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New Mower Blades Issue

BeeramidBeeramid Member Posts: 7,264 ✭✭✭
in General Discussion

I wanted to put a new set of blades on my Gravely mini ZT1540 this year, sounds easy enough. One blade was touching a baffle on one side, but not the other. It touched worse when I pulled on the blade, it seemed like a bearing might be going out, so I put a new spindle assembly on, but the blade touched after getting everything put on.

The new assembly is a stens, and isn't exactly like the one I removed, but the bolt holes lined up, and its level across the top.

I ended up loosening the blade, pulling it the opposite direction and torquing it back down. Now have enough clearance to spin and not touch. I'm just not sure what to think.


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Comments

  • spasmcreeksrunspasmcreeksrun Member Posts: 1,755 ✭✭✭
    blade hole bigger than spindle diameter.....my mowers tighten up with no slide ????
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  • BeeramidBeeramid Member Posts: 7,264 ✭✭✭

    The bolt threads into the spindle and seems tight, I loosened it up again, and pried it the opposite direction a little harder, torqued it back down and now clearance is almost even. I know there usually isn't any wiggle in the bolts, maybe I run to the hardware store and get new ones?

    I tried one of the other blade bolts and same issues.

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  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,529 ✭✭✭✭
    I would get another set of blades or take the one that is close and move it to the middle and try the others . If you grind a little off make sure both ends are the same. Unbalance will cause the spindle to wear quick .
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  • AlpineAlpine Member Posts: 15,092 ✭✭✭✭
    Here is what I do: Research part number at manufactures website. Take part number to Amazons and order there.
    Always works.
    ?The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.?
    Margaret Thatcher

    "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
    Mark Twain
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  • BeeramidBeeramid Member Posts: 7,264 ✭✭✭

    I ordered the blades, and spindle on Amazon. Usually try to get parts there.

    The blades are updated part# OEM Gravely. I swapped this blade with one of the other new ones, and the problem repeats.

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  • pulsarncpulsarnc Member Posts: 6,559 ✭✭✭✭

    Sounds like an out of spec blade from the factory . I am not quite in Karl’s league on mowers but that would be my guess

    cry Havoc and let slip  the dogs of war..... 
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  • BeeramidBeeramid Member Posts: 7,264 ✭✭✭
    https://forums.gunbroker.com/discussion/comment/11164841#Comment_11164841

    Karl could answer anything mower related! He was certainly in a league of his own.


    I was wondering if the blades might possibly be out of spec. I called the local Gravely dealer before I ordered these, and they stock Stens. I thought that was interesting.

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  • JunkballerJunkballer Member Posts: 9,309 ✭✭✭✭
    Lot's of people that fill orders can't read, the new blades could be mis-stamped too even if the part number is correct. I personally would compare all the blades, the new ones and the old with each other and go from there.

    "Never do wrong to make a friend----or to keep one".....Robert E. Lee

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  • spasmcreeksrunspasmcreeksrun Member Posts: 1,755 ✭✭✭
    is yer deck stamped steel or heavy welded metal....wonder about deck flex under belt tension
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  • love2shootlove2shoot Member Posts: 577 ✭✭✭
    The blade should be centered on the spindle and the same height as the other blades.  Can you hammer the deck out a bit, might have a tree dent in it.
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  • hillbillehillbille Member Posts: 14,459 ✭✭✭✭
    are both edges of the blade almost touching the deck when you spin the blade. if so can't see how pushing on side over doesn't make the other side of the blade go farther out/closer when in spins around to same point?????
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  • BobJudyBobJudy Member Posts: 6,671 ✭✭✭✭
    Have you checked the balance of the blade? If your new blades have the blade hole slightly misplaced they won't balance. After each sharpening I hang them on a nail to check balance. If the side that touches is heavier when you check it would be a simple task to grind a little off the end. That would fix the hitting deck problem and being balanced your spindles will last longer. Bob
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  • JunkballerJunkballer Member Posts: 9,309 ✭✭✭✭
    If you've got back and forth sliding ability with the blades........simply put, you've got the wrong blades for that mower, that should not ever happen.

    "Never do wrong to make a friend----or to keep one".....Robert E. Lee

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  • BeeramidBeeramid Member Posts: 7,264 ✭✭✭

    Alright I've been looking at things and the old blade part # was 13.88", the updated # for my mower are 13.94".


    Oregon Gator G3 blades are 13.93"

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