JD 506 rotary cutter "smokes"

[Rustyrat]

I have a 506 rotary cutter that came with a JD 990 that I just bought. It hadn't been used for a long time, but it is in good shape. I followed the manual and greased the fittings and checked the gear oil (looked new). I marked the slip clutch with chalk and then ran it for a few minutes. Then I checked that the chalk marks didn't still line up indicating that the slip clutch is working, and it appears to be working (the marks didn't still line up). So I took it for a "test cut". Through the grass everything went fine. When I came to a small tree (1" diameter) I drop over and it appeared to cut it fine. but soon after smoke started coming from under the gear box shroud. I stopped and checked the nut on the slip clutch and it could be tightened so I did, 1/4 turn. There was a lot of grease behind the slip clutch apparently from when I greased the fitting in front of the clutch. I don't know if this is where the smoke is coming from or not.
I started up and it went fine for 30 minutes. Then a few more small trees and the same result. I tightened up the nut another 1/4 turn. I read in the manual that if it is too loose it causes too much slipping/friction.
Any thoughts before I tackle a couple of acres of cutting?

 

[beenthere]

Sounds like the clutch is slipping, but have you felt of it to see what is getting hot?

? "smoke started coming from under the gear box shroud". Is that the shroud over the clutch?

Did you over-grease something? Should have no oil or grease near the clutch facings. If oil on it, then I'd clean the clutch facings with a solvent to remove the oil/grease.

Run it again and feel around to figure out if something is getting hot. Imagine something is or there wouldn't be smoke.

 

[Rustyrat]

There was an excessive amount of grease behind the clutch. What would you suggest for solvent to clean the plates if that needs to be done?

 

[sweettractors]

If it is not the clutch causing the smoke, It will probably be the front bearing on the input shaft going out. You should be able to tell by feeling what is getting hot? Ken Sweet

 

[beenthere]

Rusty
Anything to cut the grease. Gasoline, Xylol, brake cleaner, etc.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have a 506 rotary cutter that came with a JD 990 that I just bought. It hadn't been used for a long time, but it is in good shape. I followed the manual and greased the fittings and checked the gear oil (looked new). I marked the slip clutch with chalk and then ran it for a few minutes. Then I checked that the chalk marks didn't still line up indicating that the slip clutch is working, and it appears to be working (the marks didn't still line up). So I took it for a "test cut". Through the grass everything went fine. When I came to a small tree (1" diameter) I drop over and it appeared to cut it fine. but soon after smoke started coming from under the gear box shroud. I stopped and checked the nut on the slip clutch and it could be tightened so I did, 1/4 turn. There was a lot of grease behind the slip clutch apparently from when I greased the fitting in front of the clutch. I don't know if this is where the smoke is coming from or not.
I started up and it went fine for 30 minutes. Then a few more small trees and the same result. I tightened up the nut another 1/4 turn. I read in the manual that if it is too loose it causes too much slipping/friction.
Any thoughts before I tackle a couple of acres of cutting?

Tighten the clutch a full turn more. It is far too slippy.
larry

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I'd just keep tightening and not worrry too much about getting the grease off.

The smoke you see IS grease coming off, and any left that's NOT between the plates is rust protection

 

[Rustyrat]

Thanks everyone. Look out tall grass, here I come!!