Hi Jason, and thanks for the pic....it is an excellent looking piece of kit...I will send you a PM for some details...please check for a flashing envelope in the top toolbar next to 'My Stuff'.
You are quite correct in your assumptions re a sloppy front roller and the quality of cut...it just depends on the amount of wear present; if the end caps have been replaced and the shaft is not worn to excess, a little play is not so important....however, if all is badly worn and falling apart, the quality of cut will suffer as you say.
A new front roller shaft from the OutdoorKing Online Store is $84.07 and a replacement set of end caps $20.86...Total $104.93 plus freight.....I wonder how that will compare with the stainless steel version.
Thanks again for posting the pic for us, Jason,
