Another MX6 Brush Hog Failure

[Zebrafive]

Guys- anyone have an idea if in fact the MX-5 box is same one?

JDparts shows them as the same for MX5 & MX6, there are three different ones, but all are for both MX5 &MX6, likely each is a change from previous one. Different serial number ranges.

 

[Red Horse]

JDparts shows them as the same for MX5 & MX6, there are three different ones, but all are for both MX5 &MX6, likely each is a change from previous one. Different serial number ranges.

Thx Z-5. Spent 10 minutes on JD Parts this AM and could not get "MX-5" to come up!

 

[Kevin37]

I bought my unit in 2003. I bought the MX-6 with my 4710 and a bunch of other gear all at the same time. I can't remember exactly when it broke but I know it did not have that many hours on it. I immediately checked on repairing it and was told they no longer sold the internal gears and would have to buy an entire new gearbox. I went down the road and bought a brand new Modern AG products 6' cutter for $1400 because I needed a working cutter right away and got cutting again for $600 less then Deere pricing. To be honest, I was so busy with other things going on that I never even thought to get on TBYNet and post about it. It sat for a couple years before I thought to check here and thats when I discovered there were other people who experienced the exact sam issue. I packed up the unit that I had disassembled and went back to my dealer with a couple print-outs from this forum. Thats when I got the bad news about customer support being nonexistent.

 

[Kevin37]

Oh yeah, I think the reason the internals were no longer available was because Deere did a complete re-design either the year after my unit or the next. A complete gearbox re-design.....why would they go through that expense to fix something that wasn't broken, so to speak. Unless it was flawed and failing in the fields.....

 

[arlen4720]

Oh yeah, I think the reason the internals were no longer available was because Deere did a complete re-design either the year after my unit or the next. A complete gearbox re-design.....why would they go through that expense to fix something that wasn't broken, so to speak. Unless it was flawed and failing in the fields.....

Oh they know, Then they came up with the 5 year gearbox warranty to restore potential customer confidence, but for some reason, the left the ACTUAL customers in the dust. I feel your pain.
I would still bite the bullet and fix it, at least you would have a decent gearbox.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Why not got with an after market gear box and a can of green paint. If you have to replace the stump jumper and everything, go to Agri supply and get a 100 HP gear box, stump jumper and blades for less than JD gear box alone. If just replacing the gear box, you may have to drill some new mounting holes but likely you can order one that will bolt right in place.

 

[Ken]

Clearly I'm late to this party but I am in the same boat with my MX-6. Mowing on a flat field and the shaft just sheared in two. My gearbox was made in Spain, at least thats what is on the outside of the box. Don't know where the internal parts came from. My local dealer where it was purchased was nice enough to talk to but would not help out with any of the replacement or fixing. I got the same quote....$1600 for the new gearbox but was told I also needed a new blade mounting adaptor. Total $2000. To fix a "John Deere quality" mower that probably didn't even have 100 hours of use. Very poor customer support, but clearly Deere is big enough to simply not care.

Kevpilet1 So you have joined the club. And made a 100 hours use of your MX6 must of treated it carefully. Wonder how many has had this experienced this failure. I estimated less than 40 hours and mine was made in China before 2010 So no warranty.
Purchased a Bush hog Brand of rotary cutter and tossed the carcuss in the junk pile with other expensive equipment. that couldn't cut simple farm work.

About 3 weeks ago was invited to John Deere showing of the new 7 Series of tractor. Told the dealer to forget ordering mine it will be another brand that has a warranty .
Also keep in stopping by and telling of purchased equipment he never sold to me.

Only way to get there attention is to hurt dollar wise.
J.D. Did offer to buy back for 500.00 the whole MX6 told him no but would consider if the pot was increased.

ken

 

[Kevin37]

I tried using a generic gearbox like the one off of my existing cutter. The bolt holes do not match up to the Deere. I haven't checked into what else is available to purchase or where I could even get one. I guess TSC is a good place to start. I will say the way the mounting arms and brackets on the MX-6 articulate is far superior to the cutter I now use and I do want to get that "shell" back to working condition. It's just frustrating to get stonewalled regarding any kind of support. Some of us here choose well known brands supposedly for the superior quality and support. That was an expensive lesson and let-down. My 4710 has also not held up well. Basic engine and trans still good, it's just everything else is cheap and crappy and broken. But that's a whole new thread......

