Rotary Cutter Gear Box Oil Color

[duckhunt]

I was doing some routine bushhoggin, when I got finished I thought that I should check the gear oil, probably be better to do this before I mow, but anyways I noticed the oil was nearly as white as milk and fairly thin. I figured that the gears had beat the oil to a froth, so I decided to let it sit for a few days and check it again and I found the same white color oil. This is a brand new 2009 model with about 10-15 hours use. What do yall think. I have no leaks anywhere, how can water get in the gear box without someone pouring it in? When I get time I'm going to drain and fill with new oil. Whats yalls thoughts?

 

[RoyJackson]

That is very odd...no idea what happened. But replacing the lube sounds like an outstanding idea. Since the cutter is a 2009 model, I guess you bought it new so you should have the operators manual. Make sure you use the correct gear oil in the cutter gearbox.

1 more to go....

 

[greg_g]

I assume you're talking about the rotary cutter, and not the tractor. Since very few RCs ever see a roof, I'm bettin' the thing had water in it when you bought it. Sitting in the sun all day, then cooling off at night - creates condensation inside the transmission housing. It's not a big deal, and is why I change the gear oil in my mowers every spring. One thing that can help reduce condensation though, is a vented fill plug. They save wear and tear on transmission seals too.

That said, tractors that never see shade can develop the same problem in their trannys and diffs as well.

//greg//

 

[radioman]

I dunno how you got water in there other then maybe bad seal or loose cap. I had a milky appearance once in my tiller gearbox in the spring and i know i checked it before I put it away and it was fine. I just changed it out and it been fine ever since for couple years being in the rain a few times.

It goes to show that sometimes things happen and other thing you can do is go with it and fix what you can see.

 

[Kays Supply]

FYI , I had a gear box getting warmer than I liked. I put a high percentage of Lucas treatment in it. It cooled it down quite a bit. On a warm weather box, it couldn't hurt.

 

[Soundguy]

dump in a half bottle of rubbing alcohol from your medicine chest, spint he pto over for 10-15 seconds, then invert the mower and drain the emulsion out.. the alcohol will solvate any water not already emulsified.. then if you like you can flush with diesel.. or not.. then refill with a good gear oil.

if the seals don't weep, and the bearing feels smooth with no shaft play.. you are good to go.

soundguy

 

[duckhunt]

Thanks for the comments.

Like Greg-g said, my dealer has a huge concrete lot with no shade, possibly water was in it when I bought it.

I'm going to change the oil ASAP and carry on......

Thanks again.

Jonathan

 

[Toyboy]

My snow blower came that way also. I drained and refilled it and did it again after a couple uses to make sure it was flushed out good. I'll start draining & refilling both the snow blower and mower deck at the end of it's season just like I do w/my outboards. Lube is cheap and it's an easy job.

 

[Jahnaka]

yes, it's strange

 

[Soundguy]

Thanks for the comments.

Like Greg-g said, my dealer has a huge concrete lot with no shade, possibly water was in it when I bought it.

I'm going to change the oil ASAP and carry on......

Thanks again.

Jonathan

be glad it had oil in it.. many implements are shipped dry..

soundguy