Toro Flex 21 reel resistance Cancel The title field is required!

1. James Prusa

   

   1 posts
   
   4/20/2012 3:04 AM

   Has anyone experienced any issues with the Toro Flex 21 reels with a reel spin resistance buildup ? We purchased 5 unit last season for our Nicklaus course and our Fleet Manager just called my attention to a developing problem. With about 130 hours on the machines 2 out of 5 mowers have developed a resistance in the spinning of the reel. It is a constant inertia working against the free spin of the reel. We use no-contact adjustment with spin grinding and one can easily feel that there is a greater resistance in two of the machines. It is to the point that the spin grinder motor will not start the reel spinning without manual assistance.
   
   The bearings seem OK, but i am having them replace the parts. Nonetheless, bearing should not be starting to seize with only 130 hours and excellent maintenance. When checked by hand the reels exhibit a constant, smooth and continual resistance to spin movement. We isolated the reel unit from the drive assembly and also removed the groomer and the resitance remains.
   
   I am also going to have them use a tension gauge meter to objectively measure the amount of force required to start turning the reel.
   
   If anyone has had similar problems, please email me to: jgp@alumni-gsb.stanford.edu
   
   Thanks, Jim Prusa

   
   
   
   
2. Donald Szymkowicz

   

   0 posts
   
   4/20/2012 5:04 AM

   Toro had issues with the reel seals that they were using. Some were tighter on the shaft than others. I think they have a few different seals for the same application.

   
   
   
   
3. Dennis Cook

   

   1 posts
   
   4/20/2012 6:04 AM

   If i remember right, this reel has a V-Ring seal that goes on the shaft before the housing goes on. This V-ring Seal rests and rotates against the reel housing seal so if they get dry the rubber of the two seals stick and they rotate very poorly. You need to check the V-Ring and grease it real well and reassemble. More than likely if the V-ring seal got dry, it probably wore out too. If you are going to disassemble you might as well replace the v-ring seal and grease it with marine grease before reassembly and that grease will last longer on that V-ring. The V-Ring really helps with the longevity of the bearings and does what it was designed to do, except it binds severly when its dry