Problems with Bernhard Anglemaster 4000DXi

So the problem that I am having is that it doesn't grind Toro bed knives even. Grinder takes off to much of the bed knife in the center. So when I mount the bed knife back up in the reel the contact is great on the edges but as you travel towards the center the contact gets lighter and lighter. After a few lengthily talks on the phone with Bernhard I still haven't gotten a solution. Tuesday the Bernhard rep came out and did a few adjustments. We thought all was good but still the same problem. The picture below is what he adjusted. It is the bolt under the rear rail.

 After adjusting the bolt it seemed like it was better but still isn't right. To prove that the grinder isn't working properly I took 2 bed knives that I ground over to our Sister course. Ground them on a Foley and sure enough it took about 15 min to get it true. The Foley started contact on the edges.

I put a straight edge across the bar the bed knife mounts on and I noticed that the bar has a high spot right in the middle between the two magnets. Bernhard tells me that the high spot doesn't matter. The Bernhard Rep will be here today to figure out the issue.

So the Rep is here pulled grinder apart making sure everything is parallel and true. Hopefully he finds a solution today. I will post more on this as he finds out more info. 

 

 

Update on Grinding issues. After Chris pulled the grinder apart and started from scratch he got everything back square. Test ground 4 bed knives and no issues now. So a big thanks goes out to Chris with Bernhard for taking care of the issue.

Back lapping reels on a Toro 3250D

 This is our approach mower. The cut was a bit off yesterday. Just looked a bit shaggy.

 This what the reel was cutting like. Not terrible but not great. After adjusting the reels I just wasn't what I consider a great cut. I backed the contact off a bit because I am going to lap the reels.

 Ok so got the mower outside. Put it into back lap mode turned the reel speed down to lowest setting. I am using 120 grit compound. I like the quality of cut that I get from it. Remember if it takes longer than 5 min to lap then its time to grind the reels. This mower took about 3 min to lap.

After letting the reels dry after washing them off. I adjusted the reels to the lightest contact possible while still cutting paper. Also went ahead and checked the height and adjusted as necessary. this was a good time to grease any fittings that the mower has.

Adjusting reels on 3100D

Setting the clearance between reel and bed knife. With a little bit of luck it will cut paper with minimal contact. I haven't ground these reels in about 3 months so may need to back lap the reels.

 Looks really good cutting paper like a fresh ground reel. I check my reels after each cut so I can get the most out them before having to grind again.

Replacing bearings in Toro 5010 5" Reels

Checking over reel and found bad reel bearings.

Best way to remove reel is from left side. Take left housing bolts out and remove front and rear roller brackets. Slide side housing off. You may need to tap cover with a rubber mallet to get off. Then pull reel out of right housing

Ok now the fun part. You will need a puller to get the bearing off. It is press fitted onto the shaft.

Puller with a 3/8 drive short extension placed in reel drive so that the puller doesn't damage the splines.

Wipe grease off shaft. Do not use sandpaper or anything else to clean shaft. Bearing must be a press fit.

This is what I use to put bearing on with. It is a bearing installer for Toro rollers. Part # TOR 192660

Before you put the reel back in housing be sure to loosen the lock screw for the endplay nut. Then back nut off 2 turns.

I like to use the alignment tool that came with the mower to put the reel back in. just makes the process easier and you don't run the chance of damaging the bearing or housing.

All back together. Now time to adjust the endplay nut. I just hand tighten the nut until no endplay is felt. After the unit has been out once I recheck the endplay and adjust reel to bedknife contact.

Grinding Toro 5010 5" Reels

Time to grind the reels. After you have checked for bad bearings or excessive endplay and rollers. If all is good then time to grind.

Here is a short video of a reel on my new Express Dual Grinder.

Reel is done and bed knife is done. Now back together. Adjusting contact I prefer light contact as this prolongs your edge on the reel and bed knife plus wear on the hydraulic system.

Nice clean cut with minimal contact.

Set the height and now only 4 more to go.