[Browser]

I've recently acquired one which needed a (now fitted) new recoil spring. I've changed the spark plugs well since the original from the factory was still fitted and will oil the air filter soon.
When I test ran it after replacing the spring I noticed a horrid dry-bearing noise which turned out to be the drive belt-tensioner, which is controlled by the hand lever, being a severe rattle-fit on it's shaft. Before I go mad and make a brass bush for it is it meant to be a loose fit or are they supposed to have a bearing in between the shaft and pulley?
Can anyone tell me how to get the larger driven pulley off the machine please? I'd like to take it off as the aforementioned tensioner pulleys' shaft is badly worn and I'd like to remake it so the pully runs as smoothly as possible.
Thanks
Mark

[Gwiz]

I think that the tensioner jockey wheel would have most certainly had a bearing of some sort, maybe even a roller bearing as it has quite a bit of force on it from the belt, but then again, maybe not. I'm sure one of our owners will let you know.
as for the pulley, I think it's keyed onto the crankshaft, and stays in place because of grub screws. You might find that draining all the oil and petrol out of the engine, and putting the machine on it's side so that the pulley is pointing upwards, soaking the crankshaft in penatrating oil for a few days might help things along. if not, it could be time to get out the oxy-acetelene to warm it up to free it.....werks for me.

[dorimower]

Hello,
   I think the ref is to large pulley removal (pressed steel)..the driven one...rather than the engine one...to access the pivot of the jockey pulley arm situated behind.??..if my tired mind recalls correct.??

I seem to recall also that the jockey pulley arm was just shaped from a piece of pressed steel.??..

Sadly it is too long ago for me to remember just how it all fitted..and thus not best placed to offer much advice

I seem to think there may have been 2 versions of DM??and then also the Westwood version with use of Suffolk engine in lieu of B&S.

 I seem to remember ordering an arm up once and it was subtly different to the one fitted....

I also recall that the belt cover also acted in lieu of any belt guides...

We used to draw Flymo spares from very long time agent RH Crawford www.rhcrawford.com

...that seems to have exhausted my knowledge this morning. :?  

"Dori"

[Gwiz]

well, you've got a better memory than me for this machine.
sadly, i only worked on one or two of them, and that WAS a very long time ago now!

[Browser]

Correct Dori, I was referring to the driven pully rather than the driver. I have hatched a plan to effect a repair, involving leaving everything in situ, cutting the tensioner pully spindle/shaft off flush with the arm, drilling and tapping a thread and using a shoulder bolt instead to attach the pulley with a suitable bearing.
This is, however, salutory advice to anyone contemplating buying a used rotavator, check everything works or is in working order before purchase, even if you have to take a few covers off!

[Browser]

Well, I carried out the fix as I described in my last post and it worked perfectly :shock:
I got to try the DM on a small patch of garden being re-seeded with grass after having bark chippings on it as it was under our kids climbing frame, which has now moved down the garden. I topped off the oil and sharpened/straightened the tines and it coped brilliantly with turning the soild over.
I've just got to get a new drive belt as I think the one on it is the original and she'll be ready for years more service yet!

[cray0752]

i always take my flymo dm to a specialist as it seems to be hard for me to fix anything one it