 

[Gary Fowler]

I tried using a generic gearbox like the one off of my existing cutter. The bolt holes do not match up to the Deere. I haven't checked into what else is available to purchase or where I could even get one. I guess TSC is a good place to start. I will say the way the mounting arms and brackets on the MX-6 articulate is far superior to the cutter I now use and I do want to get that "shell" back to working condition. It's just frustrating to get stonewalled regarding any kind of support. Some of us here choose well known brands supposedly for the superior quality and support. That was an expensive lesson and let-down. My 4710 has also not held up well. Basic engine and trans still good, it's just everything else is cheap and crappy and broken. But that's a whole new thread......

If the splines fit, bolt holes are easy to make in the mount. If needed weld up the existing one and punch new ones with drill or torch. No darn (family friendly word) way would I pay $1500 for a $150 gear box just because it is sold by JD. I would bet that you could make a bush hog gear box work easily. I checked the Agri-Supply web and they only listed 75 HP gear boxes but I had a catalog once that had up to 120 HP for less than $500. I am sure one could order any power rating they wanted from an industrial supplier for 1/4th the price quoted for the JD.

 

[deere36]

I found this old post that says the MX6 box has a longer shaft, my MX6 is still working but I am worried now that I see all the failures.



07-01-2009, 09:50 PM #1
8960_Miskin 8960_Miskin is offline
New Member
Join DateJul 2008Posts5
Default John Deere Rotary Cutter Gearbox
The output shaft broke on my MX6. Does anyone know if there is place anywhere that salvages mower parts or gearboxes? My research has revealed that any other brand of mower would accept a generic gearbox for around $350-$400, but being a John Deere with a double hull I cannot use the generic gearbox because the output shaft is too short. The shaft alone is $450 from John Deere. The gearbox looks to the the same as those used on the batwing mowers as well. I have been mowing brush with a 6300 so I think I am overworking the mower a little. If I could get a heavier gearbox off a bigger mower I would do it. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I will be 54 years old tomorrow and my dad sold Bush Hogs in the day...
We currently run Bush Hogs and Howse cutters...
I have never had this to happen...
Ever...
With that said, outsourcing parts where QC can be an issue will tend to have these type consequences from time to time...
Deere can make this right by replacing or repairing those units...
If they don't and I had one it would be a cold day in Hades before I would ever darken the doors of a Deer dealership...
And I would tell the so...
With that said, all manufacturers from time to time have issues with design problems, casting issues, or part failures...
This is where the dealership and manufacturer can shine from the customer's point of view...
Case in point...
Back in 84 my dad sold a 150 HP tractor to a farmer...
After 2500 hours or so the darn thing twisted the drive shaft off...
The dealership repaired it for only the cost of the labor...
They ate the shaft cost with the manufacturer...
Even-though the tractor was out of warranty that shaft should not have sheared...
But it did...
And they did the customer right...
We now have that same tractor sitting in the shed used as a mowing/bush hog tractor with a little over 4600 hours on it...

 

[Red Horse]

I will be 54 years old tomorrow and my dad sold Bush Hogs in the day...
We currently run Bush Hogs and Howse cutters...
I have never had this to happen...
Ever...
With that said, outsourcing parts where QC can be an issue will tend to have these type consequences from time to time...
Deere can make this right by replacing or repairing those units...
If they don't and I had one it would be a cold day in Hades before I would ever darken the doors of a Deer dealership...
And I would tell the so...
With that said, all manufacturers from time to time have issues with design problems, casting issues, or part failures...
This is where the dealership and manufacturer can shine from the customer's point of view...
Case in point...
Back in 84 my dad sold a 150 HP tractor to a farmer...
After 2500 hours or so the darn thing twisted the drive shaft off...
The dealership repaired it for only the cost of the labor...
They ate the shaft cost with the manufacturer...
Even-though the tractor was out of warranty that shaft should not have sheared...
But it did...
And they did the customer right...
We now have that same tractor sitting in the shed used as a mowing/bush hog tractor with a little over 4600 hours on it...

just out of curiosity, what brand was that tractor and is the dealer still in business??

