Message Board - Machinery: Rotary blade grinders
18 May 2007 by Brian Alexander
What is your experience with sharpeners for rotary blades? We maintain a fleet of mowers for a large school district and are looking for something automatic - such as the Bernhard Rotamaster or the Foley 460. Opinions? Other suggestions? Appreciate it!
18 May 2007 by Sumomosr
Brian,
These two are quite different machines achieving the same end result.
It makes sense, if you are maintaining a larger fleet of rotary cutters, to keep to the manufacturers recommendations of re-sharpening every 10 hours or so.
The Foley has a much larger 'footprint' (owing to its full enclosure) so if space is at a premuim then the Bernhards machine will be more suitable.
Set up is fast on both of them.
The Foley runs dual cupped grinding wheels whereas the B&Co machine has a single standard wheel. These will result in slightly different profiles on the blade edge. No big issue however.
Dual wheels and automatic in-feed means the Foley will probably be more expenive to buy, plus it is imported from USA so there may be a price differential.
Either way the mechanised sharpening of rotary blades gives good consistancy and enables you to maintain manufacturers specifications on angles and balance easily and quickly.
Both manufacturers will bring demo units to your workshop for you to trial.
Congratulations for looking to improve the quality of the output from your workshop.
GOGGA
18 May 2007 by Brian Alexander
As I am in the U.S. (Oregon), the Rota Master would be the import, but you're correct that the price of the Foley is still three times more! Any other ideas besides these two machines?
18 May 2007 by Sumomosr Last edited 18 May 2007
Sorry you didn't have your flag hoisted earlier so I thought you were a Pom.!!
Since you're in the States look at the Neary machine - a subsidiary company of Foley:
http://www.nearytec.com/products/other/model440/model_440_main.htm
Model 440 is a basic (low cost) alternative.
Distributors in WA and CA.
There is also SIP (www.sipgrinder.com) but I don't recall them making a rotary blade grinder - that we can see in UK anyway.
GOGGA
19 May 2007 by sipho
Sip grinder Sounds like someone been stealing ideas ??
cheers
Sipho
Gogga International Affairs Officer
19 May 2007 by RWP
What sort of price do these machines come in at roughly?
We are having a new Hort machine workshop in a couple of years time, and I would be interested to know.
I am just about to try to persuade them to buy a Reel grinding unit, and would like one of these too as it would be better than the angle grinder we use now, but I get the feeling I will be asked to choose.
19 May 2007 by Steve63
Is that right? Every 10 hours. Crumbs if I sent our XR721 into the council mechanics every 10 hours we would probably never finish a single cut on our semi rough. That would be twice a week, the Foreman mechanic would say "park it over there, we'll try and look at it next Tuesday"
Regards
Steve
Don't talk to me about Contractors Wonka, I am one myself......
20 May 2007 by Sumomosr
Steve:
10 hrs is approx what it takes for a rotary blade to lose its edge for efficient cutting.
You should have a replacment set of blades (or two) for swapping purposes.
No need to park the machine - just swap the blades. - Keep cutting.
GOGGA
20 May 2007 by Sumomosr
RWP:
If you have to choose, choose a reel and bedknife grinder combo.
The Rotamaster 4000 lists at about £3,150 +Vat plus p&p.
GOGGA
20 May 2007 by Steve63
I am embarressed, that a) I can't spell embarressed and b) that I am so ignorant of rotary blade maintenance!
No matter how many sets of blades that we could have, as a mere council grass cutter, I am not allowed to carry out basic mechanical tasks, although the mechanics will not come and set my mower up to cut grass!
The Central Vehicle Maintenance Unit (CVMU) would still take until a week Tuesday to LOOK at the machine and then think that I was taking the P.
Welcome to the frustrating world of the council
p.s. we cheat a bit but it is a disiplinary offence if caught jump starting a van or changing a bearing. Sheesh
Regards
Steve
Don't talk to me about Contractors Wonka, I am one myself......
21 May 2007 by Brian Alexander
Man, Steve, maybe you should be bribing your mechanics better. Our guys enjoy sweets a lot!
Seriously, sharp blades = healthy grass, and balanced blades = less mower maintenance, so if you can get someone in authority to listen, maybe you could make a case for an "inexpensive" sharpener and balancer (such as the Magna-Matic 8000 or 9000 + 1000 balancer) that would reduce mechanic work time over angle grinding by hand.
My boss wants an AUTOMATIC grinder/sharpener to reduce injury possibilities both immediate (sparks, etc) and long-term (carpal tunnel). Looks like my only options are the Rotamaster 4000 ($5245) or the Foley 460 (just under $15,000)
Sipho, not familiar with reel grinders - who is SIP stealing from?
21 May 2007 by RWP
RWP:
If you have to choose, choose a reel and bedknife grinder combo.
The Rotamaster 4000 lists at about £3,150 +Vat plus p&p.
Thanks for that, I was fairly sure I would go for that as when we get the new campus and my site redeveloped there will be at least 2 triples, as well as walk behinds.
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