Shearing bolt on pto gear box,grasscatcher

[BobG116]

I have a BX1830 tractor with a grass catcher GCK60-BX. After using the grasscatcher for about an hour the bolt breaks and I have to replace it. This has happened quite often. When installing the catcher it is as level as one can get it. When engaging the catcher I do this at about 3/4 throttle. I asked the dealership about this and they say I'm the only who has purchased a grasscatcher and therefore they are not familiar with the problem. Hopefully someone on this site can shed some light as to what is wrong. Thanks for your input.

 

[SCtractorguy]

I had a 2230 with a crasscatcher that used to do about the same thing. I had to replace the bolt about twice a month.
I know it doesn't help but we never figured out why it would shear. I just put in harder bolts.
It was traded off earlier this year.

good luck!

 

[leonz]

Please help me understand which bolt this is that you have mentioned.

 

[KennyV]

WHY would you engage the PTO at 3/4 throttle ... unless you are looking for the weak point in the drive line. (I think you have found it)..

Try doing it at 1/4 OR LESS throttle... you should have a much happier system... KennyV

 

[BobG116]

Please help me understand which bolt this is that you have mentioned.

The bolt is on the pto gearbox which attaches to the drivetube going to the fan. Thanks for your reply

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Mine has done it a couple times.
I always bring it above idle a little and then engage the PTO. Once engaged then go all the way up to full throttle gradually. With the bagger you cannot run less than full throttle as it does not move enough air compared to what the mower puts out for the grass.
You must also watch your mowing rate as if you feed it too fast and the grass builds up or is too wet and forms into clumps and they break loose they will hit the impellar and you have a good chance of damaging or shearing the pin. That may be the reason they went to belt drive on the newer ones.
My neighbor has an old John Deere 420 with the bagger and they have a variable pulley with a handle to change speeds and you should listen to that thing suck the grass up.

Davidf Kb7uns

 

[dennisgw]

I'm at year 5 with my catcher. It gets workout in spring and mainly in the fall (lots of leaves). First year I sheared a couple of bolts. As suggested in the posts I learned to engage at low throttle and bring it up to speed gradually. I may shear a bolt every 2 years now. I also tightened the bolt with a nut so it is not flopping around. May or may not help. I have picked up bag, after bag, after bag of grass and leaves. don't know what I would do without it. Even learned to mount it fairly painlessly. First year was not pleasant.

 

[radioman]

I assume you dont have a rpm indicator, but you shouldnt be engaging pto's at higher rpms. You should be at around 1200-1800 rpms which is 1/4 or so throttle and feather in the pto clutch. when about to engage pto, hold it 1-2 fingers length away from full engagement and wait. as soon the pto starts spinning, then you can go full on pto and flip it over to lock it in on.

 

[BobG116]

I'm at year 5 with my catcher. It gets workout in spring and mainly in the fall (lots of leaves). First year I sheared a couple of bolts. As suggested in the posts I learned to engage at low throttle and bring it up to speed gradually. I may shear a bolt every 2 years now. I also tightened the bolt with a nut so it is not flopping around. May or may not help. I have picked up bag, after bag, after bag of grass and leaves. don't know what I would do without it. Even learned to mount it fairly painlessly. First year was not pleasant.

Hi Dennis, thanks for your reply. My question is did you use a grade 5 bolt or grade 8? I had some say I could use a grade 8 but that sounds very hard and I don't want to damage the pto gear shaft. Thanks again.

 

[milkman]

Hi Dennis, thanks for your reply. My question is did you use a grade 5 bolt or grade 8? I had some say I could use a grade 8 but that sounds very hard and I don't want to damage the pto gear shaft. Thanks again.

I've never sheared a bolt in mine, but I think I remember that the shear bolts are a shoulder bolt that is a Kubota item, and regular bolts don't work as well, hope I'm not mixing this up with something else.