Try this on!!!

   / Try this on!!! #1  

pilonidal

Silver Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2004
Messages
162
Location
Millmont Pa
Tractor
CK20 HST
A little incident happened, let me set it up. I have 15.5 hrs on my CK20HST I mowed with it intially the first two days after I received it knocking down the weeds around the place. I am working on planting grass. About two hrs total time using the MMM. I took the deck off about 3 weeks ago, because I have been doing FEL loader work with it. The deck just bangs around otherwise. I put the deck back on today to knock the weeds back down. No problems putting it on. Hooked up all four lift bolts and the pto shaft. The shaft turned freely with my hands when hooked up to the deck. Great, doubled checked everything, bolts all pinned in place. PTO hooked up and locked in place, the deck raises and lowers with no problems. Off to whack some weeds. Drive down to the end of the field, put the tractor in low and bring it up to 2000 rpm and engage the mower, didn't lower the deck as the stuff is tall and would take a couple of passes. I am creeping along till about 150 yards into the cut and BANG!!!!!!! (it was a loud bang) The tractor stops dead. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Holy !@#$%, I run around the tractor and inspect it and the deck. I didn't hit anything. Put it in neutral and disengage the pto and attempt a restart, thinking please, please turn over with no frightening noises. Whew, it starts right up with no problems and I slowly back up to look under the deck. Nothing there!!!!!!! Back to the garage. I try to turn the pto shaft by hand, it ain't moving!!!
I disconnect the pto shaft from the deck leaving it attached at the pto. It turns freely by hand now attached to the tractor but not while attached to the deck. I can't turn the blades by hand either. Man, I guess the gearbox on the deck froze up!!!!!!! One thing I remember. I guess about a 100 hundred yards into the cut I hear a very, very faint whine coming from the deck. I write it off as grass and weeds getting wrapped around the pulleys and whipping around the deck. The gear box is dry, no leaks at all. Sigh, guess I'll be taking it back off tomorrow and into the dealer Monday. Just thankful the tractor itself seems okay after the abrupt stop. Anyone else have MMM problems?
 
   / Try this on!!! #2  
I'm really sorry to hear about your misfortune Pilonidal. It does sound like something happened in the gear box. Perhaps the gears broke inside and jammed up. Since there is no obvious problem with the PTO, I guess that's what did it. I hope all continues to be well with the tractor. Keep us informed. John
 
   / Try this on!!! #3  
Hmmmm.......now I don't own any of that type of tractor,but what I'm wondering is why you did not start the mower before reving up the engine? Is not the sames a a pto powered implement? If so you engage at idle then rev up the engine to working speed. If it is the same concept,then the damage could have been inflicted by yourself.
 
   / Try this on!!!
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Okay, I got a little ahead on the story line. I engaged it at around 1500 rpm, slowly releasing the clutch first and bringing it up to speed at 2000 rpm. I didn't start the mower at 2000 rpm. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
   / Try this on!!! #5  
Sounds like you didn't have any gear oil in it.
I think you metioned that right.
 
   / Try this on!!! #6  
Sorry you said "the gear box is dry"
Which you mean the outside is dry, my falt.
 
   / Try this on!!! #7  
In my experience, when gears start to whine bad things are coming..... sounds like there was little or no oil in the gear box to me.... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
   / Try this on!!! #8  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Okay, I got a little ahead on the story line. I engaged it at around 1500 rpm, slowly releasing the clutch first and bringing it up to speed at 2000 rpm. I didn't start the mower at 2000 rpm. )</font>
Not trying to beat you up about it, but it's best to start the PTO at idle speed to reduce shock to the gear box. I know you said you released the clutch slowly, but it's still better to engage below 1500 RPM. If you accidently release a little too fast, it's a pretty good shock on the drive. At this point, we're all just guessing, and this suggestion really has nothing to do with it I suspect. Good luck and let us know what happens. John
 
   / Try this on!!!
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Well, rback33 was right. The dealers mechanic forgot the gear oil when he assembled the deck. The bearings seized. They replaced the bearings and had me back on the road in two hours. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
   / Try this on!!! #10  
Pilonidal,
I hope the gears did not suffer any undue damage or wear! How many hours did it go before the bearings seized up? Glad to hear the problem is solved!

Mark
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2013 Ford E-250 Cargo Van (A50323)
2013 Ford E-250...
Gravelly Pro-Turn 148 48in Zero Turn Mower (A48082)
Gravelly Pro-Turn...
CFG MH12RX Mini Excavator (A49461)
CFG MH12RX Mini...
2018 GMC Sierra 2500 4x4 Crew Cab Pickup Truck (A50323)
2018 GMC Sierra...
2022 BANDIT 2550TK STUMP GRINDER (A51242)
2022 BANDIT 2550TK...
PORTA CABLE 150 PSI AIR COMPRESSOR (A50854)
PORTA CABLE 150...
 
Top