Bearing replacement on Swisher trail mower

[mfallavol]

I know there are a few individuals out here that have a Swisher trail mower and have replaced the bearings. Would you mind sharing a bit of info? I've got a bad bearing; the one closest to the blade. I've removed the entire shaft (with the blade) but can't figure out how to remove the blade mount plate from the shaft so that I can remove the bearing. Is it just a taper fit? If so I would think that there would be a key or something to keep the shaft and the plate from moving relative to one another but the parts diagram doesn't show it. I've tried clamping the plate in a vice, backing out the bolt about a 1/4" and hitting the bolt with a hammer but I'm afraid to do that too much and screw up the threads. For those of you that have done this, how did you do it?

-- Mike

 

[mfallavol]

Well, in case anyone comes here looking for an answer, I'll answer my own question. The blade mount plate is threaded and screws onto the shaft. A little PB-Blaster does wonders. That and a little heat and I didn't even need a wrench on the shaft.

-- Mike

 

[Idoitall]

Well, in case anyone comes here looking for an answer, I'll answer my own question. The blade mount plate is threaded and screws onto the shaft. A little PB-Blaster does wonders. That and a little heat and I didn't even need a wrench on the shaft.

-- Mike

I have the same mower and I have had a lot of trouble.. First it would eat the main belt from the engine. What it is when I got to looking, the plate the engine sits on is not lined up correctly. I had to make the mounting holes larger on the back of the "engine mounting plate" to get the belt to line up correctly. Seems I had to let it down in the back about 1/4" and left the front the same. After that I have never had to replace the belt again. Now I am replacing bearings.. Same one closest to the chute. My bearing was completely gone when I noticed the noise. I knew the blade adapter part would screw off but no luck. I heated it. Put in a vice and beat it, used pipe wrenches and no luck. I just ordered the new shaft and all the other day from Swisher. I had ordered 2 bearings a while back and these here fit perfect and are a lot better than the original ones. Premium Seal 6204 2rs bearings. I get mine off of Amazon for $3.95 each and free shipping. I ordered me 4 more today as I am going to replace all of them at once and hopefully I can get the other 2 apart without buying the shaft and all again. I have used this mower for about 8 yrs on and off and after the "belt fix" I never had anymore trouble until this bearing issue.