Blade lower on one side

[Chi3fHunt3r]

I have a bx2680 with a 5 foot deck. Recently, the blade on the side with the grass chute is about half an inch lower than the other two. It's cutting level with the bottom of the deck while the others are up inside the deck. The spindle housing and spindle are new and everything is tightened. Even when I try different blades, I still have the same result. What could cause this? Thanks.

 

[Bee-Positive]

Are you sure the cup washers are on the correct side of the blade? Check for debris under the Dust Cover (1).

 

[jimh406]

Most decks have an adjustment. I'd go look at the owner's manual again.

 

[Bee-Positive]

Most decks have an adjustment. I'd go look at the owner's manual again.

The deck is adjustable side to side and front to back, but the blades should all be the same distance relative to the bottom edge of the deck. If one blade is lower than the other two it's either installed wrong or the spindle is not installed right. OP says the spindle housing and spindle are new. I'd start there.

 

[skeets]

If everything lines up, check your tire pressure, yes it will do what you are saying

 

[chim]

ASSUMING the description is accurate (Blade is lower, not that side of the deck is lower). Are both ends of that blade the same distance from the ground? Visualizing that the blade hit something and bent one side down.

Less likely is something could have come loose on the top side? Nut loose? If that's the case I'd expect the pulley to be dragging on the deck, making noise. Possibly the belt wouldn't be very happy either.

Has to be something simple. Please let us know.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Why do you have a new spindle and housing? Did this start when they were installed?

Dan

 

[TheOldHokie]

Why do you have a new spindle and housing? Did this start when they were installed?

Dan

I think Sawdust and Shavings is reading my mind

 

[Chi3fHunt3r]

Everything was tight when I took it back apart to check it so nothing came loose. I had the blade problem before I changed everything. I got a new spindle and housing cause there was wobble in the pulley so I thought that they bearings were shot in the housing and that I had slightly bent the spindle. I do a lot of mowing so I didn't have time to wait for the dealer to replace the bearings in the original housing. Everything was put on correctly. No debris, dirt, etc is blocking the dust cover from seating properly. I've tried a few different blades and all of them will be at the bottom of the deck while the other two are about a 1/3 of an inch or so above the bottom of the deck.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Everything was tight when I took it back apart to check it so nothing came loose. I had the blade problem before I changed everything. I got a new spindle and housing cause there was wobble in the pulley so I thought that they bearings were shot in the housing and that I had slightly bent the spindle. I do a lot of mowing so I didn't have time to wait for the dealer to replace the bearings in the original housing. Everything was put on correctly. No debris, dirt, etc is blocking the dust cover from seating properly. I've tried a few different blades and all of them will be at the bottom of the deck while the other two are about a 1/3 of an inch or so above the bottom of the deck.

This aint rocket science.Turn the deck over and lay a straight edge across it sides to side. Rotate each blade until its parallel with the straight edge. Measure distance of inner and outer tips from the straight edge. Are all blades level with the straight edge? Are all blades at same height?

Dan

 

[GreensvilleJay]

hmm, new spindle installed on wrong side of the deck or wrong spindle ??

 

[TheOldHokie]

hmm, new spindle installed on wrong side of the deck or wrong spindle ??

Bent deck.

 

[Sidekick]

Bent deck.

That's what I was thinking. It takes a very hard hit to bend a spindle on that mid mount mower.

 

[TheOldHokie]

That's what I was thinking. It takes a very hard hit to bend a spindle on that mid mount mower.

Spindle is new so I think its safe to assume its straight.

Ths outside tip is running low, what about the inside? That spindle (actually all of them) needs to be trammed into the deck. If its still low after that then shim it up to match the others.

Dan

AI Overview

Tramming a milling machine involves aligning the spindle of the mill perpendicular to the worktable in both the X and Y axes. This ensures that when you machine a part, the cuts are accurate and consistent, avoiding errors due to misalignment.

 

[Sidekick]

But the one that bent had to take a good hit that would be capable of bending the thin stamped deck especially if it was something like a rock on the blade tip. Easy to check with the new spindle. Mine bolt directly to the deck with no way to tram.

 

[TheOldHokie]

But the one that bent had to take a good hit that would be capable of bending the thin stamped deck especially if it was something like a rock on the blade tip. Easy to check with the new spindle. Mine bolt directly to the deck with no way to tram.

Shims my friend, shims.

Dan

 

[GreensvilleJay]

no shims, need to see PICTURES, please.

 

[TheOldHokie]

no shims, need to see PICTURES, please.

I have fixed more than one bent deck flange with a 2x4 for a straight edge, BFH, and a handful of ring shims. What do you propose to do with pictures?