05-0621 (Modified) 36" RD Test Run

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

(Safety switch temporally bypassed, no children nor animals were injured during the filming of this video)

I rebuilt this 05-0621 36" Rear Discharge Deck and Test Run this afternoon.

I was reading that the RD were loud, this is fairly loud, about right? I have never run a rear discharge

 

 

 

 

Edited April 7, 2022 by "Manic-Mechanic"

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,313]

Sounds like the spindle bearings are done. What did the rebuild consist of? 

[Moparfanforever 844]

I have a 42" RD deck and it is as quiet as a church mouse. 

 

What did you modify??

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

1 hour ago, Sparky said:

Sounds like the spindle bearings are done. What did the rebuild consist of? 

I dismantled the spindle assemblies, inspected the bearings, seemed good & tight. Then re-packed them with high quality heat resistant grease.

I don't care for the sound, like a reverberation. You think it could also maybe be the blades off balance? I did my best to make sure they were level on 3/4" bar stock. Well, perhaps dismantle again and put in new bearings.

Edited March 17, 2022 by "Manic-Mechanic"

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

51 minutes ago, Moparfanforever said:

I have a 42" RD deck and it is as quiet as a church mouse. 

 

What did you modify??

I used 3/4" x 6" greaseable spindles and then used the two piece belt covers. 

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

I just ordered a blade balancer just to be sure. Perhaps my method wasn't good enough? Usually with older decks I replace the blades. However, since these spindles were changed thinking maybe a set 107438 14-1/8 x 1, 107437 12-1/8 x 2? (91-813/91-814) 36" Stens 350-132 350-140 Lawnmower Blade Set

Edited March 17, 2022 by "Manic-Mechanic"

[RED-Z06 2,220]

Man that sounds really bad.  You should be able to spin each blade independently and hear - nothing -

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

6 hours ago, RED-Z06 said:

Man that sounds really bad.  You should be able to spin each blade independently and hear - nothing -

I will be pulling the blades off this morning. The bearings were tight and quiet before I installed the blades. Glad I posted the video and have been getting feedback, greatly appreciated.

[Handy Don 12,174]

I'd start with the balancing before pulling a lot of stuff apart. I would start by slipping the belt and making sure the pulley's are not bent and that all the bolts are snugged evenly. The thing I've noticed about decks is that they resonate so it doesn't take a lot of vibration somewhere to make 'em loud!

[Moparfanforever 844]

Is the idler pulley bearing in good shape??

[oldlineman 1,481]

I have a 42" RD that is close to 40 years that doesn't sound close to that. Something not right there. Spin everything separately and how is the belt. Also check your mule drive bearings for noise or wear. Bob 

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

 

2 hours ago, Handy Don said:

I'd start with the balancing before pulling a lot of stuff apart. I would start by slipping the belt and making sure the pulley's are not bent and that all the bolts are snugged evenly. The thing I've noticed about decks is that they resonate so it doesn't take a lot of vibration somewhere to make 'em loud!

I had done that before complete re-assembly. One top bearing, far left, was questionable. I figured, well if I take it all apart then might as well replace them all. After removing them from the housings I did notice they were sluggish.

 

I did balance the blades prior and checked them again this morning, however, there may be some controversy over this method! 

 

The center is slightly off so some more material would need removed, but this "old school method" is iffy, waiting on a proper balancer. I have new blades on route and will balance the old ones later on. 

 

The bottom bearings are slightly recessed or concaved as well. (A)

 

 

                                                                                                                      (B)

 

                                                                                                          (C)

 

I did remove the grease as another precaution.

 

Stens comes through again, Made In USA! 

 

Now remove some of the plastic seals to allow grease in. 

 

I was just trying to finish this as surgery on my left foot is tomorrow and hobbling around the shop afterwards isn't smart at all! 

Edited March 17, 2022 by "Manic-Mechanic"
Organize

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

2 hours ago, Moparfanforever said:

Is the idler pulley bearing in good shape??

You know I just pushed back the idler and it was not as quiet as I'd like but spun freely. However, might be the shell adding to that noise? Perhaps a replacement would be prudent...

