Why is this happening

[Rogator]

Ok that worked. If you look at the picture you can see how all 3 blades are cutting on an angle. The blade on the right of the piture is the worst then the one on the left is not as bad. The middle blade has a very slight angle that I could live with.

The service manager and salesman both said they would call me today and let me know what was happening but neither did.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

The picture worked fine. I can understand why your so mad. When I purchace trucks at work and have a problem I cant get resolved with the dealer I call the manufacture rep. and can usually get things resolved. One thing I would sugest is to keep a log of what you have done,what the dealer has done and any conversations with the dealer. When push comes to shove this info. will help (lawyers).

 

[Rogator]

Here is a little better veiw of my problem.

 

[Soundguy]

If you are using new, true/flat blades, and they do not measure the same distance tot he concrete all the way around.. the spindle is not installed perp tot he deck.. or the deck is slightly bowed/convex/cave... get a ruler out and start making measurements..

Soundguy

 

[GreenDeerJohn]

Rogator, I have a 2210 with the 62" deck and I've been pretty happy with the cut. Of course I had to readjust the deck after I received it from the dealer as they had not set it up properly. I remove my deck after every mowing for cleaning and storage and I do not have to reset it every time. The only time I've had to readjust it is when I started using the PowerFlow head on the right side of the deck. It weighs that side down and you have to readjust things side to side.

Your pictures tell it all. Your deck is bent! Something has happened to it that has caused the spindle mounting points to no longer be in the same plane. If you had to replace two warped blades, I'll bet you money that during shipping or set up, someone managed to bend both your blades and the mounting pads of the spindles. The spindle assemblies are very stout, so I'm not surprised the deck took the beating.

As a mechanical engineer, I'd love for the dealer/service guys to explain how a mower deck can achieve that cut and be considered OK and not bent. Bent blades would still cut level, but might be lower or higher than the one next to it. Yours are definitely angled relative to each other. Good Luck.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[joerocker]

I noticed that you seem to have a slope there...does it "scalp" on the SAME side when going in either direction across the lawn? Maybe the larger deck is just TOO wide for that slope? I'm just reaching for explanations here...

 

[Rogator]

Hi joerocker. The lawn is almost completely flat there. The scalping is always on the same side of the mower.

The service manager called me on my cell on friday 10 minutes after I sent the following email. While I was talking to him the salesman called on my home phone. "As you can see in the picture all three blades are cutting on an angle. I went to my neighbors yard and leveled the deck on smooth and level concrete and this is the result. Your mechanic said these marks are from the tires.Unbeleivable! Your Service manager said maybe the deck is just to big to be leveled. Again an unbeleivable comment that i'm sure John Deere would not like to have their employees making. I was told I would receive a call about this problem from both John and Cameron by the end of the day on Thursday and it did not happen. Today I had a salesman from another John Deere dealership come to my yard and look at the job this mower is doing. He said this is totally unexceptable. I have sold my other tractor and will need to cut my grass on sunday or monday. Could I please have an answer about what is going to happen with this problem. I'm sure you would not allow your grass at Greenland to be cut with this mower for your customers to see. Please call me as soon as possible." He said they would pick my tractor up on tuesday and check it over again. he wants to do some measuring on it.

My plan is to not except this deck back if they try to fix it. I am afraid there will be problems further down the road such as pulleys not running straight and burning out belts.

I have 12 hours on this tractor and only about 4 of them are from mowing. I bought a new tractor with a new mower and that is what I feel I should have. Not a fixed up deck for the price of a new one.

I have spent about 10 hours trying to readjust this deck and also had to adjust the three point. I have made three trips back to the dealership (about 25 miles one way) to discuss my problems and about a dozen long distance phone calls. I think all of my problems should have been notice during set up.

I will let you all know how I make out next week.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Stick to your plan!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bob

 

[daTeacha]

Let them deliver it when they think it is fixed. Make them mow a strip or two. See how it works. If you aren't happy with it, have them load it up and send a picture of what it did along with it. Tell them to keep the tractor until it's right. Then insist on a free loaner to keep your lawn trimmed up.

 

[jesseb3@att.net]

My guess, helped along by Soundguy's thoughts RE the blades being bent during shipping due to blocks under the deck - If enough force was applied to bend the blades, surely the spindles are crooked. Think of the leverage gain you'd get over the length of the blade.

