Gravely 30" bush hog problem

8898Sites · Jun 17, 2015

I have another issue with my gravely walk behind that I've never had before. The blade is not tight and I can spin the blade without it turning the gears. I tried to tighten the bolt but I can't because the gears turn. I can't block the blade and loosen nut. Will the triple purpose wrench help with this? I have heard of the wrench but I don't know what it looks like or where I can get one. I need to somehow lock the gears so I can loosen/ tighten the nut. Is there a certain way the washers go on in order to keep the blade engaged with the gears? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Ralph Sites 434-522-5840 (daytime) 540-583-2513 (evenings).

johnlobb · Jun 17, 2015

[email protected] might be a better place to ask this. They are real helpful and have a bunch of active experts there.

Bret4207 · Jun 17, 2015

Richards Lawn and Garden has illustrated parts diagrams. Just scroll down the page and the illustration for the 30" mower(s) is there. It sounds to me like the splines on your mower shaft may be bad.

http://www.gravelyparts.com/p/L-Model-Parts-Guide-4315

You should be able to block the clutch end, the part that goes into the advance casting on the tractor, and tighten the nut is the splines are still good. You may have to loosen the nut the clean the threads before it go on further. And air wrench is good for this.

Russ from MN · Jun 17, 2015

I would use an impact to take it apart and carefully study how it's designed, there must be something wrong with the assembly, also the threads need to be clean and lubricated. (anti-seize)

PJH · Jun 17, 2015

You said:
"The blade is not tight and I can spin the blade without it turning the gears."

also:
"I tried to tighten the bolt but I can't because the gears turn."

Have you recently changed the blade bolt? It sounds like the bolt is either too long and bottoming out, or a washer(s) is missing from the stack. If I remember right - the cutting height is changed by re-positioning some heavy "washers" above or below the blade where it mounts on the gearbox output shaft. It's been years since I've fooled with one, but I think those "washers" ranged from 1/2" to 1" thick. They all need to be in the stack, or the bolt will be too long. Tightening the blade? I always took the mower off the tractor and used a flat bar in the drive lugs to block the gearbox from turning while I tightened the blade bolt. Another possible issue - there is a built-in slip clutch that is pretty trouble free, but it might be slipping and causing issues. But first - I'd measure the blade bolt and compare it to the depth of the hole that it goes in. Gravelys are good old machines. My son has at least a half dozen of them.

Paul

PJH · Jun 17, 2015

Check out the link that Bret provided - I should have looked at it first - the blade, according to Bret's link, is nutted instead of bolted, but I still think there is something missing from your washer stack.

jeffcat · Jun 17, 2015

Make sure if you have a LEFT or RIGHT hand mower. If there is a big goofy looking round nut on top with two holes to tighten it, you have the worst one. This is left handed. You most likely lost the really thin spacer from the stack. It looks like a very thick washed. If yours is left handed you will also need a LEFT handed lock washer. Another thing is it should have TWO blades and a criss cross spacer. Now if your mower drive assembly says 106 somewhere on it you have a very good unit. I hope I have the correct number. These are awesome tough units, good luck.

Gravely 30" bush hog problem

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