You can't make this S&*t up...

[OldTrix]

So, after the hydro pump debacle, as shared elsewhere here, I am finally ready to get to hogging the fields around the house. Brush hog gearbox is bone dry. Why? Shaft seal under the stump jumper is kaput. A couple days spent finding and installing the seal.

I start hogging the hill behind the house, and realize I should avoid the half dozen rocks and cover some ground before I manage to break the thing again, so head over the the front field which is smooth. Halfway through, I notice the lifters are making some noise and look down to see the engine oil pressure light. Crap! shut it down and begin investigating. Right side of the engine is covered in oil, right around here the hydro pump is located. What did I mess up?, I'm thinking. Threw some more oil in it and fired it up to see if I could trace the source. Coming out the top of the oil filter. Did I forget to tighten it after the hydro pump incident? No. A one in a million shot with a 2ft long branch that punched the bottom of the filter, and distorted it enough that it blew out the seal ring. Looking at how the filter is situated, I'm amazed this happened.

Look where this thing is tucked in

So, another oil change in the middle of the field, the third in 30 hrs, and all is well again. It didn't run too long without pressure, and I'm relieved that things seem to be running normally now.

I'm beginning to think this tractor is cursed....

 

[EddieWalker]

Branches can do some tricky things. I had a small pine branch work it's way to the side of my engine block and break off the oil sensor for the dashboard gauge. Another time I had a green branch off of a sapling that was flexible and easy to bend, go through the side of the oil pan and puncture it.

Hopefully this is the last time it happens. I think that once the mowing becomes regular, the things that cause problems will go away.

 

[OldTrix]

Here's where the oil trail starts...

 

[ruffdog]

When jammed into a confined space, branches can exert some serious force onto tractor parts.

 

[ptsg]

Sucks that it happened.

That's why I do most of my mowing going backwards if I don't know what's in the field, like when mowing for someone else.

Let that cutter take the hit and get the damage if need be. Much cheaper than tractor parts. In reality and for the most part, it just shears the shear pin.

Even if grenades the gearbox on the cutter, that's a €150 replacement in my neck of the hoods. Blowing a line or a filter under the tractor and dumping all of the transmission oil, that's a €200+ ordeal, plus all the aggravation of not being able to move the tractor and what not.

 

[Hay Dude]

So, after the hydro pump debacle, as shared elsewhere here, I am finally ready to get to hogging the fields around the house. Brush hog gearbox is bone dry. Why? Shaft seal under the stump jumper is kaput. A couple days spent finding and installing the seal.

I start hogging the hill behind the house, and realize I should avoid the half dozen rocks and cover some ground before I manage to break the thing again, so head over the the front field which is smooth. Halfway through, I notice the lifters are making some noise and look down to see the engine oil pressure light. Crap! shut it down and begin investigating. Right side of the engine is covered in oil, right around here the hydro pump is located. What did I mess up?, I'm thinking. Threw some more oil in it and fired it up to see if I could trace the source. Coming out the top of the oil filter. Did I forget to tighten it after the hydro pump incident? No. A one in a million shot with a 2ft long branch that punched the bottom of the filter, and distorted it enough that it blew out the seal ring. Looking at how the filter is situated, I'm amazed this happened.
View attachment 4079951
Look where this thing is tucked in
View attachment 4079952
View attachment 4079953

So, another oil change in the middle of the field, the third in 30 hrs, and all is well again. It didn't run too long without pressure, and I'm relieved that things seem to be running normally now.

I'm beginning to think this tractor is cursed....

I beginning to think “welcome to the world of field mowing”. lol
Everyone thinks its an easy, trouble free way to sit on a tractor seat and make money.
When in reality, it’s just like any other business where unexpected failures happen.

Ask me how I know.

 

[riptides]

Feel for you.

I rolled over a small "log" not too long ago. Thing shot up into the tractor and took the alternator belt right off. Actually wedged really bad in there. Only noticed when the idiot lights on the dash started to come on. No other damage and I limped back to the house with it.

 

[Cycledude]

So, after the hydro pump debacle, as shared elsewhere here, I am finally ready to get to hogging the fields around the house. Brush hog gearbox is bone dry. Why? Shaft seal under the stump jumper is kaput. A couple days spent finding and installing the seal.

I start hogging the hill behind the house, and realize I should avoid the half dozen rocks and cover some ground before I manage to break the thing again, so head over the the front field which is smooth. Halfway through, I notice the lifters are making some noise and look down to see the engine oil pressure light. Crap! shut it down and begin investigating. Right side of the engine is covered in oil, right around here the hydro pump is located. What did I mess up?, I'm thinking. Threw some more oil in it and fired it up to see if I could trace the source. Coming out the top of the oil filter. Did I forget to tighten it after the hydro pump incident? No. A one in a million shot with a 2ft long branch that punched the bottom of the filter, and distorted it enough that it blew out the seal ring. Looking at how the filter is situated, I'm amazed this happened.
View attachment 4079951
Look where this thing is tucked in
View attachment 4079952
View attachment 4079953

So, another oil change in the middle of the field, the third in 30 hrs, and all is well again. It didn't run too long without pressure, and I'm relieved that things seem to be running normally now.

I'm beginning to think this tractor is cursed....

Not at all surprising to me.
Couple years ago while mowing brush I managed to get a stick wedged between the rear tire bead and the rim, I didn’t even notice it until I got home and wanted to wash the mud off the tractor. Fortunately not much fluid had leaked out but it cost nearly $200 to have a tire business come out and remove the stick. I’m just thankful the damage wasn’t a lot more expensive.

 

[JTKub]

That is unfortunate. I guess if there's a bright side, a stick could have removed other part numbers in that area that an oil/filter change wouldn't fix.

 

[OldTrix]

That is unfortunate. I guess if there's a bright side, a stick could have removed other part numbers in that area that an oil/filter change wouldn't fix.

Agreed. I was fearing a lot worse until I could isolate the source, and even more relieved I didn't toast the motor.