Thanks Bill! When I bought mine I was afraid that due to its age it probably had a limited life left. Thanks to your videos it looks like I can expect many years out of it.
Great video! Just bought one of these mowers. Appreciate your showing the spindle assembly, bearing replacement, and informing us that DR still has at least some bearings for these. I prevailed in a real battle with the Walbro carb on mine to stop it surging. After a thorough going over, new belts, a replacement fuel pump, some blade balancing, and some sheetmetal work I finally have it looking and running quite well. Your videos on this model helped me out a lot in my decision to look for one to clear my property. Thanks
You're welcome! I did research on brush mowers before I bought this one. These are relatively cheap for how well they work. Best bang for your buck. There are better brush mowers out there, but they aren't cheap.
I love how the upper bearing is sealed on the inside and out so that when you grease the bearings through the factory fittings, you aren’t really greasing the bearing.
From experience, if you hit a lot of small rocks with your DR of that design the top bearing will loosen (deform) and allow the shaft to strike the cover plate until it actually wears a hole in your cover plate. Until they sold the company DR used to offer complete replacement shaft assemblies with the bearings pre-installed as it was a common issue. I miss the old DR company and wish the current owners still supported this model.
I just bought a Bachtold wipper mower yesterday. Mine is a 1960s model, with the blade sticking past the front of the deck. Nice to know that its a left hand nut on the spindle. I need to buy a new blade for mine still, but sadly since i have the old style, my blade is about $160.
I’ve had enough of those mowers, opened up a gate, turned around, and that thing was facing me, blade up! 1963! I’ll stay with my JD Z540M, with Kavli mower blades! Cuts weeds & brush 6 feet tall, no trouble, and chops it up!
What size pipe were you using on the press? Also, both wheels should be driving if everything is in spec, yes? We have one on the family farm that I seem to remember both wheels driving, but when I used it last 8 years ago only one wheel was driving, I just bought an identical one with the same issue. Thanks!
At 4:05 you are removing a "sleeve" with 3 allen type retaining screws. My mower does not have this and the D.R. parts diagram does not show that part. Does anyone know if this was a factory or custom made part. It seems to me it would reduce wirey grass from wrapping tight between blade and bearing and causing grease loss/dirt entering bearing..I have found myself pausing mowing to remove that grass on mine.
Called dr the patent was sold to a Company out of Ohio..called Stollers dr supplier now for that mower...they informed me lower bearing is a sealed 1 instead of greasable,,so where did you actually get the lower bearing dr no longer supplies parts for the bachtol thx...I have the exact 1 you have
@@billyb351 june 2022: I checked with DR a few days ago . DR does not supply the bearings , nor the spindle.They referred me to Stoller. I called Stoller to ask about replacement spindle . They said they could get (fabricate , I suspect) in 7-10 days.If you want to go with original lower ( open ball type with apparently a lower grease containment "washer") bearings, i believe a bearing supplier could hook you up.I'm going to use sealed bearing, both choices each have drawbacks.
@@johnmiller2403 Yeah, as far as I know nobody sells the spindle anymore. Three years ago I saw one on Ebay for over $100 I think when I made the video. It is possible to make the spindle on a metal lathe. You'd need a big reverse threaded die to cut the threads on either end. The bearings if I recall were a standard bearing size. I don't recall what the sizes are though. In 2019, DR was still able to provide the bearings. I'm sure you could check the markings on the originals and try and find a generic bearing. If you get 2 sealed bearings, you can try popping the dust shield out of one of them if you want to pump grease into the spindle area. I believe those black plastic dust shields can be removed.
New sub here. Just picked up one of these mowers. Had to replace a fuel line. Runs well. Did you mention you have a parts list? I'm missing the belt guard for the deck. Do you have that part number? Thanks!
Hi Dan, thanks for subscribing! Yes, I have that part number for the pulley cover with the brake shoe on it. It is W892 (5" pulley cover). I was actually looking at one of these that was missing the pulley cover. I was not able to find a replacement. That machine ended up getting bought before I could take a look at it and I ended up with this one. It seems most of the unique parts to this machine are not available anymore. The bearings are rather standard according to the guy at DR, so that's why they can still source them. He warned me not to destroy the spindle shaft because that's not available either. However, it looks like there are some reproduction ones people have fabricated on Ebay. Good luck!
@@dans_Learning_Curve Yeah, I can definitely do that. When I was looking, I saw at least 2 of these machines that were missing that pulley cover so I'll take some pictures and get some dimensions. Might put it up as a video as it would probably help out a few people.
