Anti-Scalp Roller Mod's?

RET · Feb 6, 2004

Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

This question might have fit under the 'custimization' forum, but I thought I might get a more 'Bota focused audience here.
Problem: anti-scalp wheels on BX2200 60" deck wear out in 1 season. Right now, plastic wheels are wallowed out and axles are thinned and egg-shaped. I just ordered replacement wheels and axles at Tractorsmart.com today.
Before I get the 'raise them higher' comment.... I have the wheels as high as I can get them while ensuring they are reasonably effective at scalp control. My yard is VERY rough right now. I'm sure that is a big part of the problem. I started adding some fill dirt in bad areas last year and will continue in earnest this year. But, with all the honey-do's on my list for the next year or two, smoothing the property is a longer term goal.
So, on to the question that I have not seen discussed in quite a while.....
Has anybody modified the no-scalp wheels on their mid-mow deck to address this problem?
I've thought about drilling out the OEM wheels and inserting a bushing and also adding a grease fitting as someone a while back suggested, but I don't know where I could find the proper dia. bushing. Maybe I need to search on McMaster.com a little more?
What about purchasing some wheel that already has ball-bearing or at least bushing built in? Has anybody out there done that?
I know that my little JD LX277 lawn tractor has bushing/grease fitting wheels on the rear deack rollers. But, they are smaller and have a thinner axle...afraid they could not handle the punishment that the BX would dish out.

Any ideas and/or personal experience doing this?

Thanks a bunch!
Roger

GregW · Feb 7, 2004

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

Hello,
Hope you can find a solution to your problem. I'm in the same situation as you are regarding the wheels, however I raised my wheels to prevent their destruction.

The mower deck wheels are a poor design and a disgrace to a otherwise fine tractor design. I would have gladly paid a few hundred more dollars for a deck with ball bearing wheels. I would expect to see wheels like the Kubota has on a Murray or a MTD riding lawn mower.
I understand the concept of the plastic wheels, but they still are a pitifully poor excuse.

Maybe someone can tell us what other wheels that maybe available to retrofit the Kubota deck with too correct this design shortcoming.

I don't mean to start a flame war, but I'm glad to see someone else concerned about the wheels. Other than the wheels I'm very satisfied with my BX 22

Greg Williams

Henro · Feb 7, 2004

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

GregW,

Are you also having a problem with the wheels wearing out like RET is, or do you just dislike the idea of plastic?

I don't have a problem with the plastic, but also don't have that many hours on my bx...certainly would not like the plastic if it starts to wear like RET is experiencing!

I wonder if one could put a grease fitting in the plastic wheel?

Have to take a look. Sure would prefer a ball bearing center, like you indicate, that sure would match the otherwise good quality of the mower.

RET · Feb 7, 2004

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

My wheels take a real beating on my rough property (coupled with my stubborn insistance on mowing at the highest speed in which I can still hang on). If I raise the wheels any higher they will be eseentially useless.
If I knew where to get brass sleeves of the correct ID, I would get 4 of them, drill out the plastic wheels, insert the sleeves, then drill a whole thru the side of the wheel and thru the sleeve and install a grease fitting (after cleaning up all the filings of course). There was a posting from way-back where someone did that...had a machinist sort of friend who helped him do it.
Anybody know where to get some brass sleeves? Anybody know the dia. of the wheel axles?
I think I will also look at some mower parts web sites to see if I can find some wheels that are roughly the same size with bearings...or at least meallic sleeves and grease fittings.
Roger

TomPh · Feb 7, 2004

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

RET,

I have had similar problems with the anti-scalp wheels too.

Toward the end of last season I modified each wheel hub by drilling a very small hole, about 1/8", at an angle on each hub on each side of the roller.

The small hole allows me to use a device on the end of my grease gun that looks something like a sharpened pencil which is hollow that can mate up with the holes I drilled in each hub. This allows me to grease the hub from both the front and rear of each wheel. I have been doing this at each mowing. It only takes about 5 minutes of my time. I can't see how it will hurt anything. At least I am supplying good lubrication where none existed before.