And over that length, the spindles wouldn't have to be visibly crooked to make a large difference in height at the tip of the blade.

Whatever the problem is, I'm looking forward to how they explain their way out of the dumb comments they've made!

Good luck.

 

[BobReeves]

Hey, I have an old Murry that cuts better than that, paid $200.00 for it 3 years ago, wanna trade

 

[Soundguy]

Nothing like saying lots of things that can't be proven.. It truly makes me wonder what the mechanic from the dealership was thinking when he said that stuff. Is he really uh.. that bad of a mechanic.. or is he just trying to pull a fast one?!?! Makes ya wonder. ( And if it was one of those things he said.. like air in the tires.. you'd think he flip an air line or pump to a tire, then check them.. and -PROVE- he was right.. )

Soundguy

My guess, helped along by Soundguy's thoughts RE the blades being bent during shipping due to blocks under the deck - If enough force was applied to bend the blades, surely the spindles are crooked. Think of the leverage gain you'd get over the length of the blade.

And over that length, the spindles wouldn't have to be visibly crooked to make a large difference in height at the tip of the blade.

Whatever the problem is, I'm looking forward to how they explain their way out of the dumb comments they've made!

Good luck.

 

[Soundguy]

Hey, I have an old Murry that cuts better than that, paid $200.00 for it 3 years ago, wanna trade

Speaking of murray's. I've got one of their economy units from walmart.. bought it for cheap.. and use it like it's cheap. I think i paid 700$ new, in 1997-1998 or so. It's had a new air filter and battery and a new spark plug, and 2 sets of blades, along with yearly oil changes... that's it. Starts of the first kick.. no smoke.. good power... Mows 98% as good as my neighbors green machine he paid in the 3000$ range for.. though i fully expect his to outlast mine.. all the same.... In any case.. back to the point. I did my yearly oil change on it this weekend. On sunday I was stopping by my buddies house and he knows I'm into tractors.. so he says.. want to help me change the oil in my lawnmower. ( he's not mechanical ).. turns out he has the same model.. from 2 ys ago.. only difference is a cup holder in the fender... neat machines. I'd figer for the price they just wouldn't last... but they just keep going.

I've got an old push mower from early 90's it was an economy 99$ job from pic-n-save. I still have it.. starts on the first pull. Has had 2 sets of blades.. occasional oil changes, a spark plug, and 1 wheel... which I liberated off a similar model in the scrap heap at work. ( I also liberated the 3 other wheels, pullstart cover, and carb and fuel tank.... figure I need extra's... )


Soundguy

 

[Rogator]

Well they came ang got my tractor on tuesday(for the third time) to check it again. I can't beleive the time they are waisting on this. Not only mine but there's. I have been able to use this tractor 13 hours in 5 weeks. I have not had an appoligy and have not been offered a loner.

The service manager phone late on tuesday afternoon and said they did all kinds of measuring and found no bent spindles. He then said he called John Deere and they sugjested giving me a new deck. Duh!!! This only took a month for him to figure out. I said it sure would have been less hassle for both of us if he had just done this in the first place. He said nothing to that.

He told me my tractor would be ready next monday. I said my grass needs to be cut. He asked if I would like them to bring my tractor back with the bent deck to cut my lawn. Unbeleivable. I said not a chance. He said that was as good as they could offer and by the way was I aware that pick up and delivery was not free for warranty work. I said good luck trying to collect that.

After I got off the phone with John Deere's employee of the month I went to another dealer and bought a 200cx loader, supplies for my 50 hour sevice( if I ever get there) and a spinner nob.

I talked to the owner of this dealership and explained my problems. He said if it continues I should bring my mower deck there and he would have the problem fixed. Yes I'll admit I bought from the wrong dealer. I told him that was very good of him and he will have all my future sales and service business.

When I get my tractor back I will let you know how it all went. Thanks.

 

[daTeacha]

Don't be shocked if they ask for a check before they unload it at your place after your comment about not paying for pick-up and delivery. Can you get it yourself? Are you ready to call JD about the charges for an obvious factory or dealer originated problem?

 

[ocaj11]

Any updates to this saga? I'm curious. I just sold a Kioti Tractor because the service was pitiful. I'd like to think the big Green and Yellow wouldn't treat a customer like this.

 

[Soundguy]

I'm curious as well.

Soundguy