I don't know if they put a different tach/speedo in the models with the dual range transmission or not, it's just a possibility. Regardless, I physically measured pto rpm so I know where the tach needs to be to hit 540..
It makes a big difference. What I first measured pto rpm I had left the tractor in high range from driving home, it looked like I had been over-spinning the crap out of the mower... lol I forget the number, would have been like 800-900 pto rpm at rated engine speed.
I then realized the range must change it and dropped it to low range to measure again, which of course told me it was off from where it was supposed to be, but now I know where the motor needs to be to get 540...
Yes, they got back to me, but right as I was discovering the scraper could be mounted closer to the roller, so he just figured that would fix it. It made it better....but still seems like I'm ripping grass as much as mulching it and the ends of the roller still load up. No idea if I could return it, don't have the pallet or crate to ship it back to Oregon and would probably cost me $300-400 to ship anyway... Haven't considered sharpening them as I've only mowed with it for about 5 hours...I've spent enough time this week messing around with it that I could have gotten half a dozen other things done instead...
Interesting picture there as the D ring mount might allow the two blades to "hydrofoil" out (spread apart from each other) as leonz said. Mine are rigidly mounted, which makes little sense to me as you have the wide 3/8" or so flat where the upper parts are together that just rips at the grass. Even if the blades were sharpened all the way up that wouldn't really become a cutting edge with them pressed together. I'd rather see something like one of these with all edges sharpened...
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I've wondered about just spreading mine apart with the spacers that are already on the bolts, but would have to check overlap of the blades first. I also think the standard side slicers would cut more efficiently if the bottoms were ground instead of the tops. If you picture the angle of attack of the blade swinging up and forward into the grass grinding the bottom instead would lead the cutting edge into the material a little more square to it...
For now I'm probably done messing with it for a while. Tried again today with no better luck, and when I got back to add insult to injury I had a very small coolant drip from the radiator...
I don't see it as practical to try and return it, and I can't use it as is, so just have to chalk it up to having made a bad decision. Still might stick the flail on the neighbor's tractor just to test how much of the issue is my tractor, but that depends on him finding time. Might pick up a carb rebuild kit this weekend too, but not sure when I would get to it...
