Cushman (Ryan) Lawnaire IV

[DiyDave]

Just picked one up, and it has the bearings falling out of the reel shaft. Anyone know the part # of the bearings, by any chance? I don't have a book for it. Thanks!

[ericg]

Here is the link to the owner/parts manual

http://www.onestoprent.com/pdf/manual/1.pdf

[DiyDave]

Thanks for the effort, but this thing is a little older than that manual, bearings are different, if I remember correctly. I guess I'll take it apart, and call the local dealer here.

[ericg]

I did not know how old your unit was. Check out this previous post where I posted the older parts diagram.

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=204710

[pugs]

Go here: http://ryanturf.com/ryan-parts.asp

Where it says: To browse our online parts listing, click here.

Click there.

Put in your model number and you should be able to look at breakdowns of your machine.

Yours probably has the small needle bearings and actually has grease fittings on the tine and drum shafts at each end....that havent been greased in a long time. Hopefully its just bearings. The last few I have fixed have needed more than that, and the parts for the older units get pricey.

[DiyDave]

This thing probably was a rental unit, in a previous life. I took it apart, it has a 7/16 bolt that transfixes the entire length of the reel, has the needle bearings. I need the drum drive sprocket, too, as it is wore away, on one side, from the sprocket coming loose, or a combination of wear, and lack of P.M. I ordered both bearings, and bushings, for the reel shaft, I have a feeling that there may have been some I.P. engineering done to this machine. If worse comes to worse, I will make my own bushings, I've done it before, just eats up time, on the lathe, that I could be doing something else, that makes $. Eric, Pugs, thanks for your efforts. Problem with used machines, is you never know who has bodged it up, before you get it.

[ericg]

DIY, check out this You Tube video. It deals with your issue exactly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFIoAPhiXYs

[DiyDave]

or what used to be G. L. Cornell, over in Gaithersburg is good! Said it would be a week, to get the parts to me, I said don't worry, I ain't in a hurry! Parts arrived Today, ordered them Monday! Now that's what I call service!

[DiyDave]

Just got a chance to put it all back together, today. Man, what a job, getting the old bearings out. Outer cage was like chrome plated air, it was so thin. Tried beating out with a piece of 1/2" round stock, no go. Remembered I had a bushing cutter that was home-made, bought it in a box lot, years ago, dropped it in the punch drawer of the toolbox. I had to re-grind the edge, about 6 or 8 times, to cut both bearing cages, till they started to move inward. THen I was able to drift them out. That took most of the morning. End play was excessive, so I took a 2' woodworker's clamp, and got the ends of the reel axle to stick out, and added a 5/8" machine bushing, about 3/32" thick, to each side. greased her up, and tried her out today. Uses oil, (may be overfilled) and needs near constant choke and throttle adjustment. I guess a carb kit is in order, soon! Thanks to all who posted!