RHINO RHINO TW144, Operator'S Manual

Page: 172 / 196

MAINTENANCE
TW144 01/11 Maintenance Section 5-14
©2011 Alamo Group
MAINTENANCE
BLADE CARRIER INSTALLATION
Clean the splines on both the blade carrier and output shaft. Position carrier on the gearbox output shaft and
install special washer, and nut.
Tighten nut holding blade carrier to minimum 450 ft. pounds, strike the carrier near the hub several times with a
heavy hammer to seat the hub. Use a suitable spacer over the nut to prevent damage to the nut and threads.
Retighten the nut to 450 ft. pounds. Install cotter pin and spread.
Operating the mower with a loose blade pan or holder can damage the taper connection on
the gearbox output shaft. To ensure proper seating between the blade holder and output
shaft, check and tighten the retaining nut after the first day of operation. Recheck the blade
carrier attachment each morning before operating. Grasp the carrier firmly with both hands
and try to push and pull the carrier with one hand while pulling and pushing with the other
hand to try to rock or oscillate the blade carrier. If the carrier is loose, retighten the retaining
nut before operating the mower.
Always recheck gearbox output shaft slotted blade carrier retaining nut torque after a few
hours operation.
Avoid personal injury. Do not work under cutter without support blocks to keep frame from
falling.
BLADE CARRIER INSPECTION
Blade bolt fit into carrier bushings should be checked every time blades are changed. The blade bolt should fit
into carrier bushings as a snug slip fit. If the blade bolt fit appears to be loose or sloppy, measure the square
hole in bushing. If the bottom of the square hole is 1/16” or greater than the square shoulder of the new blade
bolt the bushings should be replaced. Bushings can be removed by cutting bushing head where it is welded to
carrier bar. Once head is removed bushing can be pressed out of bar. Clean and grind top of blade bar so new
bushing can be installed and welded. Bushing should be pressed into bar as far as possible. Use low hydrogen
rod to weld bushing in place.
Failure to replace a worn blade carrier bushing as described above may lead to catastrophic
failure of the blade, blade bolt, and/or blade bolt nut resulting in the ejection of the broken
parts out from under the mower at tremendous speed and force which could result in serious
bodily injury or death.