Mowing Moments with the Mower

[NJBill]

I ran hard into a banked area while turning, with the mower set on float.
Uh uh Correct ! Just pushed the right front caster tire off the rim.
Up until this week, I did mower aservice with a chain hooked under the front wheels, and lifted with the Q A Plate.
NO MORE, I like the new way much better. So - it's a couple of extra manual steps ! For safety, and convenience I think it's worth the effort.
During this thinking process, other mower 'mentions' came to mind, which pop up periodically on the forum.
Forgive me if I am repeatying something you have already read, or figured out for yourself./
Think of the ramblings of some old guy you met along the way.

For now, park your mower against a solid object, ( I used a building ) then disconnect the QA.

I'll be Back

 

[NJBill]

That's good, now the mower can't get away from you
Remove the two rear stop bolts for the yoke.
I marked them "A"

 

[NJBill]

Now push the yoke forward. The QA swivel point will make contact with the hoses of the blade motor.
Now. Re-install the two bolts "A" but this time also pass them through the hole "B" in the stop plate. Tighten if you wish but is not necessary.

 

[NJBill]

Now you can pick up the mower, set it at your selected height, and get on with the service

Howzat ??

 

[pajoube]

WOW, you certainly have good safety work area under the deck.
I have to admit that I just bring the deck up to full height and tilt and work (clean) in this manner.
I do like your idea.
PJ

 

[Clarke]

Cool!! I like it

sg

 

[NJBill]

Me again.
I wondered why we had extra threads extending from the caster wheels. After searching my favorite local surplus yard, I found that 6 1/2 inch bolts were the shortest you can find to get a solid (not threaded) shaft for the bearingless wheels to ride on.
One good thing, if you make sure you put the threads inwards, you could always fasten them together to have straight ahead wheels ????

 

[NJBill]

While we're on that particular subject. If you loosen the nut and allow the wheel carrier to open up you will find about 3/16 inch gap.

 

[NJBill]

Now - Retighten the nut enough to allow the wheel to turn, and you will find that the wheel is being held by only a fraction of the bearing surface. I have already bought the necessary shims to make a better fit.

 

[NJBill]

Before I developed the easier access move I was going to face all the grease fittings the same direction. If you look at the mounting plates, it's a simple 180 degree turn of the 51/4 by 6 inch plates.
I'm guessing all the PT's are assembled alike, no thinking.

 

[NJBill]

We have had quite a number of questions regarding the layout of the blades. As you can see they will never touch each other, and to set any pattern with belt driven blades is a waste of time, so I think we can put those questions to rest.
Just buy the same length blades for replacement.

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> I'm guessing all the PT's are assembled alike, no thinking. </font>

Mine must have been built on a sober day, because all the zerks are in the same direction...

My wife's grandpa use to work at Studebaker and told us never to buy a car that was made on Monday because everyone was hung over and never buy a car the was made on Friday because everyone wanted to get out of work early. Tuesday and Thursday were the best days and he never did say what was up with Wednesday. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[NJBill]

Thanks MR
I was hoping that thinking went into the process at least sometimes. It is nice to have them all in same direction we humans can't always remember oddball situations.

Having been in the trade, that was always a standard remark about the days to avoid buying vehicles. We did have one upscale customer who evidentaly had an untruthful salesman at one time. He learned how to read the code plate inside the left front engine compartment, and actually brought a car back for exchange for the reason you mentioned . He had money enough to take a loss if necessary.
Bill

 

[NJBill]

Another Moment which I would like to change. unfortunately I am not equipped for working metal other than with my trusty reciprocating saw.
Looking at the mower from a distance as it hangs like the second picture. It is nothing more than a flat piece of steel, with three blades covering a swath of about 46 inches. Two short sides are visible probably to stop any twisting of the deck. In use gras goes in the front, long, and out the back slightly deflected down as cut grass. It is about the closest thing to being called a mechanical scythe.
Questions arise, such as if the sides and back were taken down to required grass height, couldn't this be changed from a rear discharge mower, to a deck top discharge. I'm showing there is about 12 inches to provide an opening.
I know, there'll be all kinds of hoses, and tow behind gadgets, and other headaches. It would be nice for leaf time though.
Just dreaming, and meandereing, don't get too excited about thesee foolish ideas of mine.
By the way thank you all for bearing with me during these MOMENTS.
Have a great "after the fourth week".
Bill

 

[J_J]

Why not just add a chute to the deck that will redirect the clippings and leaves in to a hose, and them back to a container. You would also need some high lift blades. I have a vacuum assembly on the back of my Dixie Chopper Zero turn mower. Even without the chute, the clippings and leaves come out at a high rate. The vacuum unit will fill it up in about 15 min.