Export thread

Ok I have put new spindles, new blades, and still the blades are uneven when you spin together, my brother does all the work and is very smart! Need advice of what to do next! Deck is level was cutting fine when a spindle went bad now it it is awful! I read somewhere that you could shim the spindle but do not understand how and why that would work, blade is only out on one side! Craftsman 42 in. Model 917.270532! Thanks for any info!

asiloj41 said:

Ok I have put new spindles, new blades, and still the blades are uneven when you spin together, my brother does all the work and is very smart! Need advice of what to do next! Deck is level was cutting fine when a spindle went bad now it it is awful! I read somewhere that you could shim the spindle but do not understand how and why that would work, blade is only out on one side! Craftsman 42 in. Model 917.270532! Thanks for any info!

Click to expand...

You would shim the one side that is off.
Think of the spindle as leaning...
You would try a variation of washers to even it out...you might have two washers in one spot ans one in another, or a thick and a thin...etc
Take a piece of paper and small ruler...someone had a measuring gauge they made a few days ago on the forum with pictures)
maybe if you measure the tips of each blade at different positions...they can be level at 6 o'clock and uneven at 12 O'clock for example.

Thanks for the info my brother said that isn't it? Stil looking for answers though!

asiloj41 said:

Ok I have put new spindles, new blades, and still the blades are uneven when you spin together, my brother does all the work and is very smart! Need advice of what to do next! Deck is level was cutting fine when a spindle went bad now it it is awful! I read somewhere that you could shim the spindle but do not understand how and why that would work, blade is only out on one side! Craftsman 42 in. Model 917.270532! Thanks for any info!

Click to expand...

QUOTE:Blades are uneven when you spin together.

*********************************************************************
Take the blades off and lay one on top of the other to check for a bent blade. They should match perfect. I realize they are new but just do it before doing something completely un-necessary.

If the blades are true make a gauge similar to this one so measurements can be recorded since there will be several measurements and numbers aren't something we need at this time. Install the styrofoam strip so the bottom end reaches the bottom of the gauge.

Park the tractor on a known ( flat ) surface ( no need to be level, just flat ) , with tire pressure correct and deck height set about where you usually choose to mow. Position the left blade 90° to tractor length and check both cutting edges of that blade for height while in that 90ï½° position and compare. Only one mark should appear on the styrofoam strip or very close depending on how flat the surface is the tractor is on. Label that strip left blade cutting edges etc.

Install a new strip and repeat that procedure on the right hand blade.

After checking both blades then the two can be compared for height from the base of the gauge.

That's good enough for now until we determine those readings to see if, or where things are off.

Made sure blades were right when we brought them, also all tire pressure is correct, these are old suggestions, have read all theses ideas elsewhere, need NEW IDEAS, we went thru all the old ideas! But thanks for the replies!

asiloj41 said:

Made sure blades were right when we brought them, also all tire pressure is correct, these are old suggestions, have read all theses ideas elsewhere, need NEW IDEAS, we went thru all the old ideas! But thanks for the replies!

Click to expand...

What an attitude... How could any one know what you have read or done?
The guy spent effort to post to try and help you.

Did you go to the trouble and actually do it? Measure each blade? At various positions...I doubt it...you just eyeballed it good...

Good luck.

I had a short answer but thought it would be somewhat demeaning but now I can post it.

Your very smart brother put one of the blades on upside down. :laughing:

SeniorCitizen said:

I had a short answer but thought it would be somewhat demeaning but now I can post it.

Your very smart brother put one of the blades on upside down. :laughing:

Click to expand...

Lmao:laughing:

For one thing The blades are not on upside down, was not trying to demean anyone, I am 50 + yr old woman who knows how to work on things! I have had 3 chevelle malibu's, I have worked in machine shops! So do not treat me like a bimbo! I have a 3 bay concert floor we did measure the blades when we brought them! I do not know where you get off at, I have been reading blogs for days making notes! And this is what kind of crap I get! We can not understand how a great cutting machine started cutting so bad! I have had this lawn tractor for 2 yrs! I have taken care of it! It was used when I got it, but it cut great no problems! What changed beside the bad spindle? We have checked and double checked everything! And by the way my brother was a engineer! He is no dummy either!