 

[3brownbaydogs]

Mine just failed yesterday, The output shaft broke right in two. It's an '05, but it has +/- 100 hrs on it. I hit a low cut stump in tall grass and done.

 

[beenthere]

Curious, but was the slip clutch adjusted before this seasons' cutting began?

Reminds me that I should do just that on my 513 rotary cutter. Something will break if the slip clutch is rusted tight and won't slip when hitting a stump... and I hit several yesterday along with a 15" diam boulder that I coughed up and couldn't get off of fast enough.

 

[kebo]

Mine just failed yesterday, The output shaft broke right in two. It's an '05, but it has +/- 100 hrs on it. I hit a low cut stump in tall grass and done.View attachment 383134View attachment 383135View attachment 383136

Man, those are some sad looking pic's there! I hate it that you have become another "victim" of JD's greed to increase their profit margins. I've only owned three JD tractors and have been pleased with them, but I only have one JD attachment, and that's just a disc harrow. All this makes me glad that I have an Int'l medium duty mower! I hope your JD dealer can help you get some satisfaction with the repair/replacement. Good luck.

 

[beenthere]

I don't see JD "greed" here. I do see trying to mow down a stump. And doubt the IH med. duty mower would handle it either.

 

[Ken]

I don't see JD "greed" here. I do see trying to mow down a stump. And doubt the IH med. duty mower would handle it either.

beenthere. Look at the shaft where the cut for a lock ring is ground into the shaft. Some said the Spain gear box were at fault
a box from China was used. same design fault.
The greed is not selling a shaft but wanting a total replacement of parts. so if seal goes out buy everything or the shaft pay for it all.
Maybe a little bity chance of greed here.
Sounds like you are defending the j.d. co. by suggesting maybe the buyer did not test a new MX 6 slip clutch or was careless in using .
It is a rotary cutter (Often called bush hog) and purchased to cut weeds brush and small trees .
Mine broke with the paint still on the flywheel or stumper cutting clover on level ground . could of used a lawn mower.

For myself I purchased a 286 Bush Hog by brand name and Have no worries of losing the lower stump jumper.
Also will not purchase a new j.d. tractor or equipment just because of the method of chincy cost management that will not honor a fault that has become a issue to several owners.
I do buy parts to keep my equipment running. but if can locate at other parts dept. I do.

Just because it is green might be moldy underneath the shiny parts.

ken

 

[arlen4720]

I have yet to hear of a failure of the updated gearbox, which carries a 5 year warranty. I believe they went into production 2010 or 2011. I do think JD should have recalled the early ones, or at least fixed the ones that failed out of warranty.
I have hit many stumps and even 2 steel fence posts with my 2012 vintage MX-6. I do slip and adjust the slip clutch every spring. I back the clutch all the way off for winter storage also.
To the OP, there is an outfit that will retrofit a new gearbox. I think a new JD gearbox is around 1600 bucks. Good Luck

 

[3brownbaydogs]

I wasn't trying mow the stump and it is cut pretty close to the ground. I believe the slip clutch is ok, adjusted properly. Looking at the shaft, I feel like what ever I hit then would have been the demise. I had a 4300 with an MX5 previously, and that thing was pretty much bullet proof. I have no idea where that gearbox was made.

JD told me the new gearbox would be $2600, and I'd have to change the stump pan as well @ $200-250...

 

[Zebrafive]

Is there anything cast on the gear box to tell origin? I looked at an MX10 that had SPAIN cast on the gear boxes.