bx2200 mower deck - left blade not loose & not cutting

[horsefarm84]

Hey all,

Subject line is wrong... Left blade spins freely and does not cut.

I think I got into too deep of grass and messed up my left cutting blade... While I was cutting, I started having a loud rumble & vibration from the deck...I turned everything off and checked the blades. While the engine was off, I engaged the blade clutch and the middle and right blade had synchronized tension from the belt but the left blade spins freely. Does anyone know where I should start and do you think this is an easy fix?

Thanks for your help.

ryan

 

[V1Rotate]

I think the bolt that holds the blade to the spindle has become loose. Take a 30 mm socket on a breaker bar and check that bolt for tightness.

 

[Soundguy]

start making observations.

what tensions the othr pullies. is it tensioning the third? if so.. look at the pulley spindle and then hub and attachment nut.

post back

 

[Grandad4]

I think the bolt that holds the blade to the spindle has become loose. Take a 30 mm socket on a breaker bar and check that bolt for tightness.

+1 Had the same thing happen, only the center blade, with first mowing a few weeks ago. The blade had worked just a bit loose from the spindle. Needed only 1/4 turn to tighten. Quick job with the 1/2" impact wrench.

I'd be surprised if mere grass would loosen it. The deck and tractor will eat just about anything still green that you can drive over, but rocks, stumps and other immovable objects can do some damage.

 

[rbarker]

+1 Had the same thing happen, only the center blade, with first mowing a few weeks ago. The blade had worked just a bit loose from the spindle. Needed only 1/4 turn to tighten. Quick job with the 1/2" impact wrench.

I'd be surprised if mere grass would loosen it. The deck and tractor will eat just about anything still green that you can drive over, but rocks, stumps and other immovable objects can do some damage.

Make that +2, only I'm my case I didn't put the washers back correctly after changing the blades.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[RaydaKub]

+3. Mine were so tight when I got it I almost didn't get them off to sharpen the blades. I vowed to make sure I didn't crank them that tight ever again. But then I decided they would be tighter than what I vowed.

 

[TripleR]

+4, if you have already checked belt tension and pulleys and everything is OK, this has happened a coupe of times, I just tightened it up and off it went. As mentioned when you sharpen blades be sure you put the washers back on the way they came off.

As noted, I doubt seriously anything you mowed had anything to do with this situation as I have hit a boat anchor, T post, rebar etc. and only messed up the blade which I resharpened and kept going.

I torque mine at 80 foot pounds.

 

[horsefarm84]

Thanks for all the advice...It appears to be the attachment nut... If I turn one of the other blades by hand, the entire mechanism moves (all the belts and all three hubs.) The nut securing the blade seems to have backed off the blade allowing it to spin freely. I currently don't have a wrench or torque wrench large enough to tighten it properly so I'm off to Lowes. As soon as I have completed tightening the nut and confirmed my BX is fully operational...I'll post back.

Thanks again!

 

[TripleR]

It takes a 30mm.

 

[horsefarm84]

Tightening it did it but it was a job getting it tight enough. I'm sure it is more than 80lbs torque. It looked like the hex fitting bolt on the hub was worn too. I had to put an additional locking washer on the bolt to eliminate the slack to get the attachment bolt to even tighten.

Anywho, I test drove the work by cutting about an acre and a half on medium grass. I did not loosen or vibrate. I will probably go ahead and replace the hub since it seems the hex fitting looks like it is rounding. I haven't priced it yet but it doesn't look like it will be very difficult task.

Thanks again to all...