Rotary Cutter Help - Woods Dixie Cutter rotary cutter

RussMan · Sep 24, 2007

I bought a used Woods rotary (I think it says Dixie Cutter on the side). The trail wheel doesn't swivel. Is it "frozen" by lack of use/grease, or is it not designed to swivel? I have never seen a rotary cutter with a trail wheel that doesn't swivel, so I would assume this one is designed to as well. Also, there is a zert (sp?) on the column of the wheel, which is another indication it is designed to swivel, but I haven't been able to get it to swivel at all. Anyone have one of these or offer any suggestions?

Farmwithjunk · Sep 24, 2007

Yes, it should pivot. It is a Dixie Cutter (Woods) That should read zerK. There way be a roll pin or a cotter pin at the top of the tailwheel shaft. Remove it, place therear of the mower on something solid, soak the shaft with penetrating oil for an adaquate time, them drive down on that shaft with a heavy hammer (not so much as to mushroom the shaft. cushion the top of the shaft w/ a piece of wood?) That may break it loose. Remove the tailwheel, clean up everything, replace zerk, re-assemble and mow!

RussMan · Sep 24, 2007

Thanks for the info. You are correct in that there is a cotter pin on top. I removed that last night and tried to hammer down the shaft as you suggested after spraying some lubricant, but without success. Perhaps my hammer wasn't big enough.

I'll keep hammering (being careful not to mushroom it). I can't imagine why it is so solid/frozen, but it makes for difficult turning when the wheel doesn't swivel.

PSDStu · Sep 25, 2007

Along with what you have already tried and what FWJ stated, you may want to try and get a big cheater bar, or pry bar and try removing the tail wheel and wedging a pry bar in the yoke and see if you can get it to start rotating, then try agin with a hammer and wood block on top of the yoke shaft.

May want to also think about using a torch and heating the area up as well.

Good Luck!