[oldlineman 1,481]

I believe that is an acceptable way to balance your blades. Bob 

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

Well, I knocked out the old and pressed in the new, making sure to remove the appropriate seals off the sides of the bearings.

(Tightened down the spindle bolts tight and evenly.)

I greased the spindles 25 pumps, then heard the slight "pop" and stopped! I rolled them around a good bit and put the belt back on.

The spindles went together nicely whenever I dry assembled to make the pulleys didn't rub or any other "surprise?" 

I stopped at that point, ran out of free time. Excited about getting it back on the tractor! Lol

[RED-Z06 2,220]

That's alot of pumps...hope the pop wasnt the outer seals blowing off...that lets dirt and chaff right in.

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

1 hour ago, RED-Z06 said:

That's alot of pumps...hope the pop wasnt the outer seals blowing off...that lets dirt and chaff right in.

Yes, that wouldn't be good!  I did check as it bothered me since you mentioned it! Just for grins and giggles, what is the amount of pumps on those spindles dry?

Edited March 18, 2022 by "Manic-Mechanic"

[RED-Z06 2,220]

I dont personally advise pumping up typical ball bearings, i rebuild with double sealed bearings and advise not putting grease in them beyond what you may add on assembly.  I give my old unrebuilt 1993 spindles 5 pumps annually..no more.  When they fail, ill put in double sealed and put some grease in at assembly incase an inner seal fails.

 

The only spindle styles that truly benefit from grease have an actual grease seal, the bearing lip seals cant hold any pressure behind them.

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

8 minutes ago, RED-Z06 said:

I dont personally advise pumping up typical ball bearings, i rebuild with double sealed bearings and advise not putting grease in them beyond what you may add on assembly.  I give my old unrebuilt 1993 spindles 5 pumps annually..no more.  When they fail, ill put in double sealed and put some grease in at assembly incase an inner seal fails.

 

The only spindle styles that truly benefit from grease have an actual grease seal, the bearing lip seals cant hold any pressure behind them.

Right, these have grease seals. (see item 17 part 106705) So, you get away with 5 pumps a year? That's pretty good! Same assembly, 3/4" x 6" keyed spindles with top oil seals?

Edited March 18, 2022 by "Manic-Mechanic"

[RED-Z06 2,220]

2 minutes ago, "Manic-Mechanic" said:

Right, these have grease seals. So, you get away with 5 pumps a year? That's pretty good! Same assembly, 3/4" x 6" keyed spindles with top oil seals?

Show me your grease seals?  All im seeing is the pop in seals that come with the sealed ball bearings.

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

1 minute ago, RED-Z06 said:

Show me your grease seals?  All im seeing is the pop in seals that come with the sealed ball bearings.

(Top oil seals only) see diagram.

[RED-Z06 2,220]

This is, for example, a scag spindle kit, it uses tapered bearings and lip seals top and bottom.

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

3 minutes ago, RED-Z06 said:

This is, for example, a scag spindle kit, it uses tapered bearings and lip seals top and bottom.

Right, I know what oil seals are. Lol! Strange they only used one on top on mine, did you look at the diagram? All I know is this deck better be a hell of a lot more quiet next test!

Edited March 18, 2022 by "Manic-Mechanic"

[RED-Z06 2,220]

2 minutes ago, "Manic-Mechanic" said:

Right, I know what oil seals are. Lol! Strange they only used one on top on mine....

Without a lower seal, pumping grease in is probably only going to pop the lower cover out.

["Manic-Mechanic" 1,194]

15 minutes ago, RED-Z06 said:

Without a lower seal, pumping grease in is probably only going to pop the lower cover out.

I actually did crank a pile into the old assemblies until the grease came out the spindles, must of been a fluke, nothing popped out on the bearings! Just wasted some pretty expensive grease, especially after taking them all apart again to change the bearings. I knew better to try and take a short cut. This is a part time machine at best to gather up grass clippings in a sweeper, I mow with a Gravely ZTXL Zero Turn.

Edited March 18, 2022 by "Manic-Mechanic"