MMM is missing a swath

[Tdog]

Seems like I saw this in another recent post, but can't find it.

My 60” MMM is giving me a bit of a problem. It leaves a mostly uncut swath right in the middle. I know the blade is spinning - - at least, I can see the spindle spinning.

When the tractor is not running, if I move the left or right blade by hand, all three blades spin. However, if I move the middle blade, neither of the other two blades moves. Should that be?

I did check to be sure the middle blade is not on upside down.

Any thoughts?

Jack

 

[chrisjbell]

The middle blade is probably loose. Make sure the bolt that holds it on is nice and tight, for starters. I don't know how your blades are hooked to the drive, but on some mowers there is a spider gear (I've also heard it called a lovejoy) that turns the blades. It is basically a piece of rubber between two gears that is designed to let go if you hit something hard so that you don't damage the drive motor. That is a bit harder to track down - it would be under the deck covers.

 

[rdsaustintx]

I think middle blade runs directly on the gear box shaft (nothing to do with the belt).

If grass is REAL long, my middle scalp roller sometimes pushes it down, have to make another pass in opposite direction.

RDnT

 

[mozark]

Not sure if this is the same deck as yours, but looking at the parts breakdown for a RCK60B-22BX deck, I have to agree with rdsaustintx and chrisjbell - since the center blade is bolted directly to gearbox shaft, the center blade is probably loose.

 

[Volfandt]

To add to what's already been posted. When you spin the middle blade does the gearbox also rotate?
It should.
If not then either the blade is very loose or something is wrong with the middle spindle assembly. I don't have a breakdown in front of me but the spindle may have a key thats broken or something similar.
If it's not a loose blade then I'd recommend to remove the middle blade and protective cup and see whats going on with the spindle assembly.

 

[Tdog]

Thanks for all the replies - - guess the 1st & easiest thing to check is that the blade is on there tightly.

Jack

 

[Tdog]

Thanx to all - - finally had tiime to take the mower deck off today, & yep, it was a loose blade. I hate operator error when I'm the one who put the gator blades on in the 1st place!
Unless we get a little more rain, it will be a few days before I get to test it, but I'm positive that the bolt was not tight enough.

Jack