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Foley 672

5 posts
  1. Charles Costello
    Charles Costello avatar
    2 posts
    8/16/2014 12:08 PM
    Good day everyone,

    Acquired a new reel and bedknife grinder a few months ago, and I feel our cuts are better and all was well with my mechanic... However in talking with my mechanic, he is sceptical and a little sceptical about the Bedknife grinder.

    His concerns are the following...

    1) Upon changing direction the entire unit "shakes" to the point where he feels it affects the grind on the edge. He has moved the change of direction switch "over" quite a ways from the end of the bedknife, allowing for more time for the vibrations to dissipate. This frustrates him because it just adds time to the entire operation.

    2) He also questions whether the machine could even "true up" a 6500 bedknife that is in bad shape. He says he has resorted to replacing worn with new bedknifes. Feels it would take hours to true up a worn 6500 knife or destroy the magnets in attempting to do so.

    Any thoughts would be appreciated.

    Charlie Costello
    Phoenix Country Club Golf Course Superintendent



  2. Chad Shafer
    Chad Shafer avatar
    2 posts
    8/16/2014 6:08 PM
    I hope I am understanding you correctly, is the entire bedknife grinder shaking while it is grinding a bedknife?
    If that is the case I would make sure that the bedknife grinder is level. I have seen units shake before if the bedknife grinder is not level. Most all units have an adjustment that can be made at all four corners of the grinder to level it out.
    My next question is the unit shaking when you grind different bedknifes or just the 6500 bedknife? If the unit shakes when you do different bedknifes. It could be that your grinding stone is out of adjustment or the stone could be loose causing things to vibrate and shake. Another cause could be that you have a bad bearing in the grinder. But if the unit is brand new I don't think that would be the case.
    The last thing I would check if it's just the 6500 that is giving you the problem and no other bedknifes. The bed bar which is what the bedknife mounts to could be bent a little or warped. Sometimes if the bed bar is warped it can be difficult to true a bedknife up.
    I hope this helps. Good luck. Let me know



  3. Dinger Greg
    Dinger Greg avatar
    8/16/2014 10:08 PM
    Check closely, the inside of the cup of the stone. This area can build up grinding stuff and coolant and cause the stone to run out of balance/vibrate. In regard to the 6500 knife, does this happen to be an Edgemax? If so, or even if not, what stone are you using? If it's not a diamond stone from Greenlee, it's not the best one...

    Check the jam nut set up right near the feed handle. You may find a little backlash in the threads there if that has seated in a little with use. Also, pull the cover off the back of the motor and clean the fan fins real good, as these can build up with grinder dust and vibrate.

    Lastly, the fellas at Foley are some of the best I've dealt with, in any aspect of business, for customer support. I've spent several troubleshooting sessions on the phone with Greg Lachansky, he's "The Man" and will stay with you until your challenge is pinpointed.



  4. Charles Costello
    Charles Costello avatar
    2 posts
    8/18/2014 2:08 PM
    Thanks guys!

    We will incorporate your suggestions.

    Keep ya posted.

    Take care.

    Charlie Costello
    Phoenix Country Club Golf Course Superintendent



  5. Henry Heinz
    Henry Heinz avatar
    0 posts
    8/19/2014 6:08 AM
    The vibration is when the carriage hits the left side to return back to the right is the way I am understanding your concerns. There is a small amount in those units when they switch direction, try slowing down the travel speed so it doesnt hit so hard. The first thing I would do is use a machinist level, maybe two and level the unit so it completely solid on the floor. Not your regular carpenters level, a good machinist level. That unit will do 6500 knives and it shouldn't take more than 10 to 15 minutes to do a touch up grind. You may also want to look at a CBN wheel for that unit, but to takes hours for a used knife for a 6500 tells me the stone must be loading up. The CBN will not require dressing and works great for worn knives, can grind harder, and last longer. Best part is there is a lot less movement of the carriage in and out because the stone does not wear like your typical rock wheel. Also you can call Foley, it's been awhile for me but I think there is an adjustment in the control box that can be made to regulated how hard it hits. You might be able to find it in your manuals as well. Major key is, being solid on all fours and perfectly level, and you can only get there through a machinist level. Some may not agree with it, but I learnd it the hard way and from one of the best in the business, Jim Soullier. I use them for my lathe, Mill, and all my reel grinding equipment. If you want it to run right, it has to be setup right. Not saying yours isn't, but thats the starting point for it all.

    Regards,



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