310-8 deck wheel problem

[guyheinz 0]

I have a 310-8 wheel horse and the mower deck has three small plastic barrel shaped front wheels that are quite far off the ground when the deck is in the cutting position. The rear deck wheels are the larger push mower type (5 inch or so) and they are in constant contact with the ground when cutting. When i put a new rear deck wheel on (I have tried different axle bolts, sleeves, etc) the axle spins and turns the nut off and of course the wheel falls off. Are the rear deck wheels supposed to be in contact with the ground in normal cutting position? My deck has been adjusted to slightly lower in the front on a flat surface. Are the front deck wheels supposed to be sooo far off the ground in normal cutting position? How do I get the rear deck wheels to stop coming off? It seems like this should be so easy, but it frustrating the heck out of me. Is there some step by step for proper deck adjustment and a procedure for dummies for putting new wheels on? Thanks in advance

With the deck in the fully raised (non cutting) position, the rear wheels of the deck are still in contact with the ground. I thought these wheels were supposed to be off the ground and touch when cutting uneven areas to prevent scalping. I adjusted the trunion at the back of the deck that adjusts the rear deck wheels so that the front is a little higher than the back. Stumped here!

Guy

[pfrederi 18,987]

The front rollers are there to help the deck over rough spots not to be in constant contact. the rear wheels should ride on the ground while mowing. They may or may not touch when lifted, depends on the height of cut you have the wheels set for.

Are you using the correct bolts to hold teh wheel on. The have a smooth bearing surface and only a short threaded section. Loctite or a jam nut on the end should solve your problem

[guyheinz 0]

Good morning! Yes, the bolt is an axle bolt with only threads at the end. The rear deck tire comes into contact with the deck unless i put alot of washers on the threaded end of the axle bolt using the 6 inch tires. Should the shoulder of the axle bolt be even with the axle hub of the tire or protrude out the end? I have tried endless variation of this including wheels with hub bearings and still the result is the same--the wheels fall off. Maybe a smaller tire? Really, i guess i need a bolt with longer thread because I only get enuff to barely get the nut on let alone including a jam nut!

Thank you

'

Guy

[kpinnc 15,758]

The rear deck wheel should never come into contact with the deck- through the full range of adjustment. I assume based on your description that you have a 42-inch deck.

Is the bolt you're using a "shouldered bolt"? The portion without threads should be considerably larger in diameter than the threaded section.

If you're using the right bolt, then it sounds like your wheel's "hub" is too wide. There should be plenty of room on the shouldered bolt to allow the wheel to move in and out, even when tightened up. The wheels should not fit tightly on the shaft. All I use on each of my decks is a lockwasher behind the nut, and I've never had one come off.

And for clarification, the rear deck wheels are guage wheels. They set the height of cut and allow the deck to float independent of the tractor. The smaller wheels are anti-scalp, and only contact the ground to keep the blades out of the turf if possible.

[guyheinz 0]

Hello,

Thank you for your replies. I finally got it to work correctly, although the wheel is still verrrry close to the deck. The first wheel i bought, I thought had a bearing hub in the middle because it had a zirc fitting for grease. Well, for whatever reason there is a zirc fitting but no wheel bearing!! I bought new wheels with bearings and shoulder bolts and all is well. Thanks again.

Guy