Fae blew a motor seal

yellowdogsvc · Apr 23, 2015

My FAE 150 blew a motor seal yesterday. Oil started pouring out of the breather cap. No reason why yet. Mulcher has low hours (probably 500 or so) and the case drain on the machine and mulcher are working as they should. That scares me and now I get to guess at what caused the failure. FAE rep told me that it's rare for a seal to go without a case drain issue but here I am.

We got it taken apart and the one seal I need isn't available for 4 weeks from FAE and local sources can get one for a week (maybe). I'm stuck with ordering a $1200 seal kit just to get the one seal out of it that I need.

I've always sung the praises of the FAE mulchers and I've run them for over 10 years but this is the second or third time that parts are back ordered for weeks and months. I had to wait over 3 weeks for a few bolts that I ordered because they weren't available.
Has anyone else had problems getting parts from FAE? What about Fecon? That's my other choice here. My dealer now carries Fecon. I don't want the Bobcat head if I have to buy the extra debris kits (which I mostly have) but the Fecon is the other option. I just don't want to go from one manufacturer to another and have the same problem with parts availability.

Thanks for any info.
By the way, if anyone is interested in a low hour head, in great condition with door, extra teeth, and now with a new output shaft seal, let me know. If I stay with FAE, I'm going to get the 125 model to save on weight and get more power to the ground by reducing the drum width.

I also know where a brand new Rayco c140 is and the dealer is asking $129,900 or thereabouts (whatever his cost is). I don't know if that's a good deal or not but it's a shiny new unit.

tonyoz · Apr 23, 2015

Don't they have a Rexroth motor in them? If it has then the seal should an off the shelf item from your local Rexroth agent or a good hydraulic shop. While the motor is out check the lens plate for any scratches. Just don't let the first answer be the last.
Over here in Oz the FAE mulchers I have seen use the same hyd motor as Fecon, 63cc 45deg bent axis Rexroth.
As for the Rayco

yellowdogsvc · Apr 24, 2015

I have the 110 cc Sauer Danfoss motor I think. I'll know more in a few days. I should have just waited to source one locally but they wouldn't have one in until next week and I needed to get on the service guy's schedule. Now I'll get it back together and it will rain again. After all these years of drought, we needed the rain but it makes working difficult since I'm fixing properties up not just wholesale clearing..can't make a muddy mess.

RDrancher · Apr 24, 2015

Good luck with the repair YD. All the rain we've been having is both a blessing and a curse. I haven't been able to get more than a couple days a week for a month now. It's just too stinking wet.

yellowdogsvc · Apr 24, 2015

Well, I updated the thread but I guess it didn't post.

Got the head back already. The tech was on the ball and got in and got out and was very professional. The whole ordeal set me back about 2k and 3/4 was having to buy an entire seal kit to get the one $20 seal I needed.. That doesn't seem fair but now I have a complete seal kit minus one seal if anyone needs parts!
Tech said everything was clean and no wear on the original seal or my motor shaft or other parts. I try and take care of my tools and hope this is a rare repair.

Will update when I test the head. Bobcat is going to come and verify that there is nothing wrong with my machine before I hook it up. Initial tests showed that the machine is fine.

yellowdogsvc · Apr 24, 2015

Oh, here's a couple of pics of the c100 that is selling at or near cost. I was impressed by the size of this machine compared to a JD 333 ctl.

oldnslo · Apr 25, 2015

Yellowdog,
Is the Danfoss motor a bent axis design? Is it fixed displacement or variable displacement?

In some rare cases using the variable displacement if there is a very sudden pressure change like going from barely working to full pressure due to the head dropping into the ground. This can cause excessive momentary case flows which can damage seals. Very rare occurrence but possible if everyting happens just right.

yellowdogsvc · Apr 27, 2015

I think I goofed on the motor. My book says it's a Rexroth. It's a vt. Maybe it was my trencher that had a Danfoss. Can't remember.

Not sure about a sudden pressure change. Had machine checked out by Bobcat and no issues there. No obstructions in case drain on mulcher. Tech said everything looked good and original seal wasn't chewed up or anything. It was just "out of place" as he put it.

I'd like to talk to someone at FAE about not having the parts available and then having to buy a $1200 seal kit to get the one seal I needed. That doesn't sit well with me. Those parts are not $1200 if sourced separately but the one I needed supposedly wasn't available for 4 weeks from FAE. That's not very good customer service. I've been an FAE owner (2 heads) for 10 years and have only done $5k of repair work but I'm not a full time mulcher and my heads are kept in good condition. Hopefully I won't have any more issues for awhile.

tonyoz · Apr 28, 2015

Mate, if it blows the seal again I may have one in my kit. I could post it and you would have it in 3 days.

browsky · Apr 28, 2015

“If you’re looking for seal kit for 63cc motor you can get one from Fecon for $91.00
or a shaft seal for $71.40 for 107cc. Both are in stock. Please let us know how we can help.”