62D MMM Creating Divots with Front Wheels

[ovrszd]

Being that there is no true bearing/bushing in this area, I feel that the cleaning of the shaft is just as important as the lubrication.

You'll clean the shaft every time you pump new grease in and push the old grease out.

 

[YASH2520]

You'll clean the shaft every time you pump new grease in and push the old grease out.

Since there are no grease grooves, being that it was never intended to be greased, you will only push grease out from the spot with least resistance leaving the rest of the shaft contaminated/with the old grease.

 

[h20camper]

From that picture, it appears that the castor wheels are not directly parallel with the tractor tires and the mounts are free to spin left and right. Shouldn't they be locked in a parallel fashion with the tractor's tires?

 

[B8FISH]

After the last round of mowing and divots I visited the dealer again--seems that the JD fix is available. It is a couple of washers and some grease zerks that get installed so you can grease the shafts. We'll see how it works--they need to order the parts, then come install.

 

[RollTideRam]

Next time I'm at the dealer, I'll ask if they have heard of the new fix yet. Until then, a good shot of WD40 before mowing has helped alot. JC

 

[neverenough]

Yep, that's the problem, but what is the fix???

Take the wheels off, weld some plate steel to the back of the castor, and mount the wheel to the new steel. It will move the wheel back, and force it to trail the pivot point. If it was my deck, I think I would also invest in the same type of wheel that comes on the garden tractor decks. It's a shame they went away from a proven design to use that silly system.

 

[neverenough]

After the last round of mowing and divots I visited the dealer again--seems that the JD fix is available. It is a couple of washers and some grease zerks that get installed so you can grease the shafts. We'll see how it works--they need to order the parts, then come install.

If I was a deere dealer, I would be embarrassed with that fix. They should have given out new castor bases that off set the wheel. Sucks that companies design stuff so poorly, then cover it up with cheap crappy fixes.

 

[YASH2520]

Spoke with my dealer today, after two days of searching, they say they can find no updates listed for the 62D MMM

 

[Rural1]

I am having the same problem. I waited 5 weeks for this thing, and now my lawn looks like a war zone. I even tried lifting the deck in reverse. That dosent work because the wheel pivots sideways, and when lowered plows like crazy. Not a happy camper. I don't see this as a lube problem, because the wheels spin freely in the air.

 

[Dutch445]

The question I have about these wheels is this:
Are you running the decks with the weight of
the deck on these wheels all of the time?
If so, have you tried raising the wheels like the
rest of the lawn and garden line recommends, so
that on hard flat ground they are approx 1/4" off the
ground and then only engage the ground if the
tractor wheels drop into a low spot? If this has
been tried, what was the result?
One poster mentioned raising his wheels until a
fix comes along....

 

[Hard]

The question I have about these wheels is this:
Are you running the decks with the weight of
the deck on these wheels all of the time?
If so, have you tried raising the wheels like the
rest of the lawn and garden line recommends, so
that on hard flat ground they are approx 1/4" off the
ground and then only engage the ground if the
tractor wheels drop into a low spot? If this has
been tried, what was the result?
One poster mentioned raising his wheels until a
fix comes along....

I think what you are saying is exactly what the tech from the dealer told me how to set up my deck for mowing. I set the mower deck height with the dial on the floorboard, lower the deck to that point. Then, I set the 4 gauge wheels high enough so I can just slide my hand between the wheel and the ground. So far this has worked. My yard is definately not flat. I will pay close attention next time I mow to see if the wheels are digging in.

 

[papaw]

I am running the deck EXACTLY the way Deere specifies as indicated on the wheel setting decal on the deck. I set it up on a large level concrete pad. The wheels clear the pad as Deere specifies.

When you run it over a yard, however, it makes the yard look like a war zone.

 

[RollTideRam]

I told my dealer about the problems all of us are having. They told me to use JD penetrating oil instead of wd40. That's all I got from them. It worked fine yesterday, but I don't think it is a very good fix. JC

 

[Rural1]

My dealer said there is a fix. Includes new greaseable bearings. It has been ordered, and they will be picking it up next weeek. As others have said, my deck is set corectly. The wheels can be totally off the ground some of the time, but when they do come in contact with it, if they are not aimed in the right direction. It's Plow City.

I also agree that this fix may not work. The wheel axles need to be offset more from the spindle to allow them to pivot. We shall see.

Walt.

 

[papaw]

Rural1,

Please provide the part/kit number for the fix your dealer is installing and give us a report on how well it solves the problem once you have had a fair time to try it.

Thanks,
papaw

 

[Rural1]

My Dealer is picking it up today. I will let you know how it works out.

I still think the axles will need to be offset further from the spindle. I would like to see the front wheel set-up from the Seven-iron deck to compare the offsets.

Walt.

 

[B8FISH]

Mine is at the dealer today--was told it is "just a DTAC" no specific number. Appears to be drilling for some grease fittings, and a couple of washers. Will post results after mowing when it returns.

 

[alfromvt]

Until I saw the photo of the 62D deck, I could not understand how the described problem could happen. I have a 54D on mine, which uses a totally different design for the anti-scalp wheels. Caster wheels would certainly follow the path of of the deck better while turning, and may be better suited with the wider deck, but I think I'd try switching to the 54D style wheels before attempting modifications of the casters. I'll attempt to attach a photo below.

 

[YASH2520]

I have contacted my dealer twice and also e-mailed John Deere, no one can seem to find a product update in the system. If someone who has had this done could provide a kit number or update number, I am sure it would help many of us who are having this issue.

 

[Volfandt]

Interesting. As an outsider looking in it appears that an offset on the front anti scalp wheels may pose a problem supporting the weight of the "drive over" OnRamp feature.
I've not looked at the specs to determine the effected tractors weight but those front MMM wheels have to be able to withstand this weight plus the front to back and sideway motion(s) that no doubt occur when driving onto and over this MMM.
This may be why JD didn't go with an offset originally.

That front wheel assembly has to be pretty robust no doubt and I doubt those rounded plastic wheels, like whats mounted on my 60" MMM would work.

Good luck
Volfandt