Mowing Rotary Mower blades
- Thread starter MartyH
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JohnMiller3
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- Capital District, Upstate New York
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- Satoh S650G, MF135, MF165, JD5205
<font color=blue>...Are they supposed to be able to swivel ...</font color=blue>
Yes...
Yes...
Bird
Rest in Peace
Like John said, they could be able to swing pretty freely. It's not unusual for a new one to have some paint that causes one or both to not swivel as freely as it should and it's not unusual for one that's been used to get dirt, grass, etc. that keeps it from swinging freely. And while it's probably no big deal if one or both is a little stiff, I checked mine occasionally and sometimes just working it back and forth a few times would loosen it up if it were a little stiff.
I bought one last spring, and both blades were stiff. Spray some penetrating lube around the pins and see if that helps. I had to use a rubber mallet to break mine free. If they are not loose, it will shake the whole tractor due to the out of balance rotating assembly. If you get them freed up a little bit, they will loosen up more with use.
Good luck.
Good luck.
JohnMiller3
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- Capital District, Upstate New York
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- Satoh S650G, MF135, MF165, JD5205
If both sides will turn at all (even harder than you think they should)... get into some 1/2"-1" brush and cut for 30-45 seconds... and they should be somewhat free to turn.../w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif
You certainly don't want any blade to be "bound up" as you can break it and possibly the gearbox... and more importantly being unsafe...
Check with your owners manual and it should explain the torque range of the blade bolts... ~~minimum 300 ft. lbs. depending on blade bolt sizes... (but verify this with your manual)
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/49-211770-JD513Cutterw-ostumpjumper-800.jpg>I attached a picture of a 5' cutter without stump jumper to show the "swinging" action needed on all rotary cutters to function properly...</A>
If you notice how the blades are "offset", so when they hit an obstruction, they will swing back and not hit/interfere with each other...
You certainly don't want any blade to be "bound up" as you can break it and possibly the gearbox... and more importantly being unsafe...
Check with your owners manual and it should explain the torque range of the blade bolts... ~~minimum 300 ft. lbs. depending on blade bolt sizes... (but verify this with your manual)
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/49-211770-JD513Cutterw-ostumpjumper-800.jpg>I attached a picture of a 5' cutter without stump jumper to show the "swinging" action needed on all rotary cutters to function properly...</A>
If you notice how the blades are "offset", so when they hit an obstruction, they will swing back and not hit/interfere with each other...
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You are not going to believe what I found regarding the blades ability to swivel on my brand new 4ft rotary mower. I mentioned that one blade was free and the other a little tight. I took the trouble of removing the flywheel from the gearbox to make getting to the blade attach easier. In turn I removed both blades and found the shoulder on the one blade's attachment pin was too short by some .030 which was binding up the blade. I'm glad I pursued this. Now I need to get the correct pin and put it all back together.
JohnMiller3
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2001
- Messages
- 2,517
- Location
- Capital District, Upstate New York
- Tractor
- Satoh S650G, MF135, MF165, JD5205
<font color=blue>...my brand new 4ft rotary mower...</font color=blue>
Hummmm... not a Howse by chance... Is it? /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif
(By the way... if it is... they will send you replacement parts at no charge...{under warranty})
Hummmm... not a Howse by chance... Is it? /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif
(By the way... if it is... they will send you replacement parts at no charge...{under warranty})
