MX-6 output shaft repair

[farmglide]

HI,
Long time lurker and first time poster.
I broke the output shaft on my 2006 ZMX-6 as I know some of the other members have on here and other forums.
When I heard the quoted cost for parts at the dealer I about had the big one!
I forget right now but it was over $2200 for parts alone as I recall.
I just finished the repair myself and I found a 150HP gear box at DN equipment in Ohio that fits the deck with a little modification. I did have to use an adaptor on the input shaft because the splined shaft is a larger diameter than my drive shaft accepts.
I had to counter bore the stump jumper and open up the center hole to 1-1/16 because the new output shaft has a threaded shaft instead of the tapped hole that the JD unit has. there is also a 75 HP unit available that is a more direct replacment, but I figured a little over kill is not a bad thing in a peice of equipment that gets the hard use a rotary cutter does.
So, if anyone else wants to save $ and end up with a much stronger setup than the JD peice of junk that the MX-6 gear box is, there is hope.

FG

 

[jenkinsph]

So what did the parts cost you to make this work?

I had an MX6 and sold it in like new condition for $1800 last year BEFORE I BROKE THE SHAFT.

 

[farmglide]

Jenkinsph,
I should have put that in my post.
The new 150 HP gear box was $870 and shipping was around $100 I think. Bolts and gear oil would bring the total to around $1000 so less than half what JD wanted. Now I have the satisfaction of fixing it myself and not giving JD a dime.
The new 150HP gear box is much heavier built but dropped right onto the deck and the stump jumper is correctly spaced under it. I did have to add two more bolt holes in the deck and had to elongate the existing four as the bolt circle was slightly smaller.

FG

 

[Zebrafive]

150HP does sound like overkill. What was the MX6 box rated at? How much was the 75HP box?

 

[farmglide]

Zebra,
I didn't even ask how much for the 75HP box.
I figured I think the one that came on the cutter was 90HP I think (not sure so don't hold me to that) and replacing it with a &%HP unit didn't sound like a good move.

RG

 

[Red Horse]

Just out of curiosity, I was told the early MX -5's were the only ones with box shaft problems. How old was your MX-6 and what did the casting say country of origin was?

 

[farmglide]

I purchased the rotary cutter with my 4320 tractor as part of a package ( tractor, loader, four way front bucket,448 hoe and MX-6 brushcutter)in 2006.
I'm not sure the year of Mfg.
The casting of the gear box said made in Spain.
The guy i spoke with at D&N relayed that they have sold replacments for the MX-6 and MX-7 also.

FG

 

[Red Horse]

I purchased the rotary cutter with my 4320 tractor as part of a package ( tractor, loader, four way front bucket,448 hoe and MX-6 brushcutter)in 2006.
I'm not sure the year of Mfg.
The casting of the gear box said made in Spain

FG

10-4 "spain" is country of origin on my MX-5

 

[farmglide]

Red,
I purchased the cutter and was given no help buy the JD dealer close to you.
I did buy a Gator from them after the tractor but don't think i would go back again.

FG

 

[Red Horse]

Red,
I purchased the cutter and was given no help buy the JD dealer close to you.
I did buy a Gator from them after the tractor but don't think i would go back again.

FG

FG I hear they are buying the guy out by Spfld too. I guess that is part of the JD "plan" -fewer but bigger dealers. And unfortunately, the bigger they get the more they lose that close customer contact. The ownership might not want that to happen but how do you avoid it? More delegation to "employees"-and sometimes too many employees just don't give a XXXX!