As for the angle to drill the holes, just make them shallow enough so that you can get the device to mate up okay with the hole such that the body of the wheel isn't in the way. You'll see the grease coming out around the shaft so that you'll know it's getting lubricated.

I got my device at an auto parts store. Has a regular grease fitting on one end to hook to your grease gun and the pointed end again mates with the holes you drill in the hubs.

TomPh

PineRidge · Feb 7, 2004

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

<font color="blue"> My wheels take a real beating on my rough property (coupled with my stubborn insistance on mowing at the highest speed in which I can still hang on). If I raise the wheels any higher they will be eseentially useless.
If I knew where to get brass sleeves of the correct ID, I would get 4 of them, drill out the plastic wheels, insert the sleeves, then drill a whole thru the side of the wheel and thru the sleeve and install a grease fitting (after cleaning up all the filings of course). There was a posting from way-back where someone did that...had a machinist sort of friend who helped him do it.
</font>

Ret I am sure that if you check your yellow pages under bearing distributors you will find lots of dealers that carry sleeve Oilite bearings. They should suit your purpose well. These bearings are also referred to as self-lubricating bearings.

GregW · Feb 7, 2004

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

Henro,

My wheels are not worn out yet, because I keep them adjusted to prevent them from rolling on the ground, but if I keep them adjusted to prevent them from rolling it causes the mower to scalp in terrain that is only slightly rough.

I grew up using a Gravely Professional Series 18 HP riding tractor. The Gravely deck was far superior to the Kubota's.
The Gravely's deck was designed to roll on the ground to follow the contour of the terrain. The wheels were heavy duty ball bearing type and would last for many years of service.

My yard is a typical sub division yard, but it has a few rough areas that will cause the mower to scalp. I mow the lawn no lower than 3 Inches to reduce scalping.

If the Kubota's deck wheels could handle it I could mow much lower, but I feel that any rough treatment of the wheels will cause them to melt the plastic. For short trials I have set them to a lower position which causes them to roll on the ground more. This greatly improves the mowers ability to cut lower without scalping the lawn, but I know it will lead to deck wheel failure.

Greg

DaveNH · Feb 7, 2004

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

My left front really takes the beating.
Heat caused the plastic to melt
and then the wheel stuck, making a small plow.
So, I'm watching here for a good long term solution.
I like the sleeve solution so far.

RET · Feb 7, 2004

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

Guys,
Just came in for a break. Been out in the shop finishing a new wood cutting board for my sweetie. She went out for a few minutes and I brought it in, washed it, and rubbed it down real good with boiled linseed oil. When she got home and saw it, she was very happy. No dog house for me tonight!

Looks like there are several of us with the same complaint.
Tell ya what...I'll volunteer to lead up this effort. I'm going to do a little researching, find a potential solution, then buy the parts and try it out, then report on my success. I'll keep you up to date about what's going on. Since I'm in the deep south and will be mowing by the end of this month, I should be able to get some 'field testing' done while many of you are still blowing snow.
Sound OK?
Now...got to go back to the shop and start a new project. My cub scout troop has to build a couple of wooden benches as part of their required 'achivements'. I have to go out and cut up the wood, round off the edges with a router, etc, so all the boys have to do at the meeting tomorrow is nail and screw it all together (I'm even pre-drilling the nail and screw holes to make this go smoothly - these are 9 yr olds with 30 second attention spans /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif).
Have a good weekend folks!
Roger

RET · Feb 10, 2004

Re: Anti-Scalp Roller Mod\'s?

I've been doing a little surfing on the net looking for ideas. Attached is a pic of a wheel from Caster City.com
It has a 1000 lb capacity in the 5"dia X 2" width size (toughly the size of the OEM roller). But, the tread is not 'rounded' and could be more apt to 'grab' somehting in a sharp turn.
I'm looking for something like this in a 'quick-turn' style....rounded sides that will skid sideways better.