Mountfield Princess lawnmower grass stops the blade rotating

[Cisco]

Hi Guys,

I have been given a Princess Mountfield for cutting the grass but I have I am going to go out and buy a bag for collecting the grass for it (not the issue), the person who owned it went abroad and left the machine with me. The main issue I have is when cutting the grass the rotating blade stops every minute or so because grass gets caught between the outer edge of the blade and the circular part of the machine at the base. It is a pain having to continuously remove the grass otherwise it works fine. Anyone else facing this problem?
Is there a solution? With a string held the back flap up while cutting to let the grass escape thinking it maybe a problem with grass collecting but it still collected grass at the blades and stopping the machine.
Thanks guys

Cisco

 

[foxhole]

Should not collect grass , is the blade sharp, may need sharpening, are you cutting wet grass?

 

[Cisco]

Hi foxhole.

The grass is not wet. On the web the images of a mountfield Princess show a bag at the back of the single bladed machine. I had a flymo before and it has a basket to collect the grass so i assume this machine would have one too. Went to B&Q the other day but they had not princess in stock..... maybe the blade need sharpening. Machine had been sitting around for a number of years in a garage. But it does cut it short for a minute then stops the blade rotating with grass collecting at the edge of the blade.

Cisco

 

[1john]

Perhaps you are trying to cut too much grass, try it on the highest setting and give it a once over then drop it down to the prefered height.

 

[digdilem]

Does the motor stop at the same time as the blade, or continue spinning?

Does it have a belt between the motor and the blade?

If it does, it needs replacing as it's worn out.

Alternatively, there may be some kind of clutch involved to prevent motor damage if you stall the blade, and that's worn out.

This might be handy, but you need a year of manufacture; http://www.shouldersofshoreham.co.uk/sos_17Bamp.mvc?p=Mountfield-princess-14-spares

BTW, you might want to check out prices for new mowers rather than sourcing a replacement box. Spares aren't so cheap, whereas new mowers can be.

 

[Burnerman]

Stick a new blade on mate - the edges should be turned up slightly to chuck the grass free. Maybe yours is damaged?
As said, don't expect too much from these machines - they are designed for very light use really.
John

 

[wreckedit]

Because you have a fault machine, allegedly, I would imagine your grass gets quite long before cutting it. So, you have several remedies. 1. Dig it up and lay some gravel. 2. Kill it off and reseed it with a slow growing short variety. 3. I'll not recommend a new mower because they are obviously to technically challenging for you, so get somebody else to do it. 4. If you do want to persevere with the machine you've got then try cutting with half the width of the blade. This reduces the amount of grass being cut and allows more air to flow. You must also clean the machine thoroughly after use. 5. Stick to IT and get a goat.

 

[Cisco]

Now that grass is shorter in length hopefully it should be okay since this was my first cut of the year.

The grass still was getting caught, would have sent an image but was not sure how to attach it to the link. I knew it was a good machine but acquired it so could not complain.

Wreckedit:
I think your tips were just what I was needing. Thinking getting a 'goat' is the best solution possibly, placing gravel all over or reseeding is going to be too costly. Being a 'technician' myself I will have to learn the art how to work out alternative solution of cutting the grass (goat) really helpful appreciate it

Burnerman:
The blade are turned up slightly at the edges I think now that the grass is shorter than when I started hopefully it will be okay from now on

Digdilem:
I can hear the motor trying to go without the blades turning as the blade stops spinning with the grass being caught in it. I assume the belt is fine as soon as I remove the grass the blade rotates.

Thanks for all your help guys

 

[Burnerman]

As far as I know, the blade is a direct fit onto the end of the motor shaft on these.....
John

 

[Nige F]

Hi Guys,

I recon a sharpen is in order

 

[Cisco]

I reckon the blade is fine and does not need sharpened.
Going to have a go next week now that the 'grass is much shorter' and hopefully the grass does not collect at the tilted parts of the blades.

Thanks for all you help guys!
Cisco

 

[pompeyal]

Is the blade the correct diameter for the machine? maybe an incorrect larger diameter blade has been fitted in the past and by doing this has reduced the clearance between the blade tips and the shield. How much gap is there between the blade and shield? On all the mowers I have have there as been at least 15mm.

 

[Cisco]

Pompeyal,

Thanks, I believe that may be the cause of the problem,will check it out when i get home tonight. I think the edge of the blade is too near the shield.

Cheers

Cisco

 

[pompeyal]

You may be able to cut some of the tip off each but will have to balance the blade again, you can do this by getting a snug fitting rod and pass it through the hole in the blade and then sit it over an open level jawed vice, if it falls one way file it down until it finds balance. I use this method when I sharpen my blade and it works a treat.

 

[Cisco]

Thanks Pompeyal.

Thanks for you help, will see what ! can do.

Thanks to everyone you all have been a great help

Cisco