Mowing TZ18DA...mower problem...HELP PLEASE!

[Pud2]

I have a TZ18DA that has about 60 hours on it, is a little over a year old.
Has the 54" MMM on it.
App. 10--15 hours ago, the front wheels on the mower started coming off, actually was grinding out the centers on them.
I had noticed that mowing had been gradually getting more and more "uneven", but couldn't figure out why.
Never thought to look at the wheels centers...duh /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Anyway, I put on some new wheels on the front of the mower,all was OK.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Then, this past weekend, I am mowing, and notice the cut swaths are starting to get that "uneven" look again.
I look at the mower front left wheel, and notice what looks like shavings coming out from the wheel center. I THEN look at the mower front right wheel, and that wheel is GONE!!!
/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

After only about 3-4 hours of time on them!


What is happening to my mower? I still cut at the same heights, etc. I did all last year...why am I wearing out the front wheels on the mower??
Would appreciate any help you folks would care to share....I believe there is normally no weight on these wheels...correct?
I use the tractor to mow a FLAT grass runway, so I just don't get it!!

Thanks for some advice! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[BadDog]

Try putting some grease on the wheels. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Also, make sure they spin freely, and they are aligned in a sensible direction. Make sure that the wheel mounts are not bent, and make sure the axles aren't bound up somehow... The axles could be bent, rusted, or tightened up somehow (wire, etc).

If they don't spin easily or in the right direction, they are going to wear out really fast.

Mowers take a heck of a beating and wheels will fall off. Grease and regular attention are the only way to ward this evil off.

 

[SacandagaBrad]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( .I believe there is normally no weight on these wheels...correct? )</font>

Do the TZ models use a cushion lift system similar to the TC models? The cushion lift is a spring loaded system off the three point hitch that is set up to allow the tractor to support most of the weight of the mower, with the gauge wheels in light contact with the ground to follow contours. On my TC-24, the 60" 914A deck is approaching 500lbs (470ish?) and there is no way the gauge wheels would support it, in fact they would plow through the sod. When I adjust it, I do it on a hard surface. Lower the 3PH lever until the wheels are just touching the ground. There is a set screw on the slot for the 3PH lever that is then set so you return to the level each time you lower it. Is the TZ the same? I check my wheels to make sure they swivel easily, i.e. very little weight on them. The manual says you should be able to lift a side of the mower easily with one hand when it is adjusted properly. I know the centers of my gauge wheels would get chewed out too if they had to support the entire weight of the deck.

Long story short - if the TZ is set up with the cushion lift, make sure it is adjusted correctly. It didn't seem like the tractor should support the deck when I first started, but it has to by design and does a great job of mowing.

Hope this helps.

Brad

 

[thcri]

Brad has it right. I think the TZ has the cushion lift just like the TC series. On concrete lower your deck until the wheels just barely touch the concrete. Then move your draft up to where your arm is and lock it in place. This is where you want to mow at. Same lesson I learned, I burned my first set of wheels out too.

murph