I'm a new member and have a few questions

[neokm]

Hello from Schenectady NY where the grass just keeps on growing so fast my 40-year old Bobcat can hardly keep up.
Two weeks ago I was in the yard and my neighbor was mowing his lawn when all of the sudden he hit a rock and his 2-year old John Deere 22" JS26 walk behind mower came to a screeching halt. After several restart attempt she gave up rolled it out to the street with a "FREE" sign on it. The next morning I approached him to see if he would mind if I claimed it. Sure enough, I parked it next my 40-year old Bobcat, a machine I could disassemble and reassemble just about as quick as my M-14 when I was in the Army a long time ago.

Yesterday, a rainy stormy day allowed me to take a look at it. I removed all cowling, starter, flywheel, blade and hub. . .Then gave it a good cleaning to get to know it. I must say, I can't understand JD engineering such a steel hub w/built in spline instead of woodruff-key, and made it so unforgiving. I was hoping to see a sheared key. Next, I pulled the flywheel and noticed that the mag was scraping it. The woodruff key and slot seemed OK. I REASSEMBLED IT AND ADJUSTED THE MAG TO 12.0t . . .all seems ok. I will attempt to start it tomorrow, after my neighbor goes to work. Don't want him get upset if it works. Could be that it won't start . . .in which case it has internal damage with the crank, cams or valves. I searched the net for a B&S series 700 short block to no avail.

This might end up being the cleanest JD walk behind on the scrap heap. Keep your fingers crossed.

Neokm

 

[mechanic mark]

https://www.google.com/webhp?source...&ie=UTF-8#q=b&s engine short block 700 series

 

[Briana]

Let us know what happens! And welcome to the forum! :welcome:

We moved your thread to the Small Engine & Mower Repair forum.

 

[mechanic mark]

Hello from Schenectady NY where the grass just keeps on growing so fast my 40-year old Bobcat can hardly keep up.
Two weeks ago I was in the yard and my neighbor was mowing his lawn when all of the sudden he hit a rock and his 2-year old John Deere 22" JS26 walk behind mower came to a screeching halt. After several restart attempt she gave up rolled it out to the street with a "FREE" sign on it. The next morning I approached him to see if he would mind if I claimed it. Sure enough, I parked it next my 40-year old Bobcat, a machine I could disassemble and reassemble just about as quick as my M-14 when I was in the Army a long time ago.

Yesterday, a rainy stormy day allowed me to take a look at it. I removed all cowling, starter, flywheel, blade and hub. . .Then gave it a good cleaning to get to know it. I must say, I can't understand JD engineering such a steel hub w/built in spline instead of woodruff-key, and made it so unforgiving. I was hoping to see a sheared key. Next, I pulled the flywheel and noticed that the mag was scraping it. The woodruff key and slot seemed OK. I REASSEMBLED IT AND ADJUSTED THE MAG TO 12.0t . . .all seems ok. I will attempt to start it tomorrow, after my neighbor goes to work. Don't want him get upset if it works. Could be that it won't start . . .in which case it has internal damage with the crank, cams or valves. I searched the net for a B&S series 700 short block to no avail.

This might end up being the cleanest JD walk behind on the scrap heap. Keep your fingers crossed.

Neokm

Thanks Neokm for the post, please keep us informed as to what you find.

 

[neokm]

Thanks Neokm for the post, please keep us informed as to what you find.

Hurray, It's Working! I reassembled and reset mag clearance. Slight bend on the blade. . .replaced it. It seems that the kinetic impact energy transferred to the deck, deforming it. To get the blade to rotate with the same clearance all around, I shimmed between deck and motor base with 3/8"washers to obtain correct blade circular relationship to deck bottom. Saturday we're on the way to Point Pleasant NJ to give it to our son for his property management business.

I will visit this site from time to time. Thanks.

 

[Zeroturner]

I'm in awe with your expertise.

You must either be a mechanic or an engineer.

 

[neokm]

Actually, I am a retired owner of a marketing communications company with a second hat for visualizing what clients have and would best work for them. . .in those days to succeed, you had to listen closely and be analytical. Always had a second love for seeing what can fix problems. Employees being the worse of which. I am up here in the former GE Power Generation HQ worked on everything from Nuclear Submarines to Mop Wringers. In the Mohegan language Schenectady translates to "wide and open spaces" which is what we have become once more. Most all manufacturing moved south or to other world wide countries of low cost labor. We have become in effect, another New York City to join the rust belt. . .classic example is me trying to reincarnate a lawnmower. I mentioned that I have a circa 1974 Bobcat. . .which is my mainstay walk behind. Kind of tells you I am anything but a "throwaway guy".

Thanks for your reply . . .my response was therapeutic.