2007 Rayco c87fm problem

chasepollard · Jun 15, 2014

I have a land clearing business in southern Oklahoma and have been clearing a big job for the last month. Yesterday, I completed some maintenance that included changing the hydraulic filters, fuel filter and cleaning all the air filters.

Long story short, the machine ran like new for about 3 hours...then my hand backed over an exposed stump and something happened causing a sever vibration. I worked on the head for about an hour and couldn't find anything wrong with the weights on the mulching head or the teeth. I also tried creating some "play" in the mulching head and it was still in tact and very sturdy...so I don't think it is involving the mechanics in that area.

One thing I didn't think about was the hydraulic filters...they might have created a few air bubbles? I engaged the head and could feel a pulse of air being caught at the end of a line going into the gear box. I tried to bleed with the valve on the bottom of the reservoir, but nothing bleed off but fluid and the head still vibrated wildly.

The head is vibrating at full RPM so hard it would shake a man out of the cab if he weren't buckled in. I am in extreme need of some help, as this is my first forestry machine and my first major problem with it.

Thanks!

Texas jerry · Jun 15, 2014

I would double check the mulching head. On smaller machines even having one tooth with damaged carbide or missing will cause vibration to start. I had an old tush Hogg mulcher head when I first started and a small piece of the actual drum along with a tooth holder tore off. I thought the machine was gonna flip over the vibration was so bad. As far as the hydraluic's any air should work it self out of the system.

chasepollard · Jun 15, 2014

Thanks for the reply! I am also having trouble finding online parts for this machine...and quick ideas?

Are there any other problems that you could think of that might be a problem? I figured that the air would work itself out.

Texas jerry · Jun 15, 2014

Make sure there is no play up and down in the mulching drum itself. That could be a indication the bearings are going out. Texas timber jack or lynn Hendrix machinery are knowledgable and have most parts you might need. How many hours are on head and machine?

chasepollard · Jun 15, 2014

I checked that, and it had no play up and down. The machine has a tad over 1400 hours, not sure on the head? I remember noticing that it looked like a few of the teeth had been chipped/broken...but were still in place.

redprospector · Jun 16, 2014

I'm not familiar with the head used on a C-87, but I'd bet money that the drum is out of balance. It could be a bearing, but if your hand ran it with a little vibration, that could have knocked the bearing out.
If all the tools, and holders are intact, and you've got a welder, you could tack some weight on the drum and see if the vibration gets better or worse. If it gets worse, try the weight on the opposite side, on the opposite end. I've spent a good 8 hours getting my head running smooth before. There are also places you can take it to have it balanced, but I haven't found one in my area.

ROWmulcher · Jun 16, 2014

Make sure you did not lose a whole tooth mount. If it's shaking that bad it may be a mount. I have lost several over the years.

chasepollard · Jun 16, 2014

After looking at it, I have lost an entire tooth...and it looks like it was run a little bit without it. The mount is worn a little bit, with no tooth. I appreciate you folks jumping in here and responding to my plea for help. I am going to order some teeth, which I had been planning to anyway for backups.

Thanks again!

tonyoz · Jun 16, 2014

If the hit was severe it could have bent the rotor shafts which will cause the same kind of vibration. The best way to check for it is with a dial indicator. If it is bent you will never be able to balance it out and it will have to be put in a lathe to be straightened. Don't ask how I know.