Howse rough mower broken at 4 hrs.

Slacker · Sep 25, 2006

PTO shaft universal joint is ruined on the mower end. Shear bolt broke, needle bearings in the universal went everywhere. Metal near the shear bolt hole cracked. No hard impacts have occured with this unit. I've had it since new, and its only got 4 hrs on it. Pics to follow.

Soundguy · Sep 25, 2006

Dang.. what grade shear bolt were you using.. and what mower model was this.

If it was the correct bolt.. i;'d have to say manufacturer defect.. or prior damage.

Post the broken metal.. many times it's easy to see if it was an occlousion, or an old crack .. etc.

Soundguy

Neophyte · Sep 25, 2006

I would venture a guess that it was a Grade 5 shear bolt since this is what Howse calls out in their parts list. I'm still not sure why Howse calls out for a Grade 5 without a slip clutch.

3RRL · Sep 25, 2006

Man, that is weird. I'd have to agree there has to be some occlusions in a faulty casting. I have a 6' Howse and I've hit some rocks and stump/logs that you can't believe. I have one rock in the meadow that has a 1' x 2' crew cut /flat top hairstyle now. I thought for sure I blew it up but nothing...no damage except chips in the blades.

Bird · Sep 26, 2006

Is the gearbox seized or can you still turn both input and output shafts?

Slacker · Sep 26, 2006

Soundguy said:
Dang.. what grade shear bolt were you using.. and what mower model was this.

If it was the correct bolt.. i;'d have to say manufacturer defect.. or prior damage.

Post the broken metal.. many times it's easy to see if it was an occlousion, or an old crack .. etc.

Soundguy

The shearbolt had three marks on the head. I think that is grade 5.

Slacker · Sep 26, 2006

Bird said:
Is the gearbox seized or can you still turn both input and output shafts?

Gearbox seems fine. Just the universal and shear bolt hole is bad. I've sent an email to Howse about it. The bad news is I bought the mower from a farmtrac dealer and received no paperwork with it. I've since read on the Howse website that the warrenty registration must be filled out and sent to Howse. I hope the dealer did this. I also see that a manual costs $7.50! Wish I would have gotten one with the unit. Live and learn...

Soundguy · Sep 26, 2006

Post some pics.. also model #.

soundguy

Neophyte · Sep 26, 2006

Forget about getting any help from Howse, their customer service is non-existent. I would bet good money that those e-mails go right into the "DELETED ITEMS" folder without ever being read. I have never once received a response by sending them an e-mail and I have sent many.

It's ABSOLUTELY ABSURD that they charge for their manuals and they don't make them available online. I ordered two manuals over a month ago over the phone using my credit card and I have yet to receive them or hear anything about it.

Per the Howse parts list for their shear-bolt rotary cutters, I was using a Grade 5 bolt as well. I bent my PTO shaft to the extreme. You can see my post about it here.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/87234-power-take-off-shaft-issue.html

When you say your shear bolt hole is damaged, do you mean on the driveline side or the gearbox side or both?

I have since spent the $70 on a slip clutch. Once you get this resolved, do yourself and your equipment a favor, get a slip clutch before using it again or start using Grade 2 bolts.

Perhaps some of these complaints will one day make their way to someone who actually gives a poop at Howse.

Slacker · Sep 26, 2006

GOOD NEWS! I received a call from Howse today. They are sending me a new universal and yoke, no charge. The man I spoke with was polite and professional. He did say that I'm not the first person who's had this problem. He advised to always engage the pto with the engine at LOW idle and even then, very slowly. (hard to do with independant pto)
He also advised to use a lower grade shear bolt if I will be mowing heavy brush. Last but not least, he said when this shaft wears out- to replace it with the grade 6 type. Rated for 45 hp and above.