giving the mower the beat down

[zio]

Long time peeper, first time poster. I just broke off the lower left 3 pt mount (if looking back from the seat). Lower right is cracked & ready to break off as well. , and the late spring rains have kept me mowing and mowing and mowing.... Could I be passing on some of the hurt to my sweet little tractor? I always figured it I ran over something I shouldn't have, I'd break the shear bolt on the shaft (which I've done twice already... once on a RR tie, once on some concrete block). I basically drag the thing over any terrain & worry about what's underneath later. Lots of our hills are much smoother now that I've taken off a lot of the big bumps with the mower. But there's still quite a few & if I'm going uphill & don't want to lose momentum, I'll put the hammer down & ride it out.

Seriously, though.... do I worry about the PTO or mounts at all? I don't mind busting up sheet metal & the like on my implements. But I want my orange buddy to stay healthy. I think it's pretty beefy, but I'm relatively new to farm tractors, this one is a Kubota L3750. Used to heavier CASE 480, 580, etc.

Also, bought my first MIG welder this morning (Lincoln). Taught myself to weld on some angle iron I bought with it. After two 6" passes, I think I'm ready to weld a submarine.

 

[bczoom]

Zio,

First, welcome to TBN!!

The mounts that are broken/cracking are on the mower, correct?

What is the size/mfgr/age... of the mower? Is this the same mower you were using with the Case?

Brian

 

[Soundguy]

If the mounts broke.. how are you still mowing? with only 1 lower and the toplink?

Soundguy

 

[normde2001]

Sounds like you are being extremely abusive to your equipment, (please don't ask to borrow mine /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif). These things are not designed to run roughshod over anything and everything. If you don't know the terrain you are mowing, you need to walk it, looking for hidden obstacles.

 

[zio]

re: how am I still mowing.... first time it broke it wasn't all the way off, just the bottom part of the mount broke off the front of the mower. I was able to hammer it back in place & used some JB Weld & safety wire. Obviously they weren't strong enough, & that's when it broke the other day.

I welded it back this morning, and it worked fine on some more rough stuff. Only problem is it's a little higher than it was before. This changes the height of the deck on that left side so that now when I mow at half way or lower, the left side drags through the dirt. It worked out o.k., though, as it just adds a little extra fire barrier wherever I mow. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

This mower came with the ranch. It's old, and there are no markings left on it. There are two separate blades on hinges, each a single blade. And they're almost a half inch thick.

I looked at the 3 pt mounts on the back of the tractor, and they look like they were built for a tank. My only concern now is the PTO shaft.

 

[zio]

I remember now, after the first time I ran over something big (the railroad tie) I was shocked that nothing broke other than the shear bolt. That's when I peeked underneath & saw how beefy the blades were. That same day, I ran over the concrete. Since then, I've found and moved just about every big rock, etc., in the fields & roads I have to mow. I suppose after surviving those two obstacles, I thought the mower was built extra tough for special people like me.

 

[Soundguy]

Ok.. first.. remember the old addge..'measure twice, cut once' It also applies to welding metal together. Measure and clamp it off.. before you glue it together. Next.. if it was off on one side.. your tractor should have an adjustable link to correct for this.

Soundguy

 

[have_blue]

Dear Destructo,

Uh, I mean zio. I think your shear bolt will protect your PTO just fine. Just make sure to replace it with an identical "soft" bolt. The bolt should have no radial lines on the head. 3 lines is a grade 5 bolt, 6 lines is a grade 8... and both are way too strong for a shear pin.

Welcome aboard, and resist all attempts to tame your destructive nature. Most of us get a kick out or reading about things that got torn up... by others!

 

[zio]

Thanks for the replies. I've heard that saying before. I'll consider it next time I'm almost done with a project. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

The adjustable arm (happens to be on left side) is cranked all the way. The mower itself was already bent a little that way, so the combo is really making it list to starboard. It's only a little bit off at the mount, but that little bit makes a difference by the time you get to the edge of the mower.

Never thought about the grade of the shear bolt. I'll stock up on them next time I'm at the store.

I'm almost done mowing the property with the big mower, so I'll leave things as they are for now. You guys should see how I treat the lawn mower I'll use to finish up.

 

[Soundguy]

A hacksaw or hand grinder and another welding rod will help that problem.

Soundguy