Mid-Mount Mower 914 MMM front wheel

[Neil L]

Is something I am doingwrong in some adjustment, or is a design flaw, that the right front wheel seems to take a lot of impact? I don't have a particulary rough yard (4 acres) but in the past 2 years I have been able to snap 2 of the verticaly adjustable spindles.

Thanks,
Neil

 

[TCBoomer]

Wow! Your snapping one of the front casters? Where's it breaking? I've been using a 914A MMM for close to 9 years and never had any problems with it. It's one BEEFY deck IMO

2 things come to mind...
Lack of grease?
Or the cushion lift is not set up correctly. Are you familiar with it? The tractors hydraulics are supposed to carry part of the weight of the MMM, it's not designed to to be run with the full weight on the casters.

 

[Neil L]

TC,
I am not familiar with how it should be set up, I got the tractor with the 914 already on with low hours. I do not drop the lift all the way down. The deck seems to be just draging along beating what ever is there. Everything is well greased, but it is not what you might call "floating", just bang bang,along. The spendel broke both times at one of the height adjusting holes.

THanks,
Neil

 

[kennyd]

TC,
I am not familiar with how it should be set up, I got the tractor with the 914 already on with low hours. I do not drop the lift all the way down. The deck seems to be just draging along beating what ever is there. Everything is well greased, but it is not what you might call "floating", just bang bang,along. The spendel broke both times at one of the height adjusting holes.

THanks,
Neil

I am not familiar with your mower or tractor...BUT from your description the setup is wrong, and/or you are not using the 3PH or remote valve to hold the deck at the cutting proper height. The wheels are anti-scalp wheels, they are not designed to carry the weight of the mower-it should be suspended from the tractor via linkages.

I suggest you visit a dealer and get the manuals for your mower so you can go over the setup.

 

[Inspector507]

I have 5 hard years on my 914 MMM, no problems. The wheels should ride about 1/2" above the surface, only contacting anything when you hit uneven ground.

 

[Neil L]

Ok, maybe I should raise the wheels and control the height with the hydro and disregard the height markings on the mower which indicate inches of cut.

Will try tomorrow and let you all know if I am just in the slow group and working against myself.

 

[TCBoomer]

TC,
I am not familiar with how it should be set up, I got the tractor with the 914 already on with low hours. I do not drop the lift all the way down. The deck seems to be just draging along beating what ever is there. Everything is well greased, but it is not what you might call "floating", just bang bang,along. The spendel broke both times at one of the height adjusting holes.

THanks,
Neil

I didn't think the lack of grease would be likely, but threw it out there anyway. I thought it might be breaking at the bearing.

It does sound like your problem is related to improper cushion lift adjustments. If you search the NH forums there are a few threads that discuss the correct set up procedure. Here's one which I found to be very useful and easy to understand.