Smoked the Ring gear on my 4400

[City Farmer]

When it rains it pours. I put all the new parts on the tractor this afternoon and hit the key, she cranked for a second then let go. Pulled the starter and looked at the drive gear, smoked. Looked at the ring gear and just laughed. I Ran the starter to the repair shop and back at the tractor in an hr. hopping it would work. Yeah right, didn't happen. Is there anything I can do to the starter get few more starts before splitting the tractor? Anyone ever machine the starter housing to engage the ring more? I'm sure I'm reaching but I'm really in a bind. I won't always have someone to help me pull start.

 

[lilranch2001]

what do you mean you put all new parts on?

 

[City Farmer]

what do you mean you put all new parts on?

I only put a new drive gear on the starter but a few other non-starter parts (carb & battery cables, miscellaneous wires). I'm willing to sacrifice the starter if I can do something to make it engage better/more.

 

[Kirk-NJ]

Since the ring gear usually ends up on stopping in only one or two spot you can try rotating the ring gear via the engine crank pulley nut and it may start on the first hit if you gas/chock is right. The starter gear chewed up does not help matters.

Kirk

 

[Soundguy]

rg is worn, but some teeth there.

see if it is getting full engagement onthe drive gear. all it takes is a bur to prevent it.

int rhe end, the rg needs repalcement too.

no machining of the housing to help here.

 

[Sportsman762]

TSC has a replacement ring gear.
Tisco Gear, E2NN6384AA - Tractor Supply Co.

 

[Soundguy]

city farmer. is your 4400 gas?

 

[City Farmer]

I've tried rotating the gear a quarter turn, it didn't help any, she's shot. That's a new drive gear on the starter, it looks chewed up but its just the lead angle. I went to the dealer this am and almost had a heart attack when he told me a replacement gear is $275+tax. Yes soundguy, its a gaser.

 

[CircleRat]

I'm an old auto mechanic and not that familiar with tractors, but if this ring gear is the type that you heat & expand to remove it from the flywheel, then why not just flip it over and pop it back on, so the good side of the teeth are facing the starter?

This was a standard repair with automotive ring gears, you get twice the service life from one ring gear and it saves having to shell out big bucks for a new one. Of course it may be an entirely different deal on a tractor. Just thought I'd throw it out there on the chance it might help.

 

[Soundguy]

if it's a chamfered toth ring gear ( and i don't know if it is or not ), then i would not flip them. it will cause hard engagements and eat the dive gear... besides the fact that if i went tot he trouble to split a machine.. I'd be dong ring gear, clutch and trans seal all in one swoop.