What's This Bolt For?

   / What's This Bolt For? #1  

MikePA

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Had TC25D, now JD X310
What\'s This Bolt For?

What's the silver bolt to the left of the spring hinge (see attached) for? As far as I can tell, it keeps the grass chute from lifting up.

Anything else?

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   / What's This Bolt For? #2  
Re: What\'s This Bolt For?

What's is look like on the bottom side? Just a wild guess that either you're right about it keeping the grass chute from raising too high, OR it was used to hold everything in place while they did those welds.

Bird
 
   / What's This Bolt For?
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Re: What\'s This Bolt For?

The bottom is just the head of the bolt. Nothing else unusual. The bolt actually keeps the chute from moving up at all, which I thought was weird.

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   / What's This Bolt For? #4  
Re: What\'s This Bolt For?

You are absolutely correct about that bolt, it does keep your chute from moving. Most dealers remove it during set up. It is your choice to leave it in there or not. If you do, obviously your chute will not ride up on any obstacles and get bent.
 
   / What's This Bolt For?
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Re: What\'s This Bolt For?

Because the chute can't move, it has already ripped some sod up.

I just checked the manual...

Step 1 - Remove the deflector shield from its shipping position. Save the 3/8-16 x 1 shipping bolt as it is used in Step #4 to fasten the deflector shield to the deck.

Steps 2 and 3 explain how to install the roll pin and torsion spring.

Step 4 - Install a 3/8-16 x 1 bolt removed in step #1, from the bottom, thru the deflector, and fasten with a 3/8-16 lock nut.

I don't understand, why have a hinged chute at all with instructions like this?


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   / What's This Bolt For? #6  
Re: What\'s This Bolt For?

OK, now I think I understand. If you're mowing where there's a possibility of something being thrown out of the there and you want to be absolutely sure the chute doesn't move, then you leave the bolt in, but most folks probably leave it out so just that spring holds it in place, but leaves it with some flexibility..

Bird
 
   / What's This Bolt For? #7  
Re: What\'s This Bolt For?

Mike
My <font color=orange>Kubota</font color=orange> 2910 MMM has a similar bolt. I have never used it./w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif With bolt removed I can flip discharge chute up to get into tight places./w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

The chute on my B7100, 48" mower developed a stress crack from always bouncing./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif After welding up crack I installed bolt. It never cracked again./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

There is a thread started by glennmac on Mowing With Discharge Chute Up that may have some good information about your bolt./w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

I use a combination of up and down depending on area that I'm mowing./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif


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   / What's This Bolt For? #8  
Re: What\'s This Bolt For?

Mike,
That bolt is refered to in some circles as a "Ralph Nader" bolt. New Holland's legal department requires that the bolt be installed to prevent any mishaps. The design is obviously to allow the chute to swing out of the way, not tear up sod, and certainly not get bend under standard mowing conditions. It is up to us to remove the bolt. The liabilty is therefore ours, not the dealers. I will say that I have bend my chute (even without the bolt) on occasion. It works well as a "shear pin" when you clip that tree or post, so the deck and lift mechanism isn't damaged. The sheet metal straightens out very easily.
 

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