Today is Wednesday. I took delivery of a brand new (0.2 hours on meter) Raptor SD 48" from our local dealer. I did what I thought was sufficient research on the product and came away convinced that this was the mower best suited for our needs. The mower was delivered to my home Monday evening. The driver off loaded the machine and drove it briefly in my front yard, demonstrating its maneuverability, etc. He even offered to cut our side field (approximately 1 acre) to demo the mower's capabilities. We respectfully declined as during his demonstration of the very tight turning radius, he was digging holes into my turf. No biggie, it will grow back. Threatening to rain at any moment, we garaged the mower with plans to mow Tuesday.
Tuesday evening, I drove the mower briefly (not engaging the mower PTO), checked the oil, etc. My wife (whom usually cuts our yard and field) then got on and drove it for about 10 minutes, familiarizing herself with the steering and handling. After a bit, she then proceeded to cut the field. It is flat with no obstacles. Approximately 15 minutes into the mowing, I hear this loud thunk. She didn't hit anything. She immediately shuts down the mower deck and drives the machine to me for inspection. I see the left (drivers perspective) blade hanging beneath the deck. I removed the plastic shroud to find the pulley lying atop the deck along with two large spacers and what appears to be a clamp ring. After an extensive search in the field, we found the top bolt and washer. I checked the top bolt on the center spindle and i could spin (the bolt) freely by hand. I did not remove the other shroud and check that bolt but I am fairly sure I would find the same thing. Long story, I know.
The point is this, shouldn't this unit have been delivered ready to go? Why weren't these bolts tightened to specification? I am mechanically inclined and am able to fix the issues, but this unit has now only 1.0 hours on it and I am already having to replace the left spindle, blade shaft and pulley (the star in the center was reamed).
I wonder, if we had allowed the dealer driver to mow, would it have come apart "on his watch"? Have any of you experienced similar problems? Am I going to have to check this deck each time before I use it to see if it is vibrating apart? I really like the machine. I hope this is an isolated incident. Going to see the dealer this morning. My grass continues to grow...
Oleo
Tuesday evening, I drove the mower briefly (not engaging the mower PTO), checked the oil, etc. My wife (whom usually cuts our yard and field) then got on and drove it for about 10 minutes, familiarizing herself with the steering and handling. After a bit, she then proceeded to cut the field. It is flat with no obstacles. Approximately 15 minutes into the mowing, I hear this loud thunk. She didn't hit anything. She immediately shuts down the mower deck and drives the machine to me for inspection. I see the left (drivers perspective) blade hanging beneath the deck. I removed the plastic shroud to find the pulley lying atop the deck along with two large spacers and what appears to be a clamp ring. After an extensive search in the field, we found the top bolt and washer. I checked the top bolt on the center spindle and i could spin (the bolt) freely by hand. I did not remove the other shroud and check that bolt but I am fairly sure I would find the same thing. Long story, I know.
The point is this, shouldn't this unit have been delivered ready to go? Why weren't these bolts tightened to specification? I am mechanically inclined and am able to fix the issues, but this unit has now only 1.0 hours on it and I am already having to replace the left spindle, blade shaft and pulley (the star in the center was reamed).
I wonder, if we had allowed the dealer driver to mow, would it have come apart "on his watch"? Have any of you experienced similar problems? Am I going to have to check this deck each time before I use it to see if it is vibrating apart? I really like the machine. I hope this is an isolated incident. Going to see the dealer this morning. My grass continues to grow...
Oleo