RFM adjustment help

[ikline]

I have a BushHog 72" RFM. I have used it all season with no issues. I took it off last week (which I have done many times) and just put it on this weekend to mow. As I was mowing I noticed the one of the rear wheels would spin occasionally (not the way it is suppose to). Actually both were doing it but mostly the one. It was digging in the turf at some spots. I checked and it appears hooked up correctly. Top link is loose enough to allow free movement. When it is one flat ground it is not really in the air but it seems like it is easier to spin then the front ones. Then I started to second guess myself and think did it always do this. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[MicroPilot]

I have an RDTH 72 also. Are the spacers on the spindle wheels all even? Is your adjustable lift arm on the tractor adjusted to level the mower from side to side? Are the lower 3PT pins on the mower moving up and down properly?

 

[ikline]

Yes, Yes, and Yes. But I will double check again tonight.

 

[MicroPilot]

Maybe get a straight edge and try to see if the deck is warped somehow.

 

[ikline]

That's just what I was thinking. I hope it is just an adjustment that I overlooked. A warped deck would sure ruin the evening.

 

[KiotiJohn]

Sounds like you may just have something restricting the tire rotation such as rust, debris build up or other problem. Often the tire will rotate as long as there's no pressure on it, such as having it in the air to check, but then put pressure on, it becomes intermittently a problem.
Try putting some graphite on all the moving areas of the tire and see if that helps after assuring there is not debris getting in somewhere and blocking movement. John

 

[MicroPilot]

If his mower is the same as mine all the wheels have grease zerks. The wheels on my RFM seem to use a lot of grease. It takes 6 or 7 squirts from the grease gun each time I use it to fill back up.

 

[ikline]

Yep, they are greased up plenty. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to look at it last night. Not sure if I will be able to look at it tonight (open house at the kids school). I will check back when I figure it out. Thanks again

 

[khd]

Not sure if I understand about the wheel...do you mean wheel spin or castering?.

When I got my RFM the manual said it should be adjusted so that it is level when lifted by the 3ph. When down the hitch is all the way down and the deck rides free on it's wheels. I've not paid attention before and not let the 3ph down untill stopped and had an intermitten wheel spin and gouging before I realized what was wrong.

My deck goes on and off each mow and by getting it level when lifted I get the same reults every time.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[MicroPilot]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Not sure if I understand about the wheel...do you mean wheel spin or castering?. )</font>

I thought he meant castering, which would also mean the wheel could spin free.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( When I got my RFM the manual said it should be adjusted so that it is level when lifted by the 3ph. )</font>

Level Front-to-back or side-to-side or both? I think it would only matter side-to-side, and then adjust the top link for proper slack when the RFM is lowered.

 

[ikline]

Sorry about the confusion.

Castering ( I am a fairly new kid on the block, still learning the lingo.)

When I lower the RFM it is resting on all 4 wheels freely. That is why it is confusing to me.

Rained all last night didn't get a chance to check for level.

 

[PineRidge]

Are the RFM wheels actually damaging the turf or are you concerned because they seem to spin at times for no apparent reason?

 

[khd]

<font color="blue"> I thought he meant castering, which would also mean the wheel could spin free. </font>

I know there was a reason I asked it but can remember why...but now that I re-read it castering would enable spin....Duh....oh welll

<font color="blue"> Level Front-to-back or side-to-side or both? I think it would only matter side-to-side, and then adjust the top link for proper slack when the RFM is lowered.
</font>

I always level my 3ph arms before putting on an implement as I don't use a wrench on the jamb nut so it tends to work itself free and starting with a level implement makes thing a whole lot easier.

I specifically level it front to back. The top link attchment is a free swinging channel just as the lower arm pins are on pivoting plates so esentially the deck rides on it's wheels and the up and down movement allowing the deck to follow the terrain comes from the moving pivots on the rfm not movement of the 3ph. If I think about the theory: if the deck isn't leveled front to back to align the attach points then putting the 3ph down still won't allow the pivots to work in unison causing a wheel not to bear it's weight. The 3ph arms don't move when the deck goes up and down the 3ph has to be adjusted to allow proper pivoting of the deck.

Hope I'm not babling here...been a long day. The bottom line is if I start with level arms and then a level deck while raised I get repeatable results everytime.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[ikline]

The rear wheel is actually digging into the turf and leaving marks.

 

[sweettractors]

<font color="blue"> The rear wheel is actually digging into the turf and leaving marks.
</font>

I suspect that your wheek "Fork" is bent and or the fork vertical shaft is bent. If not, the support arm for the wheel assembly may be loose or bent.--Ken Sweet



Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New First Choice Finish Mowers and Roto Tillers in Orange Color*

 

[ikline]

Well, I finally had time to put the RFM back on last night. I think I might have found the problem. Not sure how I overlooked this but it was not level from side to side. It was off by about 1/4 inch. I did not have time to test it last night. I didn't finish until about 10 PM and also the ground is still pretty soft from all the rain we got from IVAN. I will try and test tonight if it dry's out enough. I hope that was the issue and nothing is bent. But only time will tell.

 

[ikline]

I finally got to test it last night and it still was spinning and shimmering around. I took the wheel off and checked the shaft and it was straight. So then I took one of the front ones off and switched them. It works much better now. It still seems like the one back wheel carries less weight and can bounce around a little more than the other three. Started to mow and all of a sudden I was attacked by hundreds of bees (or wasps) (I didn't hang around to get a formal introduction) As I was jumping off the tractor I turned it off and went back after dark to get it. More mowing tonight so I can look at the rear fork more tonight. Almost forget to mention, I did not get stung. They were all over me, I definately got lucky.