck, but I have not resorted to a BFH and breaker bar yet

I have a Galfre 190 and I notice that crud builds up on the blade retention system and you have to get it off or it's difficult to remove/replace a blade.

I'm stil waiting for our showery weather to end so I can begin cutting!

Texasmark · Jul 7, 2018

powerscol said:
Had it throw a second blade (same spot). I think it was because there was crud build up on top of the retainer pin. Enough of a gap the blade could have forced it way through. Once I clean that out (skinny flat screw driver) everything was fine.

Texasmark - how did you get the hex socket bolts on the bottom saucer to move? I have had no luck, but I have not resorted to a BFH and breaker bar yet

Actually I didn't have to.....one bolt sheared which left 2 holding the disc on since the lower disc rides on the ground I didn't know I had a problem till I finished the field and lifted the mower. The one that broke came out easily with a punch and PB blaster...where the bolt broke it didn't break straight across...there was a little crown, like on top of the piston of a cross flow 2 stroke outboard motor. I just slanted the punch and drove it ccw till I could get a pair of pliers on it. The vibration loosened the other two.

I'd soak them good with penetrating oil and get a hex socket to ⅜ socket impact tool. Set the tool to light impact and hammer on them, oil, hammer, oil, hammer till they come off...might increase the pressure as you work on them till they give. I have saved many a broken off bolt with impact, both with a pneumatic impact tool and with a boxed end wrench and a hammer strike.

in putting them back in I coat with Blue thread sealer all over to lock and to prevent corrosion for the next time you have to take it apart.

redman135 · Jul 7, 2018

Powerscol, a vibration like you describe can also occur when a blade gets bent(rock impact) and is jammed under the drum.
Cabinhollow is right. Drum mowers are more sensitive to out - of - balance.

powerscol · Jul 14, 2018

Thanks folks
I may get a second cutting if the monsoon's hold up. I got several new blades as spares and hope to pull the lower disk this weekend after getting all the honey-doos done. Then I can really clean up the crud and check for warn parts.

I should be on vacation, but blew a head gasket on my 6.0 ford. At $5+ grand its a huge set back for me. No new truck in my future.