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Toro Recycler making terrible noise only w/blade installed

#1

T

tcant

I have an older Toro 22" Recycler Model 20218, ser. 1034942. The motor is B&S 5hp Model124702, Type 311501, Code 91031525. I'm trying to clean up for mowing season. On starting, it makes a loud noise that sounds as though the blade is contacting the mower housing. There is no sign on the housing or the blade that it is hitting anywhere. The blade is very tight and straight. When I remove the blade the mower starts and performs normally - no noise. Could it be a compression problem that appears under load? I only ran the blade for seconds as the noise is very evident. Any help is appreciated - my daughter cannot afford a different mower.


#2

sgkent

sgkent

on mine there is a baffle at the back that can get bent and the blade will touch it. Take a second look. Also make sure the engine bolts to the deck are tight, and that the blade is balanced. Put a round shaft screwdriver thru the center hole and hold the blade at different angles, see if one side of the blade always wants to fall.


#3

T

tcant

thanks sgkent I'll take a look for the baffle. The engine bolts are tight engine is strong on deck.


#4

sgkent

sgkent

probably a really long shot, but thinking about it, on mine there is a woodruff key that holds the blade hub from spinning on the shaft. i have no idea what it would sound like if that key was sheared and the hub was partially spinning on the shaft.


#5

R

Rivets

First, according to the model and serial numbers you posted you have a 21” cast deck mower, with rear wheel drive. That being said there are five things which you should check. 1. Make sure the kickers, mulch baffles, are tight and in good conditions. 2. Make sure the belt cover is installed properly and tight. 3. Make sure that the blade stiffener is in good condition and tight when you tighten the blade. 4. As stated before, blade must be in good condition and not bent. On this mower the only contact the blade could make is with the kickers and belt cover. 5. It’s very possible, with this blade adapter, for the key in the adapter to be sheared, unless you hit something very hard or ran the mower with the blade loose or incorrectly installed. Couple of questions. Does the noise change when you engage the drive? Does the noise change with engine speed?


#6

T

tcant

Rivets said:
First, according to the model and serial numbers you posted you have a 21” cast deck mower, with rear wheel drive. That being said there are five things which you should check. 1. Make sure the kickers, mulch baffles, are tight and in good conditions. 2. Make sure the belt cover is installed properly and tight. 3. Make sure that the blade stiffener is in good condition and tight when you tighten the blade. 4. As stated before, blade must be in good condition and not bent. On this mower the only contact the blade could make is with the kickers and belt cover. 5. It’s very possible, with this blade adapter, for the key in the adapter to be sheared, unless you hit something very hard or ran the mower with the blade loose or incorrectly installed. Couple of questions. Does the noise change when you engage the drive? Does the noise change with engine speed?
Click to expand...
I stand corrected on on the mower width at 21”. I will check the blade stiffener for a sheared pin. Both our daughter & her son used the mower last season SO it may have hit something hard. The blade doesn’t appear to be damaged. I haven’t run the motor more than ten (10) seconds a couple of times because it sounds as though the piston will crash through the block. I guess that if that happens - I’ll be done with it!!


#7

R

Rivets

If the engine runs good with no blade attached, you problem is in one of the areas I posted.


#8

T

tcant

Rivets said:
If the engine runs good with no blade attached, you problem is in one of the areas I posted.
Click to expand...
I checked all around in the blade area and there is no sign of the blade hitting anywhere HOWEVER when I re-installed the blade and ran the mower with a very tight blade, the blade bolt loosened. I had previously put "never seeze" on the bolt. In disassembly I found that the cast spacer (#62-7540), which has a raised pin cast into it that fits unto the groove in the drive shaft was sloppy loose but not otherwise damaged. It was loose enough to perhaps cause the blade to loosen. Do you think that I should hunt for a new #62-7540 or put some red thread locker and a new split washer on the bolt. I also noticed a hairline crack in the #62-7550 shaft belt pulley which I will deal with based on your advice about the spacer and bolt. Thank you for your help on the diagnosis- you were right on!


#9

sgkent

sgkent

the pin is a cast in woodruff key. The part seems to run $55 to $85 depending where it comes from. Here is a used one that may work for about $like 27 shipped. There are a couple other used ones on fleabay too. https://www.ebay.com/itm/134042336395?hash=item1f358bbc8b:g:~5gAAOSw5chiIP4E


#10

R

Rivets

I’m guessing your problem is caused by a combination of the use of never seize and a bad blade adapter. I personally never use it and never recommend it, but others on this forum call me a crazy old fart.


#11

T

tcant

Rivets said:
I’m guessing your problem is caused by a combination of the use of never seize and a bad blade adapter. I personally never use it and never recommend it, but others on this forum call me a crazy old fart.
Click to expand...
Many thanks for all your help. I ordered a blade adapter from EB. I cleaned the blade bolt and added a dab of red thread locker. I also added a large flat washer and a new split washer under the bolt. A final torque (guessed at number ‘cause I couldn’t find it anywhere) and no loud noise after a 15 min. run. Thanks again for your help.


#12

R

Rivets

In my opinion you may have problems down the road. I don’t like thread lock and split lock washers on blade assemblies. Manufacturer just calls for a bevel washer only. That being said it’s your unit and you can do as you want.


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