Another MX6 Brush Hog Failure

deere5105 · Apr 29, 2018

deere5105 · Apr 29, 2018

brown40 · Apr 29, 2018

Right at the snap ring--predictably failing for the better part of a decade now, with ZERO support, but they still manage to sell them. Comer is still making the same box with the bolt pattern shifted--so as not to be a direct replacement for Deere's. The company strategy seems to have shifted to entrapment from brand loyalty--what with the proprietary software and made only to fit part vendor requirements.
I picked up a Comer LF227J. The lower casting is the same mold, the upper box and gearworks are significantly heavier--rated for 150 hp vs 90, still 1.69 ratio, but required a lot of work to do. Being told by the dealer my best option was buying a new unit instead of the new gearbox and stumpjumper (2.5k vs 1.5K plus shop time)... I bought a MIG welder, gearbox and driveline instead... now the **** thing looks like a cat on a roller skate, and no more green attachments will ever go to this former customer. If these were Pintos--someone would have been in court--possibly jailed by now... Thank you for reminding me how little regard this massive company has for its smallest customers.

JimR · Apr 29, 2018

deere5105 said:
Thanks for heads up. I looked up the part on JD Parts and see there appears to be two different versions of the Bevel Gear. I believe mine is the Spanish version. If I can replace the broken part and get another 14 years out of it I will be better off repairing.

JD is probably twice the price of what I paid for my gear shaft. There should be a tag on your gearbox stating where it is made. From what I recall my top gear slid over the sahft on the China made box. I think the made in Spain box was one piece. I'd have to look at the parts again to be sure.

JimR · Apr 29, 2018

brown40 said:
Right at the snap ring--predictably failing for the better part of a decade now, with ZERO support, but they still manage to sell them. Comer is still making the same box with the bolt pattern shifted--so as not to be a direct replacement for Deere's. The company strategy seems to have shifted to entrapment from brand loyalty--what with the proprietary software and made only to fit part vendor requirements.
I picked up a Comer LF227J. The lower casting is the same mold, the upper box and gearworks are significantly heavier--rated for 150 hp vs 90, still 1.69 ratio, but required a lot of work to do. Being told by the dealer my best option was buying a new unit instead of the new gearbox and stumpjumper (2.5k vs 1.5K plus shop time)... I bought a MIG welder, gearbox and driveline instead... now the **** thing looks like a cat on a roller skate, and no more green attachments will ever go to this former customer. If these were Pintos--someone would have been in court--possibly jailed by now... Thank you for reminding me how little regard this massive company has for its smallest customers.

Well stated for sure with their proprietary parts. Craftsman did the same thing for many years on their lawnmowers and other parts.

deere5105 · Apr 29, 2018

My gear box is a DE19104. If I understand correctly I will still have to dig into the gear box to see if is a DE19106 13 Tooth or DE19304 15 Tooth. Once know for sure, should be able to replace just the Bevel Gear and possibly the related bearing, shim, snap ring, seal and cap hat if none of it is salvageable. Sound about right?

deere5105 · Apr 29, 2018

brown40 said:
Right at the snap ring--predictably failing for the better part of a decade now, with ZERO support, but they still manage to sell them. Comer is still making the same box with the bolt pattern shifted--so as not to be a direct replacement for Deere's. The company strategy seems to have shifted to entrapment from brand loyalty--what with the proprietary software and made only to fit part vendor requirements.
I picked up a Comer LF227J. The lower casting is the same mold, the upper box and gearworks are significantly heavier--rated for 150 hp vs 90, still 1.69 ratio, but required a lot of work to do. Being told by the dealer my best option was buying a new unit instead of the new gearbox and stumpjumper (2.5k vs 1.5K plus shop time)... I bought a MIG welder, gearbox and driveline instead... now the **** thing looks like a cat on a roller skate, and no more green attachments will ever go to this former customer. If these were Pintos--someone would have been in court--possibly jailed by now... Thank you for reminding me how little regard this massive company has for its smallest customers.

No intent to add salt to the wound. I honestly thought mine would be immune from this issue due to having run it 14 years without issue. Now that it has hit VERY close to home I certainly feel your frustration.

deere5105 · May 5, 2018

Was able to get gear box off of cutter and take a look in box. Counted 13 teeth on lower gear so that would clear up which gear is needed. Never attempted a project like this and pending cost may be better to replace. Any videos or guides on how these pieces come apart? Looks like there is still a piece to separate on the stump jumper.

Turbys_1700 · May 5, 2018

My last Howse cutter blew the front seal several years ago. Before I caught it the gear sheared off going into the output shaft. The cutter had some age on it but had the square gear boxes which was newer than the older round units. How's had changed the output shaft just enough to not work. That done me in on them.

I just purchased a Titan 1810 that uses common gearboxes. The cutter is well designed and 1/3 the cost of Deere, Woods, or Bush Hog. The 10 foot Bush Hog cutters have a transfer shaft shock coupler that is proprietary to Bush Hog. Over 1K to replace. The Titan uses a more common disc arrangement.

I feel for folks who have these MX cutters. Very distrubing that Deere knows of the issue and is ambilvelent to the situation.