Check your gearbox!

Alan L. · Jun 9, 2003

After 4 years, I decided I was going to change the gear oil in my Rhino 5-foot rotary cutter. I got my pan in place, removed the top plug, then the bottom plug, and.......nothing.

Not a drop of oil in the gearbox. As far as I know it has been working perfectly, not even making any noise.

I squirted a quart in the top and let it run out the bottom, along with some black blotches. Then I put the bottom plug in and put another 24 ounces or so of oil in their, until it ran over. Put the rest of the quart and let it run over, with some more of those black blotches coming out of there.

I don't understand what happened to the oil, as I don't recall there ever being a leak. Also, the dealer told me a needed 2 quarts, but it appears to me it would hold less than one quart.

Was the procedure of putting in the oil from the top OK? Seems like I heard you were supposed to put in the bottom until it runs out the top, but I don't see how you can do that with the one squeeze bottle.

I used Valvaline SAE 80-90 oil, I guess thats OK.

HayDR · Jun 9, 2003

Some Rhino gearboxes have been using EP-000 grease for lubrication. EP-000 looks like thick molasses. I'd just about bet you have one of these and the dealer did not realize the gearbox was not filled with EP-000 grease. You will find in the future that EP-000 will be used more often because less seal problems than Gear Oil. If your gearbox has been using EP-000 grease your owners manual should say so. There is a check plug on the side of most gearboxes and this is the fill level. It is not a good idea to mix the Gear Oil and the EP-000 grease. The Gear oil will work if you fill it up to the proper level. Just make sure that you have a breather plug if gear oil is used.

Alan L. · Jun 9, 2003

This gearbox has a small (maybe 3/8 inch) drain plug on the back side down low, and a larger plug up high - mayb 3/4 inch. There was nothing in there that would run out - not even something as thick as molasses. I guess I need to find a manual somehow.

JohnMiller3 · Jun 9, 2003

Hi Alan,

Most of the newer Servis-Rhino rotary cutters use 80/90 gear oil, older units 80/140 and the HD/tree cutters 80/140...

On their gearboxes... open the lower plug, fill into the top plug (slowly) until it appears/drains from the lower plug... then stop filling. (close plugs)

Servis-Rhino Co. is a class act... I just purchased a Servis Gyro 60 rotary cutter at an auction (dated early 1960's)... most parts are still available... the unit is built like a tank! (about 1300 lbs. for a HD 5' cutter, that's rated for 4" material!)/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

You can order a replacement manual and parts listing for your unit @ 800 221-2855 @ No Charge.

Good luck Alan... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

buck1 · Jun 9, 2003

Alan,

I have a Rhino SE6 and I noticed the same thing. I was getting the implement ready for summer cutting and was going to make sure the gearbox was topped off. I checked (with the side plug) and noticed my pinky when turned down wouldn't touch oil. I went to the dealer and he recommended the 80/90 gear oil. He's sold many of them so I assume he knows what he's talking about. It took one quart to make it overrun out the side hole! I never noticed a leak and my SE6 is always parked on a concrete floor so it should've showed up. The bushhog is only 2 years old and probably has less than 50 hours on it. I just don't know where it went. I checked it when I bought it and it was full. I'm just as confused as you are.... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

JohnMiller3 · Jun 9, 2003

<font color="blue">...going to change the gear oil ... </font>

Hi Alan,

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I just reread this... you are the first person I know that "changes" the gearbox oil in a rotary cutter... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Most of the time, ya just periodically check for presence and top it off... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

BillyP · Jun 9, 2003

I had almost the same problem with a Priefert Litter$aver. I know it's not a cutter but I think it should apply here.

After a couple of month of use, I decided to check the gear oil. I looked it up in the manual and checked where I was suppose to but nothing ran out. The manual says it holds something like 26 oz so I started filling. The best I can remember, I put almost 32 oz in it before it started running out. I thought I had misread but no. So I call Prierfert to make sure I was right. Come to find out, they changed gear boxes and hadn't updated their manuals. I still don't think the dealer had filled the gearbox but no damage (This was 3 years ago). But still, the maker should keep the manuals updated.

Last words: Check those gearboxes, even on something new.

Bird · Jun 9, 2003

John, I thought I used my equipment pretty hard, but I guess not. I checked the oil in the gearboxes once every year or two, but I never had to add any to any of mine. When I bought the Howse 500 rotary cutter, I bought it just the way it came to the dealer; had a assemble everything on top of the deck myself, and the dealer told me to be sure to fill the gearbox because they came without oil. Maybe that's the way some are shipped, but I found mine was full to overflowing just the way I got it. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif The Bush Hog rotary cutter, finish mower, and tiller were all delivered full of oil and stayed that way.

Alan L. · Jun 9, 2003

I emailed Servis-Rhino technical support. Within a couple of hours I got a response that said "Your SE 5 holds 18 ounces of NLGI 000 grease, which is a very thick gear lube. You may substitute 80-90 or even 85-140 weight oils in that gearbox. Your Rhino dealer should have or can order a quart of NLGI 000 for you, part # 00769030. "

I replied, asking if I should drain the 80-90 and put the heavy grease in there and here was the response:

You can change it out completely by removing the box and draining it. This is not needed unless you have contaminated oil. You would not have to drain out the 80-90 that you have put in. If you can come up with some of the NLGI 000, just add as necessary. The 80-90 will blend with the existing 000 grease and work just fine. The only reason to use a heavier oil or the 000 grease is to prevent leaking around the seal. It is not that crucial to the for the cooling of the box. Just keep the lubricant up to the recommended level, this is more important than the weight of oil and try to use the heavier oil when possible.
Rhino Tech Service

Gatorboy · Jun 9, 2003

I've got one of those Heavy-Duty models -- a Rhino FL-15. I installed site glasses on each of my three gearboxes so I can see if I need to add gear oil -- sure saves the time of having to unscrew them and checking the fluid level that way.

Rhino is the only mower I recommend to anyone. The mower that I would advise you stay away from is the Woods (I'm sure I'll upset some with that statement).