L3130 GST and Bushog SQ600

smittyd3 · Jun 18, 2005

Well, well, well, I was using the tractor today and I hit a small mound and guess what; the shear pin didn't shear but the yoke on the PTO did. I had already sheared a pin a couple of months ago a put a new one in that the dealer supplied when I got the tractor and implements. I saved the original sheared pin from a couple of months ago and it has 8.8 on the head of the bolt and the ones from the dealer have 10.9.

I called the dealership just awhile ago and the u-joint is going to cost me 34.00 and he did not have the yoke with the ball and spring in stock and he is unsure about the price. I should get out between 100 and 200 for both pieces though.

I purchased the tractor and implements in December 2004. I should have checked those dealer supplied shear pins then.

I hope it didn't damage the pto internally.

I'm going to get me the original bushog shear pins for the SQ600, after I get it repaired.

The tractor has about 60 hours on it and the bushog probably 8 hours. Live and learn.

L3010Ken · Jun 18, 2005

I went with a slip clutch on my Brush Hog - when I thought about having to open the tractor up to repair PTO drivetrain, the clutch seemed like a cheap bit of insurance. I can say without hesitation that it was money well spent. I am approaching 500 hours on my tractor and probably 75 hours on the brush hog - no problems with the PTO. Now if I can fix my Brush Hog gearbox I'll be a happy camper.

tcb · Jun 18, 2005

sorry to hear that. i would consider adding a slip clutch as an upgrade, several are on ebay and your dealer has them as well. also, that is a new tractor, should be under warranty, especially since your dealer supplied the last shear pin. i don't think i would take no for an answer. i also think mine and most others would make good on the parts just out of good will. just me thinking.

tim

Rick_Morrell · Jun 19, 2005

Smittyd3:

FYI - a 10.9 bolt is the metric equivalent of a Grade 8 bolt. Since this is what the dealer gave you, I would insist to him that he pay for the repair. If he doesn't know enough to distinguish between a medium and a hard bolt (especially for a shear pin...) then he needs to learn the lesson through his pocketbook. Good thing you saved the old bolt.

Rick

smittyd3 · Jun 19, 2005

Rick, Tim and Ken,

Thank you for the replies.

I'm hoping that the dealer will supply the new parts. I'm going to buy a slip clutch for the mower also.

The dealership is 50 miles from my home. Many times now I wish I had bought from the dealership in Augusta or Waynesboro not just because they are closer, but for the service factor; the Augusta dealership is more knowledgeable about tractors and equipment.

smittyd3 · Jun 21, 2005

I did not have a pleasant time @ the dealership. I had called Bush Hog Corp. in Selma Alabama and the gentleman gave me instruction to tell the salesman @ the dealership to make the shaft "good" and fix it. He also instructed me to tell the salesman @ the dealership to call him (the Bush Hog representative) directly so they could get it cleared up and I could be on my way. Well the salesman did not want to do that. He stated that he had never known Bush Hog to warranty a shaft. I explained about the harder 10.9 bolt vs the 8.8 that came with the mower and he said "8.8 and 10.9 are Bush Hog numbers and not an indictor of bolt strength." To make a long story shorter I called the rep. @ Bush Hog and asked him to call the dealership; he did and now I have my new parts, but not without small lecture on "It's not our procedure to call Bush Hog." (The salesman wanted me to leave the shaft; they would repair it, send the old parts to Bush Hog and let me know if Bush Hog warranted it or if I would have to pay for parts and Labor.")

This is the same place that we spent over 19K in December 2004; now the salesmen hardly know me. The parts men are great though.

I spent over an hour @ the dealership. I hope I don't have to go back.

L3010Ken · Jun 22, 2005

Sounds like that salesman is only thinking of himself - a decidedly lousy perspective if he wants to do well in the area of sales. Never ceases to amaze me that sales people can't figure out that it isn't about them.