Finishing Mower UGLY Cut

[jeffblumenberg]

I just bought a used Kubota and a 72" finishing mower came with it. I used it today for the first time and the center blade is cutting about an 1" lower then the two side blades. Can anybody help me on why this would be. I lifted the mower up and each spindle and blade look to be in the same position.

 

[4570Man]

Dumb question, but is the middle blade on upside down?

 

[zzvyb6]

Maybe the center blade is the only one actually being driven. Since its driven directly by the gearbox it always has power. The outer ones are belt driven from the center pulley. If the belt is broken or incorrectly wound, then they can be just coasting or just dragged along.

The rest of the Peanut gallery will want a photo of the underside of the deck. Meanwhile, see if all the blades turn together and in the same direction.

 

[jeffblumenberg]

I didi look under the deck while it was running and all the blades seemed to be running at full speed. I do not know if the center blade is upside down, I will check on that tomorrow.

 

[bumperm]

Can you measure (maybe lay a straight edge from one blade tip to another) to see if the blades are mounted all on the same plane (height). Is there a spacer that's installed wrong?

 

[LD1]

Blade may be bent?

IF its cutting LOWER than the outers, its unlikely that it is upside down or missing a spacer. But the outer blades may be

 

[Baby Grand]

When the deck is lowered onto a flat surface, does it sit level?
It may be just a matter of adjusting the gage wheels and anti-scalp rollers so the whole thing rolls flat.

 

[jlgurr]

Once upon a time a blade on my STX was not all the way over the centering hub on the spindle. It still tightened up but was cutting lower than the other two blades by the same height as the hub. E Z fix. Worth a look see. Flip over the deck and lay a carpenters square across all three blades and check height. Turn blades by hand and match ends to check if same height.

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[bigtiller]

When measuring blade tip height, is the front of the deck about 1/4" lower than the back of the deck? If the front is a lot lower, like 2 or 3 inches, that could be the problem.

 

[jeffblumenberg]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. I have to be on a road trip for the rest of the week and when I get back I will check things out based on your input. I'll let you know what I find.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

Worst case is that the deck is bent. My neighbor just bent his hitting a large rock, and now the cut is awful. From what you describe I doubt this is the case because you said the outer blades look even and only the center is off. However, if you have it on a flat surface it's easy to check and something else to eliminate.

 

[jimmysisson]

I would add that looking at a running mower deck would not prove the blades were able maintain speed under load. A was posted, check all for tightness and the way they sit on the spindle shoulder. Shut it off first.
Jim

 

[walter boatwright]

Check the blade position.Also check the deck belt and idlers. The belt might be slipping.

 

[Coyote machine]

Could easily be a bent blade. Pull them all and lay each on top of the other. If one is bent it will be obvious.

 

[jeffblumenberg]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and suggestions. It took me until this past Friday to be able to fully diagnose my problem. As suggested it was a bent center blade. Now I've got to try and find one. The name on the mower is S&L Manufacturing. Can't find them on-line. Anybody ever heard of them?

 

[Coyote machine]

Take the blades to a mower shop, match them up, or let them order you some. Take all the data off the mower data plate too.

 

[LD1]

Yep, just measure them. Length, center hole diameter, and amount of offset if they aren't just straight blades

 

[jeffblumenberg]

Okay I'll try that. They look like pretty basic straight blades with a round center hole. I looked in Tractor Supply today but they didn't have any that long. Where is a good place to try to find some blades?

 

[KennyG]

I just repaired a deck that had one blade mowing too low. The spindle housing was cracked, letting the blade drop. Probably not your problem but it does let the deck still operate and really messes up the cut.

 

[Coyote machine]

Okay I'll try that. They look like pretty basic straight blades with a round center hole. I looked in Tractor Supply today but they didn't have any that long. Where is a good place to try to find some blades?

Independent mower shop. Sears, Walmart, phonebook?