Maintenance
24
Tightening Blade Bolts (
continued
)
The second danger is that when the bolt is not sufficiently tight, the blade is allowed excess vertical
movement when it strikes an object, be it something it will cut or something into which it should not
come in contact. In this situation, the blade is being hammered against the blade carrier and flexed,
or bent, up around the edge of the blade carrier at least twelve (12) times per second, generally fifteen
(15) times per second. This situation will cause the blade to break from fatigue and to be ejected from
the mower.
The third danger is that, while
the second situation is ocurring, the
blade bolt is also hammering the
underside of the blade carrier; the
shoulder of the blade bolt beats an
indention around the blade bolt hole
into which the bolt shoulder will fit.
When this damage occurs, the blade
bolt will pull up into the indention
when the bolt is tightened, causing
the blade to jam so that it can no lon-
ger pivot on the blade bolt. A jammed
blade will break either from fatigue or
from catostrophic occurance and will
allow the blade to be ejected. A blade carrier damaged in this manner must be taken out of service im-
mediately. Repair the blade carrier (contact Brown Mfg. Corp. for instructions) and replace the blades
and blade bolts before returning the machine to service.
All three of the described occurances will cause the blades to break and be ejected. An ejected
blade can and will cause serious injury or death.
REMEMBER: Blades must pivot freely and blade bolts must be tight!
Proper Gearbox Lubrication
On level ground, remove the 1/8” (lower) pipe plug from the rear of the gearbox housing. If the oil
level is not at the 1/8” port, oil must be added. Remove the 1/2” (upper) vent plug from the housing
and add the recommended lubricant (cottonpicker spindle grease) until the oil level reaches the lower
port.
Make certain both plugs are replaced and tightened securely before operating.
