Tar River BFM-505, Operator'S Manual

 20

BFM

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505, 506, 507 Finish Mower

Operating Instructions 

Operating Instructions 

Attaching to Tractor 

Attaching PTO Shaft 

Trouble Shooting 

Problem

Possible Cause

Solution

Belt rollover

Damaged belt

Replace with OEM belt.

Foreign material in pulley groove

Inspect all pulley grooves for rust, paint or oth-
er foreign material. Remove debris if present.

Worn pulley groove

Replace with OEM pully.

Damaged belt

Rollover, high shock loads or installation 
damage

Replace with OEM belt.

Belt breakage

High shock loads

Avoid hitting the  ground or large obstructions 
with the mower.

Belt came off pulley

Check pulleys for proper alignment and foreign 
material. Ensure proper belt tension. 

Blade is scraping ground

Mower is too low

Avoid hitting ground and large obstructions 
with the mower. Raise mower to avoid strikes.

Field is too wet

Stop cutting & wait until grass is dry.

Gearbox overheating

Low on lubricant

Fill to proper oil level

Improper type of lubricant

Replace with proper lubricant

Excessive debris build

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up  around gearbox

Remove debris

Gearbox leaking

Damaged oil seal

Replace with OEM seal

Bent shaft

Replace oil seal and shaft with OEM parts

Shaft rough in oil seal area

Replace with OEM shaft or repair shaft

Oil seal installed wrong

Replace with OEM seal

Oil seal not sealing in the housing

Replace with OEM seal or use a sealant on out-
side diameter or seal

Oil level to high

Drain oil to proper level

Hole in gearbox

Replace gearbox

Gasket damaged

Replace gasket

Bolts loose

Tighten bolts

PTO contacts mower front 
frame when raised

Raising mower too high or incorrect adjust-
ment of tractor top link

Adjust top link or tractor lift stops

Gearbox noisy

Worn bearings

Replace bearings

Low oil in gearbox

Check level and add oil

Belt rollover

Damaged belt

Replace with OEM belt

Belt rollover

Foreign object in pulley groove

Inspect all pulley grooves for rust, paint or oth-
er foreign material. Remove debris if present.

Belt rollover

Worn pulley groove

Replace with OEM pully

Mower seems to require 
excessive power

Advancing into grass too rapidly

Reduce forward travel speed

Hitting ground

Raise mower and reset wheels

Worn or dull blades

Sharpen or replace with OEM blades

Tractor not large enough

Use larger horsepower tractor

Grass wet

Allow grass to dry before mowing

Grass too tall and heavy

Slow ground speed of tractor but keep engine 
running at full PTO rpm. Make two passes. 
Raise mower for first pass and lower for next 
pass.

Mower moves from side to 
side when cutting

Loose tractor sway chains or bars, or sway 
blocks improperly installed

Adjust sway, bars, or sway blocks