Hi Clacker and Bruce,

I see there is a manual here https://bwmachinery.com.au/wp-conte...linder-mowers-400CM-500CM.pdf?utm_source



Back roller pawl disc / Pawl PE-back roller V2

What that pawl disc is actually doing

On the Bushranger roller drive, that pawl disc + plastic lugs act as a torque-limiting / engagement system:

The plastic lugs engage the outer drum to drive the roller

Under overload (wet grass, hill, sudden stop), the lugs can slip or deform slightly instead of:

stripping gears

snapping shafts

wrecking the clutch or belt

If it’s slipping now, that usually means:

The plastic lugs are worn/rounded

The recesses in the drum are worn

Or the roller clutch/belt isn’t fully engaging, so the pawl is being asked to transmit more torque than designed

Why gluing it is a bad idea

Even with a strong adhesive (epoxy, JB Weld, etc.):

Plastic + metal + shock load = glue failure

Roller drives see repeated shock loads

The glue will eventually shear

You remove the designed slip

If it does hold, the next weak link will fail

That’s usually more expensive than a pawl disc

Heat + moisture

Rollers get hot

Wet grass + washing = adhesives degrade fast

Best case: temporary fix
Worst case: broken roller shaft, stripped gearbox, or clutch damage

Better fixes
1. Inspect the whole drive system first

Before replacing parts:

Check roller drive belt tension and condition

Make sure the roller clutch cable is fully engaging (they stretch over time)

Confirm the clutch arm is actually moving to full travel

A partially engaged clutch will destroy pawls.

2. Replace the pawl disc (most common fix)

If the plastic lugs are rounded:

Replace the pawl disc

If available, replace the outer drum as well if the recesses are chewed

This is the correct, long-term solution.

3. Temporary “get-me-through-the-week” hack (if you must)

If parts aren’t immediately available and you need it running:

Shim the lugs very lightly (thin brass shim, aluminium tape, or even a single wrap of fiberglass tape)

This increases engagement without locking it solid

Expect it to be temporary

I’d still avoid glue—even as a stopgap.






My recommendation

If this were my mower:

Adjust/check clutch cable travel

Inspect belt and idler

Replace the pawl disc (and drum if worn)

Do not glue it

Cheers
Max.