Help! I bent my 14SB!

[Philm35]

Hi all--

New member here...

While mowing a couple of days ago, my Deere 14SB's blade struck an immovable object (A street gutter grate). Immediately afterward, the mower exhibited severe vibration with the blade spinning.

A quick inspection revealed that the blade is now tilted It's about an inch lower on one end than the other. The blade itself is not bent. The hub that the blade mounts to appears tilted.

What have I bent? How can I fix this?

I don't think I damaged the engine (Kawasaki) It runs fine with no vibration when the blade is not engaged.

This mower has served me well for over 20 years. Would like to get another decade out of it.

Thanks,

--Phil

 

[Nwatson99]

Hey phil sorry to say this, but sounds like you have bent your deck with what you have described.
Give it a good visual inspection and see if you can see the engine sitting with a little tilt to it.

 

[SeniorCitizen]

To determine if the hub / spindle the blade attaches to has been bent you'll need to remove the blade and do a rim run out test. That may seem difficult but it is very simple so ask if you need help and I'll do my best to describe it.

 

[Philm35]

To determine if the hub / spindle the blade attaches to has been bent you'll need to remove the blade and do a rim run out test. That may seem difficult but it is very simple so ask if you need help and I'll do my best to describe it.

Hi Senior Citizen--

I'm not familiar with the rim run out test. Would you please describe how to perform it? I don't think my deck got bent, but I could be wrong.

Thanks,

--Phil

 

[Philm35]

Update:

Turns out that the cast iron frame for the blade brake clutch assembly broke. Replacing the assembly will be the fix. Fortunately the engine crankshaft wasn't bent that is often the case in these kind of incidents.

--Phil