Shear bolt or pin on FM

[jebster54]

I have a 5' FM that has a blade that is not turning with the other two, but I can spin it freely with my hand. I bought it used and just noticed that the blade did not cut on one side! Where do I get the shear bolt and is that the fix?

 

[whistlepig]

I have a 5' FM that has a blade that is not turning with the other two, but I can spin it freely with my hand. I bought it used and just noticed that the blade did not cut on one side! Where do I get the shear bolt and is that the fix?

Depends on the mower. Is this a rear finishing mower or a mid-mount mower? Most mowers these days don't have shear pins on the blade. Do you know the brand of mower it is?

 

[jebster54]

It is a rear FM and is made by Costal Machinery. Belt driven, 3 blades with rear chains where the grass exits.
If they don't make shear bolts what would let it spin freely?

 

[whistlepig]

I think Coastal Machinery is the dealer and not the manufacturer. How are your blades mounted to the spindle? Is there just one bolt through the center of the blade?

 

[jebster54]

I think Coastal Machinery is the dealer and not the manufacturer. How are your blades mounted to the spindle? Is there just one bolt through the center of the blade?

Thanks, you're right, not sure what kind it is but their is only one bolt holding it to the spindle.

 

[whistlepig]

Most blades these days don't have a shear pin in them. Your blade mounting bolt is either loose or stripped.

 

[jebster54]

Most blades these days don't have a shear pin in them. Your blade mounting bolt is either loose or stripped.

This FM looks like an older model. So if it is stripped will I need to replace the spindle and bolt to fix it? It appears to be on tightly.

 

[whistlepig]

This FM looks like an older model. So if it is stripped will I need to replace the spindle and bolt to fix it? It appears to be on tightly.

Try to tighten it. The bolt may have been loose for a while and the bolt has frozen with the blade not seated. I would not try to repair a spindle if it was bad. They are not all that expensive compared to the grief a bad spindle can cause during the mowing season.

 

[Johnagain]

It is possible that you have a broken belt going from the center blade to the outside blade. Some mowers use 2 belts to drive all the blades and some only use 1 very long belt that goes around all the pulleys.

 

[whistlepig]

Just about all RFM mowers made now have a single Kevlar belt.