This is the first Blue Bird Bed Bug report of the season.  Both machines were serviced during our winter maintenance program.  On one machine we needed to replace a clutch cover gasket that failed to the overheating of the clutch oil caused by too small of a clutch for the application. 

On the first rental of the season blade and hub detached from the drive shaft.  The drive shaft hub assembly is one of the weakest links on the machine.  This hub shaft and bearing assembly needs a major strengthening as I referred to on May 26^th of 2013. The Blade Shaft needs to be 1” in diameter with stronger and wider bearing support.  The Blade shaft and hub assembly are sloppy loose right out of the box.  This assembly needs to be a one piece unit or at minimum machined too much tighter tolerances. 

  While Jody Kerr of Blue Bird believes it is too expensive to fix this problem a simple tightening of the tolerances would only require an adjustment on the boring machine that bores the blade hub.  At the Rental Show I passed out the address to this Blog to Jody Kerr and some members of her staff.  

One of the issues is the two small set screws that hold the hub to the blade.  The set screw wrench will break before the desired torque is reached.  I have come up with a solution to try to solve the problem with blades and hubs flying off.  I replaced the set screws with grade 8 bolts.  I torqued the bolts until the heads break off.  

Husqvarna Blue Bird Beg Bug Blade Failure 10 2013

There has been 2 rentals since the last blade failure on this machine. On return our post rental inspection reviled one broken Tooth and one cracked tooth. It was evident that the customer continued to operate the Machine with an out of balance blade.

Other issues found was one broken bolt and one loose bolt on the inside bearing support. Set Screws on the Blade Hub, Both Bearings and the driven Sprocket were loose or missing. Also missing was the bolt that holds the blade shaft onto the outside bearing. The Vibration also destroyed the stamped Tin Idler Sprocket, the damaged idler also destroyed the chain.

Cost of Repair Blade $200.00

Heavy Duty Tractor Supply Idler Sprocket $19.95

Chain and connector Link $8.00

Labor $60.00

Rental Income Gross $176.00

Repair Costs $288.00

Profit Loss - $112.00

1. 

Husqvarna Blue Bird Bed Bug Update.  The Backordered Bed Edger blades still haven’t showed up.  I have 2 machines and only one blade to share between the two Machines.  Husqvarna delivery dates mean nothing they are always missed.  In the past it has taken up to 90 days to receive back ordered blades

Bed Bug update July 17 2013

Bed Bug update July 17 2013
Earlier this week we needed to repair an outside bearing on the rotor shaft.  With the sloppy tolerances bearings loosen up.  We placed an order for more Bed Edger Blades only to learn that they are out of Stock.  Ship date is July 31 however Husqvarna rarely ship’s on time.  I will keep you updated.

Husqvarna Blue Bird Bed Bug Damage report 7 10 2013.

It’s been a blade a month on the Husqvarna Shaper Blade this Season.  Yesterday was the 3rd Rental on a blade that was replaced in June.  One Carbide tip just broke off, by the damage to the remaining stub the tip more then likely was improperly welded and the tip was brittle and snapped the first time it was used.

The damage to the center tooth is very evident.  Fortunately the tip remained on the blade.  When the tips do come off the blade is out of Balance and the Vibration will destroy the outside Bearing Support. There is always a Safety factor when Blades come apart.

Shaper Blade $200.00 labor and documentation $25.00.  Rental Income $255.00.

It cost me more to keep the Bed Bug Maintained is equal to its Gross profit.  Figure in purchasing the Machine, Insurance and other overhead costs the Husqvarna Blue Bird Bed Bug is a looser.  Yet Husqvarna’s Jody Kerr still denies that there is a problem.

The new style Dog Fence blade that was provided by the Blade Manufacture has not been Rented yet.

Husqvarna Blue Bird Bed Bug Damage report 6/19/2013

Husqvarna Blue Bird Damage report 6/19/2013
Yesterday we lost the second blade in the last 4 weeks.  By the almost new condition of the paint and Carbide tips I assume it has been rented no more than 4 times.

The Pictures show 1 carbide tooth completely torn off; a second Tooth has lost two thirds of its support and has bent backwards. A third area of damage is on the backside of the blade.

Once a tooth is torn off the vibration takes its toll on the rest of the machine.  Two of the 3 thumb screws that hold the Safety Cover had vibrated loose, and there was a complete failure of the outboard bearing support.




























The picture without yellow paint was taken to show the almost new condition of the blade. The picture shows a small crack I missed in my first inspection. Further inspection revealed another crack.

Cost of this Failure is a Shaper Blade $200.00 Bearing Support $26.00 2 Thumb Screws $1.50 each and an hour of labor at $65.00.  Total cost of repair $294.00

Last week out of the Blue I received a phone call from the Company the Manufactures Blades for Husqvarna Blue Bird.  They had a new design for the Dog Fence Blade they were sending me to try.

A few years ago I had met with the Company President.  He contends that his hands are tied because they build Blades to Blue Bird Specifications.  Until Bluebird engineers redesigned the Blades he was powerless to make changes on his own.