OH POO! What did I do?

[7snakes]

Have a jd mx6 rotary cutter. I have been using for about 3 years with little problems. Yesterday was clearing some brush at the edge of a creek bank. Backed up to the edge of the bank,lowered the cutter and hit a fair sized hidden stump. Realized what was happening and raised the cutter to discover it wasnt cutting anymore. Pto shaft was still rotating. Turned off the mower and inspected underneath to find the jumper pan and blades were missing which I found in the creek. Not knowing anything about how these shafts/gearboxes work, it is clear that a shaft of some sort broke. I then noticed oil pouring from the now gaping hole where the shaft connected. Should the slip clutch have prevented this from happening? How big of expense am I looking at to get this fixed? What part is broken? I have hit things before but have never had this happen.

[Willl]

Should the slip clutch have prevented this from happening?(

Sure should have, provided it was adjusted correctly and not rusted together.

Did you do a 'preseason' clutch adjustment ?

[rasimmo]

Yes the slip clutch should have prevented it. That is what it is there for. You broke the output shaft from the gearbox. It should not be too expensive to repair (a lot cheaper than a new cutter anyway). You should just have to buy the shaft and the seal. I would do something about that slipclutch too.

[RoyJackson]

Wow! That thing is really sheared off!!

Right off the bat, you're going to need a new shaft. Personally, I don't think I'd trust a weld repair of any sort...not when you consider the abuse these cutters must endure.
As far as replaciing that shaft (and hoping you can salvage the jumper pan and blades), you'll need to get a service manual.
If you can't do the job due to lack of skills and tools, I suggest you get an estimate from your dealer before any work.

Good luck!

[RoyJackson]

perhaps you didn't have a proper shier bolt in place, as for the repair you might find a used gearbox/shaft , did you locate the blades and disc? if so they are probably reusable,

He has a slip clutch and did find the jumper pan and blades.

The slip clutch was probably frozen (with rust) or not adjusted correctly.

[Ford tractor]

Have a jd mx6 rotary cutter.

Should the slip clutch have prevented this from happening?

What part is broken?


How big of expense am I looking at to get this fixed?

I have hit things before but have never had this happen.

The Mx 6 is a good cutter -- when it works. However, there have been many reports of that exact failure. It seems to be a common flaw on gear boxes from (I think) Spain. (more below)

The slip clutch is the worst option for what I'll label "casual users". You MUST test and adjust a slip clutch every time a machine sits for more than 2-3 weeks. MUST. If you don't, the clutch will rust together and become a "No slip clutch". When that happens, expensive things occur. I'm going to guess that you probably didn't realize that (it's in the manual, but who obsessively reads it?). OK enough chastising --> you've learned a lesson and are now teaching others.


The part is the gear box output shaft. It's NOT SUPPORTED by JD.


Are you handy with tools? If so, you can take it apart and bring the pieces to a VERY HIGH QUALITY WELDING SHOP. VERY HIGH. The shaft is hardened, so they will have to heat treat it before and after. Weld repair is probably going to be in the 4-500 range. IF you can get anyone to do it. Most shops won't touch a rotary cutter output shaft. Too much liability. The pan can fly out.

The JD solution is to sell you a new style gear box that won't fit the current pan / cross bar. About $750 for the gear box and about the same for the pan. Plus shipping of those not so small or light items. (ouch); You may want to check that it is indeed out of warranty. I think the gear box is 5 years (could be 3).


I hate to say it, but your best solution is probably to park the cutter in the woods and buy a new unit from Brush hog or Woods. I have a Woods Brushbull 600 and have 10 years of service on it. The Brushbull 720 would be the replacement size to the MX6. The Brush hog brand is reported to be slightly better. The 290 or 320 series (I forget which) is probably what you would want.

[7snakes]

Uh uh well no preseason check of slipclutch was done-some have to learn the costly way Where or how can I learn how to do this in the future? By the way, should the blades quit turning relatively quickly when turning off the mower? They always continued for at least a minute turning even when it was brand new. My yard tractor blades stop almost immediately.

[Ford tractor]

I think you're screwed on the warranty. The recently extended it to 5 years, so you are most likely out of luck with it being 3 years+ old.

[RoyJackson]

Uh uh well no preseason check of slipclutch was done-some have to learn the costly way Where or how can I learn how to do this in the future? By the way, should the blades quit turning relatively quickly when turning off the mower? They always continued for at least a minute turning even when it was brand new. My yard tractor blades stop almost immediately.

Just do an internet search for "Adjusting Slip Clutch"...but the procedure may be in your Operator's Manual (first place to look).

As far as the spin down time...yeah, cutters can take a minute or more...so, yours is typical.
If you reduce the tractor's engine RPM first, that will be easier on your PTO.

[blueriver]

Why can't the OP tear the gear box down, order the new shaft and put it back together?