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Ransomes Ajax Cylinder and bottom blade sharpening. Updated.

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JT992 Mon, 02/04/2018

Hi. After a long hiatus I've got back to work on my Ajax Mk5 that I bought last summer. Almost the entire thing is apart ready for a repaint and clean up for this year's cutting..

I haven't got round to taking off the cylinder bearings/housings and wondered if they need to come off before having it sharpened professionally. I presume I can leave the bottom blade attached to the sole plate for sharpening though any advice is welcomed.

 

 

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hillsider Mon, 02/04/2018

Personaly I think you would be wise to remove the cylinder and bottom blade for grinding and you are quite correct in leaving the blade attached to the sole plate.

Removing the cylinder will allow you to examine the condition of the cylinder bearings to check that they are fit for re use and to apply fresh grease to them.

 

JT992 Mon, 02/04/2018

Thanks hillsider. The cylinder is off, now it is just the case of removing the bearing housings. Will a 3 leg puller work or will it likely involve another method? I read that they can be a pain to remove.

What should I be looking for regarding the condition of the bearings?

Thanks again.

wristpin Mon, 02/04/2018

If the non drive end of the shaft is exposed a three leg puller may work but a two leg may be easier. I usually just use a couple of big tyre levers. If there's room you can slip in a washer with a shaft sized gap cut in it to protect the bearing or holder from the levers.

JT992 Sun, 08/04/2018

Thanks wristpin. I'll try the method of using the puller since I have one and see how that goes.

Thanks again.

JT992 Thu, 19/04/2018

Update:

The cylinder bearings came off quite easily with tyre levers and remained within their housings. The puller wouldn't fit. The large roller gear had been an issue but is now off after some heat was applied and careful leverage. After deburring both the rear and front roller shafts Im ready to begin the repaint/restore.

The bottom blade is ready for sharpening as is the cylinder once it's painted.

Thanks again for the advice.