Another indicator on mine anyway was the blade shaft jumped up and down and chewed a hole through the cover plate. Of course by then, many of the rocks that hid in the field had become a lot shorter. :)
A good bearing supply can match up yours. Or if you have a micrometer and know how to use it you could buy bearing with it's dimensions. I'll be replacing mine in the next week and can post sizes then
Great video. The part numbers in my Bachtold manual for the two bearings are W628 and W628A. Are these something that I can find/match up at an automotive store or can my local mower repair shop be able to figure out replacements? Does DR have these bearings as I cannot seem to find them in their parts? I don't have a press, so I may have to have someone fix this for me. I have had mine since new in 1997. Bearings seem to be less than smooth at this point.
Yeah, I called DR and they had the bearings. I didn't try to find and match them myself, but I'm almost certain you could. There's nothing special about them. In fact, I seem to recall the guy at DR saying the same thing. That's why they can still provide replacements for them.
Wow Its looks older than 94. LOL Isn't if fun when you start reassembly !!! That is me.. I do it right because i do it twice. FUNNY It is weird machine in that the engine is horizontal and the drive pulley is vertical.
Yeah, the belt is twisted 90 degrees. It tends to wear faster and funnier because of that. It is a fairly heavy duty belt though. Everything on this brush mower seems to be fairly heavy duty. It does a good job. No frills and a motor that seems to not be phased by anything.
I have the exact mower I called dr they informed me the patient was sold to a company out of Ohio called stollers...called got replacement bearings for spindle but they no longer sell the greasable lower, it a sealed bearing now so where did that lower bearing come from thx...
Spindle bearings (both) are 20mm i.d. x 47mm o,d. x 14 mm Height . I bought Koyo 6204 2RS Koyo. they are sealed bearings
Thanks Bill! When I bought mine I was afraid that due to its age it probably had a limited life left. Thanks to your videos it looks like I can expect many years out of it.
Great video! Just bought one of these mowers. Appreciate your showing the spindle assembly, bearing replacement, and informing us that DR still has at least some bearings for these. I prevailed in a real battle with the Walbro carb on mine to stop it surging. After a thorough going over, new belts, a replacement fuel pump, some blade balancing, and some sheetmetal work I finally have it looking and running quite well. Your videos on this model helped me out a lot in my decision to look for one to clear my property. Thanks
You're welcome! I did research on brush mowers before I bought this one. These are relatively cheap for how well they work. Best bang for your buck. There are better brush mowers out there, but they aren't cheap.
Nice use of shop press. Thanks for posting.
I love how the upper bearing is sealed on the inside and out so that when you grease the bearings through the factory fittings, you aren’t really greasing the bearing.
From experience, if you hit a lot of small rocks with your DR of that design the top bearing will loosen (deform) and allow the shaft to strike the cover plate until it actually wears a hole in your cover plate. Until they sold the company DR used to offer complete replacement shaft assemblies with the bearings pre-installed as it was a common issue. I miss the old DR company and wish the current owners still supported this model.
I have two of these machines.they are bullet proof, and easy to repair. The engines are beasts.....
Can you please tell me the model number of this machine I need a new carburetor for it and the model number is worn off of mine
I just bought a Bachtold wipper mower yesterday. Mine is a 1960s model, with the blade sticking past the front of the deck. Nice to know that its a left hand nut on the spindle. I need to buy a new blade for mine still, but sadly since i have the old style, my blade is about $160.
Question : the bottom bearing... is that a common bearing? Any input on sourcing parts for this mower?
I’ve had enough of those mowers, opened up a gate, turned around, and that thing was facing me, blade up! 1963! I’ll stay with my JD Z540M, with Kavli mower blades! Cuts weeds & brush 6 feet tall, no trouble, and chops it up!
Love it great video
What size pipe were you using on the press? Also, both wheels should be driving if everything is in spec, yes? We have one on the family farm that I seem to remember both wheels driving, but when I used it last 8 years ago only one wheel was driving, I just bought an identical one with the same issue. Thanks!
Just realized you mentioned it the video. Oops- Thanks again
What size belts does it use?
What is the size of the bearing?
At 4:05 you are removing a "sleeve" with 3 allen type retaining screws. My mower does not have this and the D.R. parts diagram does not show that part. Does anyone know if this was a factory or custom made part. It seems to me it would reduce wirey grass from wrapping tight between blade and bearing and causing grease loss/dirt entering bearing..I have found myself pausing mowing to remove that grass on mine.
