Any source for John Deere MX6 cutter parts?

[chevyls6]

This thread has been dormant for a little while, but what ever came of the broken shaft problem? I broke the same dang part on my mx6 after pulling up a rock while I was mowing a field yesterday. The local John Deere parts place tells me that they can order the parts, but they are going to be almost $600 for everything. The shaft alone is $440 because they force you to buy it as a unit with the mating gear. I gave them they serial number and they swear that they can get it. We'll see.
-Aaron

Mine is still out of commission...still debating on what to do. Most of the machine shops told me they wouldn't touch a repair on a bush hog shaft, and the ones that would look at it told me they *might* do it, but couldn't guarantee they would, and if they *did* attempt to fix it they wouldn't stand behind it even for a test fire and I was to not tell anyone they touched it! A local place that deals in fixing farm equipment told me he'd been down this road many times with other MX6 cutters, and his advice was to cut my losses and find another cutter that I could get parts for. He said he'd tried mixing/matching boxes/pans, but JD made the thing so JD specific that nothing works.

I suspect that is as good as it gets. there was a period of time the parts were not available. Look forward to seeing how this works out for you.

For some of us there still aren't! Here's what I found: there have been 2 revisions to the gear box & corresponding pan (stump jumper), so there are 3 different possibilities over the years...and you can't mix/match the gear box & pan from the different designs. So, if you're lucky enough that yours is the newest design, then you can simply by a new box and bolt it up. Otherwise, the only fix is to update your box AND pan to the newer style, and the box $650 and the pan is $650. So, *at best* if I do the retro to the newer parts I'm out $1300 and have a pan that is worthless...

 

[Builder]

Did you find out if this applies to all MX cutters? I have MX-8 with 2 boxes, 2 stump jumper pans, 2 sets of blades. So far no isuues and I have hit some ugly sh*t with it. Can't believe nothing broke!!

 

[aaron14011]

Well, the John Deere dealership lied to me. A week later they called and said that they couldn't get the parts, I'd have to but the stump jumper and the whole gearbox together for $1300 before tax. They then tried to sell me a new unit for $2600, ya that'll happen. But I did find a weld shop that does work on hardened shafts and will weld it for $350, so that's where the shaft is at now. It's supposed to be done next week.

 

[Builder]

Let us know what happens with the hardened shaft after you get it back in.

 

[Ken]

Kind of wish I hadn't read this post . Been bush hogging 30 acres of over growth of brush vines and saw briars. 2" gum sprouts and cedar trees. most brush is about 8' tall. Now beginning to wonder if my MX6 is designed for mowing a golf course.
But will keep looking for the answer if it can be repaired.
ken

 

[Haoleguy]

In a thread last year I mentioned the same shaft problem with my MX5. It was the Spain gearbox as well. i had it go through the expensive and painfully delayed replacement. i will not buy another JD cutter in the future. in fact I have my eye out for a quality used HD cutter as a backup.....Gary

 

[Builder]

In a thread last year I mentioned the same shaft problem with my MX5. It was the Spain gearbox as well. i had it go through the expensive and painfully delayed replacement. i will not buy another JD cutter in the future. in fact I have my eye out for a quality used HD cutter as a backup.....Gary

I'm going through the same process. I will say I have cut through 2" thick x 10 foot tall trees with no issues at all. Mine runs/cuts like a champ. I am looking at Woods/BH/LP cutters because I need another one anyway.

 

[aaron14011]

I got the welded shaft back from the machine shop the other day and I was able to put it back together without too much trouble. The slot cut for the clip was a tiny bit off, but I was able to thin out the shim a little and got it to fit perfect. I checked out the bearings and they looked good so I used the old ones, but I did end up buying all new seals for it which was about $75.

I was a little hesitant at first, but after mowing for a few hours I really tested it out on some buckthorns that were about 3" and some deep scrub. Everything held and so far I've mowed about 15 acres of tall grass (6-7') and 4 year old dogwoods.

The weld job was $380 so with seals it turns out to be about $450. Better than $1300. I'll just be sure to not turn it into a rock chopper any more.

 

[Builder]

That's great to hear. :thumbsup:
I took on another new customer yesterday. About 7 acres of flood plain & horse paddocks. I hate doing overgrowth for the first time, never know whats down there.
Anyways, I got no more than 25' and hit a huge stump. MX-8 jumped up on it and started jumping up & down violently. I quickly threw it in reverse and absolutely no damage at all. Whew.
Based on your experience, I keep thinking mine's a china doll waiting to explode into schrapnel at any time, but it's been nothing short of a bulwark so far.

 

[bilrus61]

Mowing overgrown flood lowlands is very scary. I hit a rubber car tire last week with my MX 6 with the Chinese gearbox. It had washed up and was hidden in the weeds. Talk about a whomp whomp whomp noise! I hit the PTO "off" button and pulled ahead and then kept on mowing. MX 6 took it all in stride......this time. The rubber tire is worse for wear however.