Front deck mower gear box leaking

Agvg · Jun 16, 2018

If they have locked up once before they are done, no bearing can take such punishment and survive.

JOHNTHOMAS · Jun 17, 2018

Agvg said:
If they have locked up once before they are done, no bearing can take such punishment and survive.

Mowed, parked, turned off mower and went inside for a couple weeks. Came bakc out, started machine and tried engaging mower and it wouldn't. Checked fluid and filled with a very small amount of fluid. Engaged mower and it worked fine/perfect/as always and after about 10 minutes I smelled burning odor (Fluid on belt?) and noticed fluid on top of deck, turned off mower and checked fluid and then noticed gear box mounting bolts gone. Ordered bolts, got them, installed them, filled with gear oil and it worked but gear oil leaked out again. Stopped and later added 00 grease and now works but the gear oil in recesses has came out and maybe some grease and it mows. Wonder how it is working now and has some gear oil on belt?

628pm · Jun 17, 2018

Is it possible if the case was out of fluid or very low the case then got very hot which could cause a hairline crack in the case? Only a guess.

aczlan · Jun 17, 2018

arto98607 said:
The 90 degree gearbox in my mower was made by Superior Gearbox Company and is pretty simple easy to overhaul design.

I am little skeptical of switching to 00 grease - the gears inside are the expensive parts. But hey, grease is better than nothing if that's the alternative.
View attachment 558591

If the seals are going bad, but the gears and bearings are still passable, 00 grease should work, it is classed as a "flowable" grease and will keep flowing down and into the gears as the gears churn it up.

Aaron Z

JOHNTHOMAS · Jun 18, 2018

628pm said:
Is it possible if the case was out of fluid or very low the case then got very hot which could cause a hairline crack in the case? Only a guess.

I say possible but I believe it's the gasket at the bottom of the gear box that is bad and needs replaced. There are two bolts on each side of the gear box and all 4 of them were missing, letting the gearbox move about which I believe damaged the gasket. The gear oil comes out of the gear box pretty quick now that the 4 bolts have been installed. I'll try and dry all gear oil off top of deck and make sure gear box has enough 00 grease and try running it for more time and see what happens. It operated fine with the 00 grease for over 30 minutes but there were noises and some squealing which I believe was the belt. Time will tell. I usually hear different sounds when I think some thing isn't correct, just the way my mind works.:laughing:

Gator6x4 · Jun 19, 2018

A lot of people use Farm Oyl Fluid Gear Grease in gear boxes on rotary cutters. Pricey.

Amazon.com: Farm Oyl, Fluid Gear Grease, 1 Quart: Garden & Outdoor

JOHNTHOMAS · Jun 20, 2018

As I've pondered my issue.....I believe the gear box "locked up" due to misalignment of the gear box due to the 4 bolts holding the gear box to the deck coming out. When I added a small amount of gear oil and replaced the 4 bolts I believe the gear box was then back in alignment which allowed the gears to start turning. I believe the gasket where the gear box attaches to the deck was damaged during this "loose gear box" period. Just my :2cents: I am comfortable using 00 grease instead of gear oil as long as it will stay in the gear box which I'll find out with continued use and regular checking. ...........All you F owners check those 4 bolts holding your gear box to the deck.:dance1:
I'm not a big Tractor Supply fan but they sell the same 00 grease for $4.99 as Amazon asks about $15 for and I am a Amazon fan.

Ford850 · Jun 20, 2018

JOHNTHOMAS said:
As I've pondered my issue.....I believe the gear box "locked up" due to misalignment of the gear box due to the 4 bolts holding the gear box to the deck coming out. When I added a small amount of gear oil and replaced the 4 bolts I believe the gear box was then back in alignment which allowed the gears to start turning. I believe the gasket where the gear box attaches to the deck was damaged during this "loose gear box" period. Just my :2cents: I am comfortable using 00 grease instead of gear oil as long as it will stay in the gear box which I'll find out with continued use and regular checking. ...........All you F owners check those 4 bolts holding your gear box to the deck.:dance1:
I'm not a big Tractor Supply fan but they sell the same 00 grease for $4.99 as Amazon asks about $15 for and I am a Amazon fan.

I agree with your 2 cents. That's the most likely explanation in my opinion, and I sure wouldn't be concerned with using 00 grease.

JOHNTHOMAS · Aug 7, 2018

Grandson had to suspend mowing a couple of days ago. The mower was making bad noises and the gear box was smoking. The gear box was super hot to the touch. Taking deck to Barlows today and hoping just bearings and seals an not damaged gears. Cost estimates for bearings and seals isn't cheap and rebuild gear box is even less cheap and a new gear box is almost heart stopping. I'll report the results after I find out and pay the bill.

:shocked::confused3:
I take chances sometimes to save a few/lots of bucks and effort/time and sometimes it bites me in the butt but mostly it pays off but this time it looks like butt biting and biting and biting time.:drink: