Rotary Blade Assembly Removal
- Thread starter fenneran
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After copious amounts of rust-breaker, nothing budged, so I got out the sawzall and cut the four bolts holding the transfer case. While it seemed like a good idea at the time, I now see that I am no closer to getting everything apart.
My next plan is to get some more metal-cutting blades (the bolts chewed through all 5 new ones I had) and hack through the downshaft.
Once I do that, I can just get a replacement assembly for the stump-jumper and blades. While its all in pieces, I'll go ahead and sand and paint it too. For a couple of hundred bucks, I can have a good setup with mostly new parts that will be maintainable.
Question: Should there be any problem getting the parts I need? (I've got an email in to Howse asking if they think it is one of their machines). Also, do you see any problem in cutting through the downshaft now that I can get to it a little easier?
Thanks again for everyone's input.
My next plan is to get some more metal-cutting blades (the bolts chewed through all 5 new ones I had) and hack through the downshaft.
Once I do that, I can just get a replacement assembly for the stump-jumper and blades. While its all in pieces, I'll go ahead and sand and paint it too. For a couple of hundred bucks, I can have a good setup with mostly new parts that will be maintainable.
Question: Should there be any problem getting the parts I need? (I've got an email in to Howse asking if they think it is one of their machines). Also, do you see any problem in cutting through the downshaft now that I can get to it a little easier?
Thanks again for everyone's input.
Soundguy
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hack thru the downshaft?
as in cut the ouput shaft?
uh.. that's not something i would advise. you will need to rebuild or repalce the box if you do so.
soundguy
as in cut the ouput shaft?
uh.. that's not something i would advise. you will need to rebuild or repalce the box if you do so.
soundguy
twoone
Silver Member
OMG
frank sounds like a nightmare of nightmares before you get started I'ed check the price of a used one that is warranted I think the price of parts that your going to need may not be worth the labor. I can't imagine what you have already gone through the horror of it all and it's not over. I suggest you stop and take a brake and a second look while thinking a new plan of attack. Are the heads still on the mounting bolts? did you use a cheater bar?did you try heat? did you get the correct size sockets or wrench's?I wonder if a nut buster would help? rent a 3/4 impact wrench ?a combination of any of the try's? . Paul
frank sounds like a nightmare of nightmares before you get started I'ed check the price of a used one that is warranted I think the price of parts that your going to need may not be worth the labor. I can't imagine what you have already gone through the horror of it all and it's not over. I suggest you stop and take a brake and a second look while thinking a new plan of attack. Are the heads still on the mounting bolts? did you use a cheater bar?did you try heat? did you get the correct size sockets or wrench's?I wonder if a nut buster would help? rent a 3/4 impact wrench ?a combination of any of the try's? . Paul
Paul,
Yes, yes and yes. All of the above. I got a socket for the blades and used a long bar to try and break them loose. It broke them all right. Just spun round and round.
Looking at the diagram on the Howse site, there may be another nut on the bottom of the stump–jumper, but if so, it has become one with it.
If I have to cut the down–shaft, can't I just break down the housing on the transfer case and replace the shaft?
Waiting to hear from Howse before proceeding any further?
Yes, yes and yes. All of the above. I got a socket for the blades and used a long bar to try and break them loose. It broke them all right. Just spun round and round.
Looking at the diagram on the Howse site, there may be another nut on the bottom of the stump–jumper, but if so, it has become one with it.
If I have to cut the down–shaft, can't I just break down the housing on the transfer case and replace the shaft?
Waiting to hear from Howse before proceeding any further?
twoone
Silver Member
Hi" Frank,
Were you able to find out from Howse what model cutter you have and obtain a parts brake down for it as well???, the ones I told you about that they have posted are for newer ones I wondered if there the same as yours?. Standing by and waiting to find out what you decide to do I don't know where else you can find out any more information except maybe you can contact another Howse owner Have you put in a new post for a Howse cutter owner? . Paul
Were you able to find out from Howse what model cutter you have and obtain a parts brake down for it as well???, the ones I told you about that they have posted are for newer ones I wondered if there the same as yours?. Standing by and waiting to find out what you decide to do I don't know where else you can find out any more information except maybe you can contact another Howse owner Have you put in a new post for a Howse cutter owner? . Paul
twoone
Silver Member
Am with you I just wish there was more I could due. Paul
Just got off the phone with Howse. It is one of their mowers, from the 1991-1997 range. He recommended going with the gearbox and everything since disassembling it to get the shaft out will be a chore and not be that much cheaper to go without it. Plus, I'll have a one-year warranty on the whole thing.
