Flail Mower Let's talk flail mowers
- Thread starter TNhobbyfarmer
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Good morning Flail Mower Nation,
I am having problems with the bearing clamp bolt for the main shaft on my Mott 72. It wants to loosen up and has actually fallen out once. I tried blue thread locker, but it did not work (maybe I didn't use enough). There are no unexpected vibrations at 540 operating speed. Any suggestions?
I am having problems with the bearing clamp bolt for the main shaft on my Mott 72. It wants to loosen up and has actually fallen out once. I tried blue thread locker, but it did not work (maybe I didn't use enough). There are no unexpected vibrations at 540 operating speed. Any suggestions?
leonz
Super Member
Good Morning EdwardB,
Is this on the driven side of the flail mower rotor or the drive side-V belt pulley side-Still waking up here so bear with me.
I don't have a copy of the PDF for that manual on this computer but I know that you can find it in the flail mower threads.
Tired, gggrrr.
Is this on the driven side of the flail mower rotor or the drive side-V belt pulley side-Still waking up here so bear with me.
I don't have a copy of the PDF for that manual on this computer but I know that you can find it in the flail mower threads.
Tired, gggrrr.
Thanks Leonz. That's odd...there are grease fittings on each bearing. But that is the number on the bearing that is in there, and I have faithfully greased these.
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Fallon
Super Member
They may or may not be the original bearings, depending on the age of the mower.
The replacement bearings for my old 917 from Messicks are sealed ones to replace breakable ones. Could be a supply issue for an old mower, or a design change. Sealed bearings are a lot better than they use to be. And overgreasing can blow out seals, causing worse problems. So many manufacturers are moving to sealed bearings in some cases. Lots of cheap lawnmowers are doing this on their spindles & not even removing the grease zerks. Likely a price & quality issue on some of those. But a sealed bearing is a little more expensive than an unsealed one.
Yeah, even some high quality commercial mowers (Exmark for one) are moving to non-serviceable spindle bearings, with the expectation of a very long life.
I'm not worried either way, just need to get some. Vrismo has them (I called yesterday) but they are $131.85 each. They are the entire 4-bolt flange bearing instead of just the bearings and raceways. I may check Tractor Supply or Runnings to see if they have any, although they would likely be Chinese.
I'm not worried either way, just need to get some. Vrismo has them (I called yesterday) but they are $131.85 each. They are the entire 4-bolt flange bearing instead of just the bearings and raceways. I may check Tractor Supply or Runnings to see if they have any, although they would likely be Chinese.
leonz
Super Member
Hello and good morning Troverman,
If you have a Kaman Industrial supply store nearby
they will be able to help you and they stock a lot of
bearings.
Apparently W.W. Grainger now sells directly to the public
and if they have an office near you, you can check with them
about your bearings and the prices.
The Timken Fafner flange and bearings are still made here in the USA as
far as I know.
The folks at Seal Master would or should also have an equivalent bearing and
housing as well since these bearings and housings are used in many applications.
If you have a Kaman Industrial supply store nearby
they will be able to help you and they stock a lot of
bearings.
Apparently W.W. Grainger now sells directly to the public
and if they have an office near you, you can check with them
about your bearings and the prices.
The Timken Fafner flange and bearings are still made here in the USA as
far as I know.
The folks at Seal Master would or should also have an equivalent bearing and
housing as well since these bearings and housings are used in many applications.
leonz
Super Member
Good morning EdwardB,
I think that you need to purchase a Helicoil repair kit for your flail mower rotor
replace the bad threads in the stub shaft of the flail mower rotor.
To anchor the Helicoil in the bolt hole you need a wide flat screw driver to make sure
it is bottomed in the bolt hole to make sure it is locked in place as it will make a big
snapping noise when it is secure.
After that you can use a new bolt and blue Loctite to secure it making sure you use a torque wrench
to properly torque it.
If you can purchase a fine thread helicoil to replace the bad threads please do that as the fine threaded
bolt will have more holding power and the blue Loctite will be more insurance for the work.