Poor quality mow

[JimSraj 429]

Earlier this year I bought a 1991, original owner, 312-8 with a 42” deck. Except for leaking axle seal the tractor and deck seem to be I good condition. The only problem I’m having is the cut quality of the deck. I mow in 2nd gear at full throttle. The cut is leaving strips of poorly cut grass between the blades. I’ve tried using 1st gear and the cut improves some but not much. I know the blades are after market but they measure(diagonally) at 13-13/16” which I think is darn close to what OEM blades were. Oh yeah, it’s a side discharge. 
Anyone have suggestions?

Thanks in advance. 

Edited August 26 by JimSraj

[ri702bill 8,311]

IF the blades are too short (or way too rounded from resharpening), the actual blade length is no longer sufficient to give an overlapping cut. Blades cut at the TIPs.. If the replacement blades are a tad shorter than OEM, this happens faster.....

[kpinnc 11,986]

I would start with what I call an OSI, or obvious um, "stuff" inspection.  Some of these are simple, but this stuff happens often. 

 

1. Are the two gage wheels the same size (and in good shape), or is the bar they ride on straight? My first wheel horse was silly cheap because (mainly) the PO couldn't get it to mow evenly. He made replacement wheels out of plywood and they were not the same. I've also seen well-worn gage wheels that were 3/4 of an inch different in diameter. Those wheels are 100% responsible for keeping the deck level. 

 

2. Make sure you don't have a bent blade. Remove all three and lay them on a perfectly flat surface. Any rocking or gaps will tell you if they are bent. 

 

3. Is the deck body straight? The 42 side discharge is a solid item, but the area around the spindles can be warped with a solid strike to a root or rock. 

 

4. Check your tire pressure, and adjust accordingly. Even though the deck floats independently, if the tractor leans one way or the other enough it can push the deck into an odd track. 

 

 

Edited August 26 by kpinnc

[Ed Kennell 38,114]

I had to go check.    All three sets of new blades on the shelf measure 13 13/16   corner to corner.

[Brockport Bill 1,661]

excellent tips on above comments - - here are few more -- many factors contribute to good or poor cut?

 

do you keep the shell housing clean? Do you regularly pressure wash it underneath and/or clean with putty knife? Do you spray the underneath with oil or some similar product to prevent grass build up?

 

do you balance the blades and clean the blades when you sharpen them such as with wire wheel to clean hardened grass sap? 

 

do you mow wet or damp grass?

 

how often are you mowing and how tall is grass?

 

Have you removed belt and hand spun the blade/spindles to be sure they turn freely and do you keep your spindles and bearings properly maintained, lubricated and replaced as needed?

 

Are your belts loose and maintain proper tension - Is your deck tension bar and spring properly adjusted to ensure proper belt and blade action?

 

Is the mule tension properly adjusted with One inch belt deflection? Are the mule bearings ok or need replacement causing poor rotation?

 

these are just some quick ideas but there are likely more possibilities others will offer?

 

[Ed Kennell 38,114]

Blades right side up?

[Lane Ranger 10,968]

You also need to sometimes inspect the top parts of the deck where the pulleys, idler pulley bar and idler spring are located.  Where is this area can sometimes cause erratic cuts below.  Bearings in idler, worn nylon guides, wallowed out idler bar holes.  
 

Worth a good inspection at end or beginning of every cutting season.

 

 

Edited August 26 by Lane Ranger

[JimSraj 429]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I do keep the underside clean by scraping with a plastic putty knife and coating with a light oil. I have wire wheel cleaned and sharpened the blades, and checked the balance. No mowing wet grass here. The problem is more noticeable when the grass is high but still visible in lower grass too. Yup, blades are right side up. I gotta check the top of the deck. Belts, idler and tension bar. Hope that the solution is there. 
Thanks again guys. 

[peter lena 8,604]

@Lane Ranger  agree with you on the deck detailing , been at that for years ,  all my  transitions  have come from , REPEDITIVE  ISSUES , thats just a regular thing for me , basically find out what works , change it , BTW , made up some 5 /16  steel rod  S HOOKS  about  6-8" long , hook that into a firm extension spring , screw in eye bolt to wall , makes end of season  hold up easy , hook it into deck lift frame , chock up wheels , deck facing out to you , lets you verify what that oil soaking is doing . like a small fine file for blade touch up  ,  break the grunge cycle , pete   

[Brockport Bill 1,661]

2 hours ago, peter lena said:

@Lane Ranger  agree with you on the deck detailing , been at that for years ,  all my  transitions  have come from , REPEDITIVE  ISSUES , thats just a regular thing for me , basically find out what works , change it , BTW , made up some 5 /16  steel rod  S HOOKS  about  6-8" long , hook that into a firm extension spring , screw in eye bolt to wall , makes end of season  hold up easy , hook it into deck lift frame , chock up wheels , deck facing out to you , lets you verify what that oil soaking is doing . like a small fine file for blade touch up  ,  break the grunge cycle , pete   

Pete always has terrific ideas and suggestions

[pfrederi 17,700]

Nice picture who picked up the RD hanging up high.  Don't want to get in an argument with that guy.  My old shoulders aren't going to tolerate that kind of lifting..

[Brockport Bill 1,661]

51 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

Nice picture who picked up the RD hanging up high.  Don't want to get in an argument with that guy.  My old shoulders aren't going to tolerate that kind of lifting..

i have stubbornly adjusted to being much more careful and cautious in my senior years of how i move and lift items -- when we all grow up in active or athletic early years its hard to accept father time -- but i have had to realize they are just so many cortisone shots i can reasonably get - - haha --------- in the case of that mower on the wall i smartly asked my wife for help as was the case the other day with another lifted item -- so just having to learn to be humble - - of course she like may partners are usually very supportive but that doesn't mean we all don't get occasional frowns

[Ed Kennell 38,114]

1 hour ago, Brockport Bill said:

-- in the case of that mower on the wall i smartly asked my wife for help as was the case the other day with another lifted item 

 

Lucky you that has a wife that can lift heavy items while you tie them to the wall.     

Edited August 28 by Ed Kennell

[pfrederi 17,700]

[JimSraj 429]

So I took the deck off today and had a good look at the top side. The idler bar shows some wear at the slide points although the nylons are in decent shape. It can be rocked side to side a little. All of the spindles spin freely and are quiet. I decided to replace the deck belt and the PTO belt. I’m kind of embarrassed to say, Big improvement in cut. Still leaving slightly higher grass between the center and the blade on the discharge side blade. Next timeI sharpen the blades I’ll check to see if one is bent. 
As I was cleaning the underside I wondered if the shape of the spindle housings and the cast aluminum body is to help cool the bearings. They sure catch and hold a lot of clippings.