Looking for some advice and tips from individuals that have replaced the rotor/drum bearings. I read thru several threads and posts on the subject. Looking for a little more detail. I bought a really nice used JD 25A (2013 model year) several years ago and have only used it a couple of time. Unit has always been stored inside by original owner and me. I've only used it a couple of times. Now, I have 5 miles of trails and a couple of fields to mow. I've always cleaned the shafts around the roller and the rotor next to the bearings. However, my rotor drive side bearing failed 2 days ago while I was mowing my back field. Drive belt side of mower started smoking and I immediately shut the unit down. Pulled the cover and found that the shielding on the drive side bearing has melted and has what appears to be bailing twine wrapped around the bearing shaft. I can see the bearing balls so time to replace the bearing. I just bought two new bearings and collars from JD. How big a job is this? I’m going to replace both sealed bearings. Realizing that the rotor/drum has to be supported. Can I do one side at time or do I have to loosen both ends to replace each bearing? Once you remove the pulley and collar, it looks like you loosen the inner bearing support and then the larger support plate. Again, any tips or tricks would be appreciated. Thanks in advance - Ted
Buy the physical book from Deere for the 25A flail mower SKU PC0938 $13.55.
Go to staples and buy a 1 inch 3 ring binder and enough sheet protectors to protect
the copies of the sheets of the flail mower book.
Have Staples make copies of each sheet of the book.
You need to remove the bearing locks to remove the rotor to clean both rotor end stubs to do it properly.
There is no short way to do this as both bearings should be replaced.
Make sure you have a large high quality tarp on the ground before you even move the mower to block it up as you will
need to use a magnet if you drop any set screws to find them.
You need to purchase blue some loctite and print out a copy of the bolt torque values do you can torque them correctly.
You need to rent an engine hoist for a day or two to do this with much less trouble as you need to move the flail mower rotor away from the
Flail mower shroud to set it on hard wood blocks or sturdy sawhorses as it is very heavy.
1. drain the oil out of the gearbox
2. remove the bearing guard over the open bearing
3. remove the V belt guard and V belts and get new ones as long as your doing bearing surgery as you do need them.
4. flip it on its back and go to work labeling every part and taking pictures as you work
Your going to need Dawn Dish Soap and warm water in a 5 gallon pail and lots of rags to help get rid of the dirt and grease
and good hand cleaner and alcohol to clean the side weldments of the flail mower and the bearing mounting flanges.
Remove as much of the grease and dirt with wet blue shop towels soaked in soapy water first and then use a small putty knife
to scrape away any stubborn baked on dirt and grease before you remove the bearing flange plates.
The bearing seals MUST BE correctly installed with the open side of the bearing facing outward otherwise the grease will not enter the bearings.