No one here knows what you have found or seen on the web. They are trying to help you.
Post up some pics so everyone can see exactly what the problem is.

When the new mandrel was install did the spacer get put back under the pulley?

Was the new mandrel compared to the old to make sure that you received the correct part?

Was the mandrel a OEM or after market part?

When the old mandrel was damaged was the deck also damaged or bent?

You can complain all you want about getting suggested things you already checked but since we were not present we can't know what you have done. Those things keep coming up because they are the most common causes.

From what is been posted it appears that when you put the blade tips together they are not even in the middle. Is that correct?

if my assumption is correct, it can only be caused by 3 things. The blades are bent, The spindle housing is uneven and isn't sitting flat on the deck housing or the deck is sprung. How far off are the blade tips. A picture would tell us a lot about the issues you are having.

2 set of Brand New Blades, Spindles from Sears! Yes all parts were put back correctly. When you turn the blades to see if they are even the left blade is 1/8 in. out on one side only, everything else is fine blades are even when you turn them the around the other ways! Both sets of new blades are the same 1/8 in. out on one side only on left blade! Also the star on the spindle is what was wrong with the old spindle it was just plain wore out! This is why I replaced both of them at the same time! Also one of the spindles looked like it had been replaced before I owed this mower! Seems funny it mowed perfect before the spindle went bad, has us baffled, and just for a small note I have note hit anything with the mower!

asiloj41 said:

Ok I have put new spindles, new blades, and still the blades are uneven when you spin together, my brother does all the work and is very smart! Need advice of what to do next! Deck is level was cutting fine when a spindle went bad now it it is awful! I read somewhere that you could shim the spindle but do not understand how and why that would work, blade is only out on one side! Craftsman 42 in. Model 917.270532! Thanks for any info!

Click to expand...

I was noticing the same thing. My right blade was cutting higher than the left blade. I thought that the blade might just be dull and sharpened it and a better cut but still higher. I thought that maybe the left blade was bent and cutting a little bit lower. When I removed the blade and sharpened it I noticed the at the right anti scalp wheel was higher than the other three wheels. They were almost all three touching the ground except the front right wheel that was at least an inch or more higher than the others. I thought that maybe something was bent on the mower deck. Here is what I came up with. I like mowing on the highest level for the height for the deck. I decided to lower the deck and drive through the uncut grass area to see what I get, and the cut was even all the way through. I mowed the rest of the yard on the lower level and the cut was even. Go figure !!! I have the same Craftsman 42" mower. Nice mower.

asiloj41 said:

2 set of Brand New Blades, Spindles from Sears! Yes all parts were put back correctly. When you turn the blades to see if they are even the left blade is 1/8 in. out on one side only, everything else is fine blades are even when you turn them the around the other ways! Both sets of new blades are the same 1/8 in. out on one side only on left blade! Also the star on the spindle is what was wrong with the old spindle it was just plain wore out! This is why I replaced both of them at the same time! Also one of the spindles looked like it had been replaced before I owed this mower! Seems funny it mowed perfect before the spindle went bad, has us baffled, and just for a small note I have note hit anything with the mower!

Click to expand...

Just taking a shot in the dark, you might check to see if one of the ears on the mandrel isn't cracked or broken. They're cast. So they're easy to break. Also, the one side seems to be cutting too low, it could be that the other side is the culprit, and cutting too high.

I get the feeling that this problem is an extremely simple one. So simple that it is being overlooked.

Jack up the front end, right in the middle and see if the front axle is loose enough to pivot as it's supposed to. You might check to see if the plastic bushings aren't worn out.
https://www.ebay.com/p/AYP-Craftsma...6-Set-of-8/4021421172?iid=361523241021&chn=ps

I would consider 1/8 inch to be within tolerances and it shouldn't have a noticeable effect on cut quality.