Help! 3 problems and just 11 hours in. Warranty? Insurance? Me?

[sunnyside360]

I read the manual and am aware of the adjustment on the clutch. I assumed on a brand new machine this was already done.

It's reasonable to assume but I doubt it was checked/adjusted because of your problem. Believe me, it wouldn't be the first time a rotary cutter slip clutch was not checked prior to delivery. I can attest to that (more than once).

 

[gocards1177]

I would raise the cutter, block it and look at the blades to make sure they have returned to straight out position. Being a new cutter the blades may be somewhat tight. Also, disconnect the PTO shaft to tractor and check to ensure the blades are running straight/level when turning by hand.

I looked to see of they were straight and they were. I didn't look while spinning by hand but I did spin it by hand and it did.

 

[sunnyside360]

I looked to see of they were straight and they were. I didn't look while spinning by hand but I did spin it by hand and it did.

Starting to sound more serious like something is damaged --- stump jumper, deck or shaft. I've done exactly the same thing as you but never resulted in any real damage. Good luck.

 

[BigMike50]

I wouldn't even mention this to the dealer if I was you. just tell them to check the deck out for excessive vibration.

 

[gocards1177]

I wouldn't even mention this to the dealer if I was you. just tell them to check the deck out for excessive vibration.

The problem with that approach is that it assumes guilt. I suspect something in the driveline is wrong because the slip clutch is frozen. If I'm to blame though then so be it.

 

[whistlepig]

Its pretty easy to bottom out a rotary cutter. They should be built well enough to survive this. I wouldn't consider bottoming one out as abuse or something to feel guilty about. A RFM maybe. But not a rotary cutter.

 

[AKfish]

If you want to run the edge of the rear wheels outside of the fender - your dealer should just go with it - not his call! Heck, if he was thinkin' ahead a bit - he might be able to interest you in those fancy, black fender extensions! :thumbsup:

I would expect that the tractor would stall if you bottomed-out on the edge of the ditch. Even with a properly adjusted clutch. I don't think that's a real big problem, though - for the deck, blades, stump jumper pan or the gear boxes... necessarily.

Now, if the pto shaft was at/or beyond a normal operating angle for the pto u-joints - I'd be checking those yokes - if you've got excessive vibration. They could've gotten a good "tweaking" from the grounding.

AKfish

 

[RickB]

All good suggestions. To my untrained eye I didn't see anything wrong. So regardless of the culprit,under the circumstances if it doesn't end up being an equipment issue/warranty covered, would this likely fall under insurance?

Or tuition.

 

[greg_g]

1. Fender extensions. JD has them for the 3x20 series, stands to reason they should have them for your 5083E. Right side installation dead simple, but I had to have my dealer install the left side due to fuel tank proximity.
2. Warranty, no question
3. There was minimal - if any - dealer prep work done on mine. It's almost like they just took it off the truck and handed me the keys. I suspect they didn't touch your mower either. Slip clutch definitely mal-adjusted since delivery, try the warranty route first. Your description does really sound like one of the blades is jammed, causing the unbalanced rotation. And if the PTO shaft was bent, you'd definitely see the wobble. But if one of the U-joints was damaged and loose, you can't see that without taking off the covers. Unfortunately they're not very user friendly when it comes to removal. Again, try the warranty route first.

//greg//

 

[sunnyside360]

The dealer may be resisting the wider wheel width because his trailer is not wide enough to transport. I ran into this exact situation a few years ago when buying a new tractor. The dealer set the wheels in the widest position and when the service/delivery guy couldn't get it on the trailer because the trailer wasn't wide enough they called me. It would've been a problem any time the tractor had to be transported for repair/service so I gave in and said just go to the next setting which resolved the issue.