JD 2500E after cut appearance Cancel The title field is required!

1. Robert Searle

   

   0 posts
   
   5/4/2012 7:05 AM

   We have a 2009 2500E that has never had a satisfactory after cut appearance. I'm at my boiling point with this machine and hoping someone here might have some insight. I've done just about everything I can think of, freshly ground reel/bedknife, made sure rollers were parallel with bedknife, tire pressures. Even sent them back to distributor to grind the reel and set it up. I had a theory that the groomer gear weighed less than the motor and caused the unit to have more down pressure on the motor side (judging by the fact that the unit is lopsided when the units are lifted up). So this winter I took the groomers off, still no luck, although the units weight does seem more evenly distributed. Anyway, I'm sick of using a $30,000 machine for only post topdressing mowings.
   
   Anyone have suggestions?
   
   Thanks,
   Bob Searle
   Abenkaee Club
   Maine

   
   
   
   
2. Matt Falvo

   

   0 posts
   
   5/4/2012 7:05 AM

   What bedknife are you using?
   What is the height of cut?
   How many blades on the reels?
   What is the approx. bedknife attitude?
   Are all the attitudes the same or close?
   Is the mow speed excessively fast or slow?
   
   Any pictures of the after cut appearance?
   
   
   Bret Hart
   Equipment Manager
   Turning Stone Resort

   
   
   
   
3. Robert Searle

   

   0 posts
   
   5/4/2012 8:05 AM

   Bret,
   
   HOC is .150 +/- depending on time of year. Using standard knives part # ET17533. 11 Bladed reels. Appropriate mowing speed. Not exactly sure on the attitude, but rear roller brackets are bolted through the predetermined holes for the HOC. By visual inspection I would say they are in a non-aggressive position. I'll work on the Picture.
   
   Bob

   
   
   
   
4. Matt Falvo

   

   0 posts
   
   5/4/2012 8:05 AM

   Ok, non aggressive position.
   I'm guessing that after you mow, the bottom of the bedknife is shined up all the way from front (leading edge) to back (trailing edge)? If this is the case, I would suggest adding some attitude as a shallow angle will allow the knife to drag and "scuff" the turf.
   
   You may want to try a thinner knife such as the ET17534 tournament. They are thin but allow for a bit more clearance between the cutting unit and the turf. These units are quite heavy and your effective height of cut will be lower than your bench setting especially if the turf is soft.
   
   What mowers are you using when this machine is parked? Is it another 2500 or a different make?
   
   
   Bret Hart
   Equipment Manager
   Turning Stone Resort

   
   
   
   
5. Robert Searle

   

   0 posts
   
   5/4/2012 8:05 AM

   We do tend to get some buildup on the underside of the bedknife. I'll try a more aggressive attitude. This 2500 is our only triplex set for greens. We use flex's almost exclusively during our peak season.
   
   Thanks for your help Bret, I'll keep you posted on the results.
   
   Bob

   
   
   
   
6. Matt Falvo

   

   0 posts
   
   5/4/2012 9:05 AM

   If you're getting some build up on the back edge of the bedknife, it sounds like you may have enough attitude to get the job done. A change could help though.
   
   If you are setting your Flex's at the same bench height as the 2500, I would recommend getting a prism and checking the effective height of cut between the two. The 2500's will likely be cutting lower and setting them, the 2500's, higher on the bench could cure your issues and give you the same effective height of cut.
   
   We mow daily with Flex's and when they, the Flex's, are set at .095 we need to have our 2500 set around .125 to .130 to match.
   
   Hope this helps.
   
   
   Bret Hart
   Equipment Manager
   Turning Stone Resort

   
   
   
   
7. Henry Heinz

   

   0 posts
   
   5/4/2012 11:05 AM

   Use the JRM bedknives, 114's. They are an extended cut knife. You will get a much better cut with this knife. I ran them on all our units during my time in Philly, Pa. I also changed them out as soon as our equipment arrived on property. Front roller brackets should be in the number 2 or 3 slots, and you want roughly a 6% bedknife attitude angle. We mowed between .080 and .110 and never had an issue with quality of cut on our bent, and bent/poa greens. If your still having issues send me an email and I can hook you up with a couple very short grinding and setup videos that show a very simple way of assuring all three units are set exactly the same.
   
   Regards,

   
   
   
   
8. Dalton Andrew

   
   5/4/2012 9:05 PM

   We have a 2500E that was our greens mower last season and had the same problem. We have since turned it into an approach mower and have not noticed it as much but still happens. We did find that the locking nut that keeps the height of cut adjustment in place was slowly loosening up. Use a marker and mark all your adjustments and see if they move on you.
   
   Andy