OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Question On Scott Bonnar Cylinder Mowers Barrel removal tips for Dip 430

Hi guys,

I need to remove my barrel and bottom blade, and i am wondering if you have any tips for this process including putting them back on and re aligning particularly.
P.S i am a reel virgin, ha ha!

Cheers,

Hi gravelman, Never having worked on a SB Diplomat, I am flying blind here, but I will try, with your help, to give you some advice as most reel mowers have a similiar set-up.
I presume by your term "barrel" that you mean the cylinder reel, is that the case?
I have heard the term "barrel" also applied to the rear(large)roller.

Are you removing the reel and bottom blade for sharpening?

If so, firstly, you should download the Parts List and Manual for your machine, if you have not already done so. To do this you should read the first post in any topic in the main forum area..."Access to Parts and Manuals" and follow the instructions. This will give you illustration numbers to the parts that you will need to remove and of course, to replace later.
Could you please answer these questions, then we can go further.

Deej,

Yes i am referring to the reel, and yes i will do the bottom blade also.

As far as the manual goes, is this a free download or does it cost?

Cheers.

Hi Gravelman, read the first post in any topic in the main forum area..."Access to Parts and Manuals" and follow the instructions. This will give you illustration numbers to the parts that you will need to remove and of course, to replace later. There is a subcription charge for the manual, but you will require it for the part numbers, if you need to buy spare parts in future and for repairs/removal and replacement in the right order.
BTW. You will need to remove the bottom blade complete with the soleplate (bottom blade holder) Do not detach the bottom blade.The person that sharpens the reel will do this if necessary.

Hey Gravelman, how did you get on? Did you get the reel out OK?

Hi DJ, sorry for my lack of response.
I got the reel out no worries, it was a left hand thread on the pulley which i made a tool for the job.
Just a piece of flat bar with 2 bolts and a nut each side.

Sad thing is there is only 3-5 mm of meat left on the reel blades so i have to hunt for a new reel.
TMF have one, but $137 delivered makes this mower look pretty expensive when i paid $120 for it initially then $140 for the catcher, now the reel - not to mention the service cost when i bought it. Getting towards $450 all up now.

Cheers.

Hi gravelman, I'm glad to see that you got the reel out ok, sorry to hear that the reel is unserviceable.

Mate,the thing to remember here is that you've purchased a piece of precision engineering, some parts of it's operation requiring close tolerances.The machine will require regular maintenance and replacement parts will tend to be expensive, but that is the nature of the beast.

To have a worn reel within 3-5mm of the separating discs means that it has done a lot of work in it's time, and has been sharpened many times. My guess is that the bottom knife-blade will be worn as well, and probably in need of replacement.

The model 430, not being a very popular machine, I very much doubt that someone will have a spare reel lying around...
Keith at TMS, is one person that has a heap of used spares for most Scott Bonnar models and has a reel to suit your for $137 delivered, which, in my opinion, is a very fair price.

My thoughts would be to get Keith to spin-grind (sharpen) the used reel for you (if it hasn't been already)and depending on the condition of your bed-knife, supply a new one, ground and fitted to your knife-blade holder.

You would have to send him the blade holder complete with the existing blade...(he has the expertise to remove it) The reel bearings may need replacement as well. For correct reel to bed-knife alignment, the bearings have to be in perfect condition.
You could then put it back together, carry out the alignment, check and adjust your belt tensions, and then you're ready to go, with many hours of mowing pleasure!
Just remember that these machines were approximately $1700 when new, so even with the extra expense, you've still got a cylinder mower at a great price.

Thanks DJ,
I might have to get Keith's reel after all. But my bed knife seems pretty good still!
I have new bearings waiting and ready!

Thanks for your help, i think adjustment will be my next problem.

Cheers.

As this post is over 2 years old, I will now close it.