Mowing BK mower deck falling apart

[asylum575]

I was mowing with the BX and noticed an odd noise coming from the deck. It was coming from the right side, near the side discharge chute. Sounded like metal clanking about.
I took the plastic guard off the top of the deck and noticed alot of dirt. I thought maybe the dirt was restricting the deck sheave/pulley from turning freely. After hosing the area clean, I noticed a 1" 5/16" bolt laying on top of the deck and upon closer inspection, I noticed this.



BTW, Title should be BX deck falling apart.

 

[asylum575]

Upon further inspection, I looked at the other side. 2 of 4 bolts were loose and the right side was missing all 4 bolts. The bolts are actually 8mmx1.25threadx25mm in length. I picked up some replacement bolts and gave the deck a good cleaning and greasing. Fired it up and it mowed flawlessly.

Two Question
1.Are these bolts shear type bolts that should be changed to original specs?
2. Looking at the second picture, it looks like the bolts were in there loose for a while and deformed the metal. DO you think it(pulley) needs to be replaced?

 

[thavil]

Somebody else had the same problem two months ago http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/144592-bx-deck-warning.html. I think I will check the bolts everytime I grease for now on.

 

[BigD23]

I've not been into that particular part on my BX yet...Are those bolts tightened including a lock washer? Aircraft nut? Thanks for sharing.

Don

 

[asylum575]

It's secured with a lock washer. I'm thinking of adding a nylon coated locking nut ot nutcap.

 

[asylum575]

Somebody else had the same problem two months ago http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/144592-bx-deck-warning.html. I think I will check the bolts everytime I grease for now on.

Thanks for the link. He experirence exactly what happened to me, except I had all 4 come completely out.

 

[GreenLawnFarm]

with all the vibrations, it's time to check all the bolts on the whole tractor.

 

[pintodeluxe]

Upon further inspection, I looked at the other side. 2 of 4 bolts were loose and the right side was missing all 4 bolts. The bolts are actually 8mmx1.25threadx25mm in length. I picked up some replacement bolts and gave the deck a good cleaning and greasing. Fired it up and it mowed flawlessly.

Two Question
1.Are these bolts shear type bolts that should be changed to original specs?
2. Looking at the second picture, it looks like the bolts were in there loose for a while and deformed the metal. DO you think it(pulley) needs to be replaced?

In regards to question 1. above: no, those are not designed as sheer bolts. The sheer bolt for the MMM is built into the mid pto driveshaft. The belt could also slip if the blades hit something solid. Therefore heavy grade 8 bolts and lockwasher + locktight is appropriate. I prefer locktight over locknuts because they are easier to assemble, and locktight is not affected by frictional heat. Just my personal preference.
Best of luck!

 

[Czbilly]

When this happened to me, all the dealer did was install new bolts with nylon lock nuts. I was just checking these tonight and all were still tight. I am still getting a lot of bearing noise from the deck but dealer said nothing was wrong so I'll run it till there's a problem.

 

[radioman]

perhaps its time to add this to our daily maintainence to check these bolts when we put the deck back on in the spring ? I know I'll be checking this while I try to figure out whats wrong with my top dail knob lift problem this week.

 

[mantis]

Glad I searched for this.

I'm happy I'm not the only one who had/is having this problem. Last week I noticed that I was missing a bolt on the left side pulley, so I replaced it and tightened the rest of them on the left side. At that time I checked the right hand pulley, and all seemed well... it wasn't. On Sunday I was mowing, and about 2 hours into the job the mower started making horrible sounds. I immediately shut down, and now the right pulley was missing 2 bolts, and the remaining two were loose.

Time to pick up some blue loc-tite. :thumbsup:

 

[KubieTwo]

Glad I searched for this.

I'm happy I'm not the only one who had/is having this problem. Last week I noticed that I was missing a bolt on the left side pulley, so I replaced it and tightened the rest of them on the left side. At that time I checked the right hand pulley, and all seemed well... it wasn't. On Sunday I was mowing, and about 2 hours into the job the mower started making horrible sounds. I immediately shut down, and now the right pulley was missing 2 bolts, and the remaining two were loose.

Time to pick up some blue loc-tite. :thumbsup:

If you have that much vibration, I would wonder if you have either a bent blade or one (or more?) badly out of balance. There is an expected amount and an excessive amount of vibration on a mower deck. The results of some of the posts suggests vibration on the unacceptable side, most often caused by one of the above, with a more rare possibility of a bent spindle shaft.

 

[broncorm]

I had problem with the bolts right pulley on my bx, last summer. Dealer replaced the pulley because the holes were elongated. After that always check the bolts before installing the deck

 

[asylum575]

I was the OP, so let me give you an update.

I was able to get a schematic and tallied up my order.

$250

I had the pulleys on both sides and on one side I needed a complete rebuild from the main housing on down including all the bearings and spacers.

Easy rebuild, tough purchase.

I noticed the problem, soon after ordering my BX in 2007. It wasn't my
main mower then. When it became my main mower, it got progressively worse, then poof.

I rebuilt it earlier this year and it has performed flawlessly since.

My original post of 7/09 included pix with elongated holes. The bearings didn't go until this spring. I kept replacing and tightening bolts until it went. Probably have 30 hours since the rebuild, no problems

 

[broncorm]

My deck was less then six months old so it was warrantied.

 

[mantis]

Mower deck warranty is 12 months. My mower deck is 14 months old.

So, is there anything I can do now to avoid expensive repairs? If I replace the pulleys will that save me from a complete rebuild?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[dodge man]

I have a BX2350 with a 60" and haven't had any problems with mine. I have about 150-200 hours on my deck, and have used it pretty hard. I have ruined a couple of belt though. I'm not sure why, but at over 100 bucks a shot, I'm hoping this one last a while.

 

[ChuckinNH]

It is hard to listen to problems like this when these decks cost more than some riding mowers. Yes, we always have to expect an occassional problem, but this stuff is expensive, and should be pretty bullet proof. I guess I'm spoiled sine I have well over 2000 hours on two Simplicity mower decks (1500 on one, 700+ on the other), and have never changed anything but blades, and a couple of blade bushings (my fault). I certainly am not looking down my nose at the Kubota decks, and may own one, but this is discouraging news.

 

[funwithahoe]

It is hard to listen to problems like this when these decks cost more than some riding mowers. Yes, we always have to expect an occassional problem, but this stuff is expensive, and should be pretty bullet proof. I guess I'm spoiled sine I have well over 2000 hours on two Simplicity mower decks (1500 on one, 700+ on the other), and have never changed anything but blades, and a couple of blade bushings (my fault). I certainly am not looking down my nose at the Kubota decks, and may own one, but this is discouraging news.

Keep in mind it is much less likely that someone is going to post a thread that their mower is and has been working great. I am sure lots of people have simplicity mowers that broke a lot. Also, with mowers there is a lot that depends on the operator. What one person might consider normal operation another might consider extreme abuse. I have seen the kids that work on the local landscape companies use their mowers as rock crushers but hey it's a lot easier than getting off the machine to move the rock. Oh and if they can't crush the rock this week don't worry it will be right there waiting for them every week all summer.:laughing:

 

[ChuckinNH]

I should have said that I have been lucky to not have had deck problems, and I doubt that Simplicity decks are any better than Kubota, JD, or Massey. Still, it is reasonable to expect that a deck this expensive from any manufacturer should be pretty bullet proof.