I talked to a buddy last night that has an acetylene cutting torch, so we'll be getting the old parts off this week and painting the deck in anticipation of the new parts arriving.
Will take pictures of the progress and post when completed.
I talked to a buddy last night that has an acetylene cutting torch, so we'll be getting the old parts off this week and painting the deck in anticipation of the new parts arriving.
Will take pictures of the progress and post when completed.
sweep
Gold Member
How much are they charging you for a gear box?? Just curious.
If it is alot I would consider buying a brand new mower.
The quote for the whole thing was about $450 (gearbox, shaft, stump-jumper, blades, bolts, shear pin, etc) I think the gearbox itself was about $180, give or take.
I've not seen a 5' mower around here for that price range. and essentially it will be a new machine (once I clean up the dings and paint it)
I've not seen a 5' mower around here for that price range. and essentially it will be a new machine (once I clean up the dings and paint it)
Soundguy
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Ouch.. around here we have 2 howse dealers. a 5' mower is in the 600$ range.
keep in mind that tail wheel and hub assy is worth 120$.. and if the tail wheel bearing goes out and you don't catch it.. that's what you will need to get.. the entire assy. with flap wheel and all.
hmm... i'd be iffy on putting 450$ into a used mower.
I just bought a used howse mower for 200$ and did a lil welding on it, and oil change and it's a awesome mower....
soundguy
keep in mind that tail wheel and hub assy is worth 120$.. and if the tail wheel bearing goes out and you don't catch it.. that's what you will need to get.. the entire assy. with flap wheel and all.
hmm... i'd be iffy on putting 450$ into a used mower.
I just bought a used howse mower for 200$ and did a lil welding on it, and oil change and it's a awesome mower....
soundguy
Soundguy,
You got me thinking so I called a couple of dealers in the area just to check and see. A new Howse 5' here is $900. A Woods is about $1,200 and a Rhino is about $1,200.
Compared to those prices, $450 sounds a little better But I see what you're saying. I really am at the dividing line between trashing it and fixing it. But with finances tight, fixing it seems to be the better option.
You got me thinking so I called a couple of dealers in the area just to check and see. A new Howse 5' here is $900. A Woods is about $1,200 and a Rhino is about $1,200.
Compared to those prices, $450 sounds a little better
But I see what you're saying. I really am at the dividing line between trashing it and fixing it. But with finances tight, fixing it seems to be the better option.
Soundguy
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what's a working used one cost? IE.. if you can get a working used one cheaper than fixing your non working used one.
ps.. wow 50% increase in price up there.. Yikes!
soundguy
ps.. wow 50% increase in price up there.. Yikes!
soundguy
LD1
Epic Contributor
WOW. I didnt pay more than 200 for either of my used bushhogs.
They are a dime a dozen on c-list. NO way would I put $450 into a used mower.
My mushhog model 105 had a chewed up output shaft. I though about replacing the whole gearbox with a china unit For $100. You may want to look into that as well. I ended up fixing the shaft though.
They are a dime a dozen on c-list. NO way would I put $450 into a used mower.
My mushhog model 105 had a chewed up output shaft. I though about replacing the whole gearbox with a china unit For $100. You may want to look into that as well. I ended up fixing the shaft though.
Soundguy
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yep.. used hogs for 200$ here too.. heck.. I found a very good looking one for 300, and OFFERED 200 showing 5 different adds for 200$ mowers and the seller was GLAD to sell it and get 200$ in hand and help me load her up.
soundguy
soundguy
sweep
Gold Member
Soundguy,
You got me thinking so I called a couple of dealers in the area just to check and see. A new Howse 5' here is $900. A Woods is about $1,200 and a Rhino is about $1,200.
Compared to those prices, $450 sounds a little better
You can probably sell yours for parts-maybe get $100-150 parted out?? What you were going to spend for parts $450 + 100 will nearly get you a new one. Guys will buy the 3 pt hitch assembly to make carts etc.
Did the $450 include tax and shipping?? It all starts adding up. I ordered a chain assembly for my Brush Hog SQ172 and the dealer charged me $30 shipping.
Soundguy
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what about puttoing the 4' box on the 5' mower and swapping the blade carrier over, and then use the 5' blades?
soundguy
soundguy
twoone
Silver Member
Frank, Have you tried Tractor House? They have a lot of equipment links for new and used part's including dismantling dealers wrecked parts ect ect. anyway it might be worth the try you might be luckily to find one close to you through them that has what you need or perhaps a dealer that is close that would sell you a new or a good used one one. What about part interchangeability?. I have Bush hog and have been very happy with it have you tried to price one of these? Paul
