Rotary Cutter Bush hog brand cutter - bad seal

[queen of spades]

So what is involved in replacing a pto to gearbox seal on a Bush Hog brand rotary cutter? Is this something I can do without special tools & presses?

 

[firemen122]

I have always pumped the box full of grease. It will stop the leak and have never had one fail yet. Everyone I know does the same couple bucks for a tube of grease 5 minutes and your done.....

 

[queen of spades]

Ok.. would an older Bush Hog brand mower be better than the new 4' yellow cutters at TSC?

 

[Dead Horse]

You may be able to "repair" it.

Take off the shaft extension. then with a small sharp screw driver, pry out the seal, without damaging it. The seal has a metal ring that makes it rigid against the case. If someone has screwed with it in the past and bent that ring just a bit, it will leak. Straighten the ring and gently tap the seal back in. Go with the heaviest gearcase oil you can find. I also do the grease thing, but I mix it with gear case oil so there is some viscosity. Remember the oil has to get to the bearings at the bottom of the case and it does that by dripping through the bearing just below the crown of the spindle shaft. (each shaft has two bearings).

I have had my bush hog casings apart several times to replace sheared spindles or reseat the bearing C rings. I reuse the seals every time.........

 

[kebo]

Ok.. would an older Bush Hog brand mower be better than the new 4' yellow cutters at TSC?

Of course, it would depend on the overall condition of the BushHog mower. Does it look beat up? Bent up? Any rust through on the deck?? Most likely if the Bush Hog mower looks good, I would take that over a new 4ft KK mower any day of the week. Do you have the model number of the Bush Hog mower? If so, you might be able to research and find out if it's a medium or heavy duty unit. You can also check tractorhouse.com and see what used ones like it are going for.

Keith

 

[E_Sanborn]

"...So what is involved in replacing a pto to gearbox seal on a Bush Hog brand rotary cutter? Is this something I can do without special tools & presses?"

QoS:

item1> Generically, (outside mounted seal) You drain remaining oil by removing drain plug, unbolt and drive out the shear pin, remove the pto shaft stub, pull off the old seal with a pick or other suitable instrument which does not endanger bearing surfaces. Then, reverse steps with new or improved materials.

(inside mounted seal) You drain remaining oil by removing drain plug, unbolt and drive out the shear pin, remove the pto shaft stub, unbolt the faceplate of the gear housing, which contains the seal, press out the spur gear drive stub from the bearing and seal, scrape off the undoubtedly broken gear case / faceplate gasket, pull off the old seal with a pick or other suitable instrument which does not endanger bearing surfaces, measure radial and axial runout in the pinion bearing to evaluate replacement while you're at it, then reverse steps with new or improved materials.

Haven't been inside a BrushHog gearbox, so what do I know? If it's an inside seal,I'd avoid the work. could also get complicated - For example, some H-D gearboxes use crush washers or other props to maintain a relatively uniform preload and clearance spec on bearings and drive components.

item2> I've done and seen done similar jobs with a handful of ordinary tools, but the work and results may not be pretty. Large sockets w/sledges can substitute for presses, and a gear / steering wheel puller can get you by, but a hydraulic press and properly sized pullers an pushers are best.

Or you could try grease, I guess...