Called dr the patent was sold to a Company out of Ohio..called Stollers dr supplier now for that mower...they informed me lower bearing is a sealed 1 instead of greasable,,so where did you actually get the lower bearing dr no longer supplies parts for the bachtol thx...I have the exact 1 you have
Those bearings were supplied by DR. I bought them a while back though. The original lower bearing was not sealed.
@@billyb351 june 2022: I checked with DR a few days ago . DR does not supply the bearings , nor the spindle.They referred me to Stoller. I called Stoller to ask about replacement spindle . They said they could get (fabricate , I suspect) in 7-10 days.If you want to go with original lower ( open ball type with apparently a lower grease containment "washer") bearings, i believe a bearing supplier could hook you up.I'm going to use sealed bearing, both choices each have drawbacks.
@@johnmiller2403 Yeah, as far as I know nobody sells the spindle anymore. Three years ago I saw one on Ebay for over $100 I think when I made the video. It is possible to make the spindle on a metal lathe. You'd need a big reverse threaded die to cut the threads on either end. The bearings if I recall were a standard bearing size. I don't recall what the sizes are though. In 2019, DR was still able to provide the bearings. I'm sure you could check the markings on the originals and try and find a generic bearing. If you get 2 sealed bearings, you can try popping the dust shield out of one of them if you want to pump grease into the spindle area. I believe those black plastic dust shields can be removed.
New sub here.
Just picked up one of these mowers. Had to replace a fuel line. Runs well.
Did you mention you have a parts list? I'm missing the belt guard for the deck. Do you have that part number?
Thanks!
Hi Dan, thanks for subscribing! Yes, I have that part number for the pulley cover with the brake shoe on it. It is W892 (5" pulley cover). I was actually looking at one of these that was missing the pulley cover. I was not able to find a replacement. That machine ended up getting bought before I could take a look at it and I ended up with this one. It seems most of the unique parts to this machine are not available anymore. The bearings are rather standard according to the guy at DR, so that's why they can still source them. He warned me not to destroy the spindle shaft because that's not available either. However, it looks like there are some reproduction ones people have fabricated on Ebay. Good luck!
Would you be willing to take a few dimensions and pictures for me? I have a hobby machine shop and could build one.
@@dans_Learning_Curve Yeah, I can definitely do that. When I was looking, I saw at least 2 of these machines that were missing that pulley cover so I'll take some pictures and get some dimensions. Might put it up as a video as it would probably help out a few people.
@@billyb351 Did you ever get around to doing this? I am looking at one without the cover now.
Thanks for this video!
How did you know your bearings were bad on the blade?
When I used it, the spindle housing got very hot and then the spindle/blade seized up. The belt smoking was the outward sign that made me investigate.
Another indicator on mine anyway was the blade shaft jumped up and down and chewed a hole through the cover plate. Of course by then, many of the rocks that hid in the field had become a lot shorter. :)
Any idea what size the bearings are?
A good bearing supply can match up yours. Or if you have a micrometer and know how to use it you could buy bearing with it's dimensions. I'll be replacing mine in the next week and can post sizes then
Those trees were a bit much, Even for that thing. But i would love to have one.
Great video. The part numbers in my Bachtold manual for the two bearings are W628 and W628A. Are these something that I can find/match up at an automotive store or can my local mower repair shop be able to figure out replacements? Does DR have these bearings as I cannot seem to find them in their parts? I don't have a press, so I may have to have someone fix this for me. I have had mine since new in 1997. Bearings seem to be less than smooth at this point.
Yeah, I called DR and they had the bearings. I didn't try to find and match them myself, but I'm almost certain you could. There's nothing special about them. In fact, I seem to recall the guy at DR saying the same thing. That's why they can still provide replacements for them.
@@billyb351 Thanks so much!
Can you show me how to do this with a hammer? 😂
Wow Its looks older than 94. LOL Isn't if fun when you start reassembly !!! That is me.. I do it right because i do it twice. FUNNY It is weird machine in that the engine is horizontal and the drive pulley is vertical.
Yeah, the belt is twisted 90 degrees. It tends to wear faster and funnier because of that. It is a fairly heavy duty belt though. Everything on this brush mower seems to be fairly heavy duty. It does a good job. No frills and a motor that seems to not be phased by anything.
I love it as you would know.
I have the exact mower I called dr they informed me the patient was sold to a company out of Ohio called stollers...called got replacement bearings for spindle but they no longer sell the greasable lower, it a sealed bearing now so where did that lower bearing come from thx...