Re: Bullet proof BX
As promised, here is the rest of the story:
I picked up my tractor from the dealer on 24 Dec. 2002, just in time to plow the 9" snow that fell on christmas day/nite.
While the rear of the tractor was apart, I advised the dealer to also inspect the differential lock, which was not engaging.
The total bill for repair was $1304.00
This included the transmission case:$390.00
The differential lock was in pieces, and needed replacement. S-UDT, seals and O-rings added up to an additional $225.00.
The labor was $650.00, of which the dealer gave me a break, and charged 10 hours labor. I would imagine the job took 2x that time, as every part of the rear of the tractor had to be removed.
The silver lining in this fiasco is that the same work would have had to be done to repair the differential lock, and that is now repaired as well.
Due to my experience, be careful when engaging the lock. Hold firm pressure on the foot pedal, while slowly engaging the hydro pedal, and you will feel the diff. lock engage. Release the lock pedal when traction is restored.
To finish this tale of whoa, I removed what is now a $1300 eye bolt from the skid plate, and reattached the rear hold-up chain, using a 3/8" repair link through the original eye bolt hole.
Upon inspection, this set-up works fine, with no ridgid piece to damage the parts your are trying to protect.
I hope you can learn from my engineering mistake, not repeat it, but protect your tractors vunerable underside.
Looking forward to better luck in 2003
HAPPY NEW YEAR
hdbikercouple:
I broke the transmission housing with my skidplate, as posted above. When this occured in 2002, I had 396 hours time on the tractor. When the transaxle was split & torn down, the differential lock mechanism was found in pieces, resting on the bottom. It had not found it's way into ruining any other parts.
The dealer & I guessed that I stepped on it too hard, with the tire spinning and broke it. I now have 1330 hrs. on the tractor, and gently engage the diff. lock lever when needed.
Practically all of the tractor items broken by me can be traced back to some error on my part.
WALT