Please give me your help on rehabilitating...

[lspencer534]

a Bush Hog brand 72" wide finish mower. It'a about 20-years-old; I took it out of use about 5 years ago (I bought it new) because my 6' wide pasture mower was faster. However, the pasture mower doesn't discharge the grass clippings like a finish mower: The pasture mower leaves a noticeable line of clippings on the ground on the left side of the mower, which means I have to collect them to have a clean-cut yard.

The finish mower has been stored under cover but not inside. I was surprised that it still rolled after all this time. I used a pressure washer to clean it up and greased both universal joints, the wheels, and height adjustment shafts. I looked inside the gearbox, and it was at the correct level for oil; at least the seal didn't leak.

The shaft that connects to the tractor PTO won't go in far enough; everything is clear, clean, and freshly greased, so maybe I'll figure this out. The thing that bothers me are the blade "shafts" (the things that have the pulleys that turn the blades). The shafts turn without noise, and I see no way to oil nor grease the shafts; it seems that they are sealed. Any thoughts?

Finally, I'll but on a new belt tomorrow, although I'm not looking forward to it. I took some pics, but my computer hid them again; they'll turn up... somewhere.

[JRD77VET]

PTO shaft.
Check to see if the grease hardened up or if the inside is full of grease.

The blade bearing assemblies may be sealed units that must be disassembled to grease. Are you sure there isn't a zerk fitting somewhere?

This what you have?
https://www.bushhog.com/catalog/zero...ishing-mowers/

[lspencer534]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

PTO shaft.
Check to see if the grease hardened up or if the inside is full of grease.

The blade bearing assemblies may be sealed units that must be disassembled to grease. Are you sure there isn't a zerk fitting somewhere?

This what you have?
https://www.bushhog.com/catalog/zero...ishing-mowers/

That's a newer version of mine, but essential the same. I can find no zerk fitting anywhere.

[JRD77VET]

Have a manual?

Is this the correct model
http://www.bushhog.com/uploads/documents/BHRDTH72OM.pdf

[Bill]

Am I correct in understanding that your two piece pto shaft is 'frozen?' If so, can you hook up the pto shaft to the tractor without attaching the lift arms, put tractor in low 1, then pull forward slightly to see if you can pull the pto shaft free? Do it easy, and if you can pull the inner shaft out of the outer shaft a bit, you can then oil up the inner shaft and work it in and out to restore its ability to slip.

[lspencer534]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

Am I correct in understanding that your two piece pto shaft is 'frozen?' If so, can you hook up the pto shaft to the tractor without attaching the lift arms, put tractor in low 1, then pull forward slightly to see if you can pull the pto shaft free? Do it easy, and if you can pull the inner shaft out of the outer shaft a bit, you can then oil up the inner shaft and work it in and out to restore its ability to slip.

The two-piece shaft isn't frozen; the outer shaft won't slide all the way onto the inner shaft.

[lspencer534]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

Have a manual?

Is this the correct model
http://www.bushhog.com/uploads/documents/BHRDTH72OM.pdf

Mine is a Model FTH 720.

[lspencer534]

Here is a pic of the spindle assembly according to the owner's manual:

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/23...?page=9#manual

Notice that Item 5 is a grease fitting. How one gets to it is a mystery to me; I assume it must be removed from the mower and dis-assembled.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by lspencer534

The two-piece shaft isn't frozen; the outer shaft won't slide all the way onto the inner shaft.

OK, so it's either bent, or it's rusted/impacted with old grease, etc. Same process. Copious amounts of oil on the inner shaft piece. Hook up the PTO but don't connect the lift arms. Gently put the tractor in reverse. Don't force it. If you end up with the shaft stuck in the same place and you're just pushing the mower back, then it's bent. Take it to a drive shaft business and have is straightened or have it replaced.

The inner shaft should be easily able to slide in an out of the outer shaft. If you can't do that using the tractor to push it in, it's bent.

[JRD77VET]

Originally Posted by lspencer534

Mine is a Model FTH 720.

http://www.bushhog.com/uploads/docum...wrfthPM-04.pdf

[markids77]

To grease those spindles remove the protective cover over the belt. Look dead center in the top of each blade pulley and you will find the grease zerks there.

[lspencer534]

[QUOTE=markids77;1667341]To grease those spindles remove the protective cover over the belt. Look dead center in the top of each blade pulley and you will find the grease zerks there.[/QUOTE

I found that out today. I greased all 3 of them until they would no longer accept grease. As quiet as they sound, they must still be in good shape.

[boracayjohnny]

Colonel Potter MASH - YouTube