Mowing Rough Cut Mower Problem

[Charlie_Iliff]

First it vibrated, then I smelled smoke. So, I assumed the smoke had gotten out of a spindle and I would have to send to Tazewell for some bearings with new smoke. Until further diagnosis, I restrained the impulse to use Tazewell and cuss words in the same sentence as I considered the tubes of expensive synthetic racing grease that I had pumped in about every 4 hours of the 300 hour mowing history.
This happened, of course, while I was trying to prepare a horse pasture for a wedding to take place in two weeks -- pastoral setting, don't you know.
After blowing off the grass clippings, and removing the covers, I noticed a bolt lying near the right spindle -- then another. Then I discerned that the three remaining bolts were loose, and that the spindle was barely connected to the deck, loosening the belt and allowing for considerable wobble. I only cussed Tazewell a little when I found that I couldn't get at the bolts with an air wrench without removing the pulley. 5 minutes with 13/16 box wrench later, all ran true and smoothly. Smoke was from belt slip, but no belt damage visible.
But, the pasture is still just a pasture with shorter grass, not a formal lawn.. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[BobRip]

That sounds like the finish mower, not the rough cut mower. The rough cut mower only has one spindle and no belts.
I am glad you solved the problem.
Bob Rip.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

<font color="red"> That sounds like the finish mower, not the rough cut mower </font>
Nope - it's the rough-cut. The deck is similar or identical to the finish mower, with 3 spindles, but the spindles have big stump jumpers like brush hogs, and hinged blades. It falls between finish mowers and single-spindle brush hogs/slashers. Sedgewood and I have the same system. I've found it to do both brush hog and finish chores quite well, using some thin high-lift blades that Sedgewood and I cobbled up.

 

[BobRip]

OK, you have the 1845. My mistake.

Bob Rip

 

[Sedgewood]

<font color="red">I noticed a bolt lying near the right spindle -- then another </font>

In my case it was the center spindle. Which when IT gets the colly wobbles, it takes out the cush drive spider /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif The nuts are regular ol' tapered lug nuts snugged up to a drilled but not countersunk hole. Not a bright idea as the concentrated vibration forces pound out the edge of the hole. I think when I put it back together I turned the nuts upside down but I'm not quite sure; that was some time back.

Wait'll you see my new caster wheels.. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Sedgewood

 

[pajoube]

Wait'll you see my new caster wheels<font color="red"> </font>

OK, this is of high interest, lets see the pictures.
PJ

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

<font color="red"> I think when I put it back together I turned the nuts upside down but I'm not quite sure </font>
Bet'cha didn't
They're trailer-type lug bolts with tapered heads, not nuts, at least on the side spindles. No reason for center spindle to be different, so it probably is. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[marrt]

I assume that's AMSOIL racin' grease. How do you like it? Just bought a case but haven't tried it yet. Supposed to be good for both fast moving and slow moving parts. One grease for everything...I hope.

 

[Sedgewood]

<font color="red"> OK, this is of high interest, lets see the pictures. </font>

Ok - here's a picture.

After suffering many many flats, punctures and roll-offs with the front caster wheels the last straw was breaking the center hub out of one of them. That finally sent me off to in search of a solid wheel setup. Counterman Mike at Columbia Tractor patiently spent a fair bit of time with me looking through his catalogs and I finally settled on 13 X 6.50 - 6 solid rubber tires mounted on wheels with a 7.25 inch long hub which comes fitted with tapered roller bearing cups. The tires will certainly be a huge improvement as will the tapered roller bearings. I hope the rims are tougher too! (BTW, I don't know who makes these tire/wheel assemblies but they came with an Exmark label on them) There's a full parts list on my website here with Columbia Tractor's part numbers should anyone be interested in a set.

The sleeve bushings I used to cut four 7/16in long spacers. These form a surface for the oil seals to ride on and project 1/16in beyond the wheel hub so the hub doesn't rub on the caster yoke.

The caster yokes as built by Power-Trac have 7 inches between the arms. A few carefully applied whacks of a 10lb sledge spread them to 7-1/4 for the new hubs.

The 3/4 x 10 bolts are a little long (to get a long enough unthreaded portion for the axle) and were later cut to just accomodate the nylon lock nuts.

Sedgewood

 

[Sedgewood]

<font color="red"> Bet'cha didn't - They're trailer-type lug bolts with tapered heads, not nuts, at least on the side spindles. No reason for center spindle to be different, so it probably is </font>

Bet'cher right. My notes show I replaced them with 1/2 x 1-1/2 NF bolts & nuts /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

1)open mouth 2)stick foot in 3) if caught out, check for facts /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Sedgewood