Amazingly, I got about 20 hours out of my Midwest 30 series cutter. 20 hours of very heavy work. A testament to a great product. No, I haven't talked to the dealer yet. Wanted to gather some basic info first. He definitely told me it had gear oil because we had a discussion about the type that was appropriate to the heavy work I was going to do. I'll let yall know and thanks for the great info. Amazingly, only one set of bearings locked up. The rest were in pretty darn good shape. A fine product from a fine manufacturer--Go Midwest and Jim Mc!!!!!
gear oil put in by whom?
- Thread starter 19th_VA
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Junkman
Super Member
You may think that it is fine, but you will never know how many hours of useful life that has been taken away from it until it fails prematurely..... Just my opinion.....
Junkman,
You misunderstood me. I said Midwest makes a fine product. I did not say my gear box was fine, which is why I posted in the first place--to make sure I have a claim here with the dealer. I did say I was surprised only one set of bearings locked up and that the others appeared to be in pretty good shape.
You misunderstood me. I said Midwest makes a fine product. I did not say my gear box was fine, which is why I posted in the first place--to make sure I have a claim here with the dealer. I did say I was surprised only one set of bearings locked up and that the others appeared to be in pretty good shape.
Junkman
Super Member
Not to argue, but I did understand what you had said and my point was that even though only one set of bearings were damaged, you have no idea of the other collateral damage that has happened to the gears, shafts, etc. I am in no way taking anything for the quality of the basic machine. Lack of lubrication will ruin the very best of machinery. When it overheated because of lack of lubrication the total sum of damage is beyond what you can see. If it were mine, I would want the entire gear box replaced. If they say that it will be as good as new, then suggest that they install it on another new machine and give you the gear box from that machine.
I had the same thing happen to the transmission/differential on a Corvair back in 1963. The dealership replace the bearings and put it all back together. About a month later, the counter shaft snapped in half. Once again, it was replaced and put back together. Then third gear came apart. This time, I said that I wanted it replaced in its entirety. The dealership didn't agree, but the Chevrolet factory representative did and they replace both the transmission and differential. On a Corvair, they are mounted together and share a common oil sump.
As for who is responsible for the damage, I believe the dealer is responsible because he has the primary responsibility for making sure that a new product is ready for operation when delivered unless it is sold through the parts department and you do the final assembly...
I had the same thing happen to the transmission/differential on a Corvair back in 1963. The dealership replace the bearings and put it all back together. About a month later, the counter shaft snapped in half. Once again, it was replaced and put back together. Then third gear came apart. This time, I said that I wanted it replaced in its entirety. The dealership didn't agree, but the Chevrolet factory representative did and they replace both the transmission and differential. On a Corvair, they are mounted together and share a common oil sump.
As for who is responsible for the damage, I believe the dealer is responsible because he has the primary responsibility for making sure that a new product is ready for operation when delivered unless it is sold through the parts department and you do the final assembly...
Gary_in_Indiana
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2002
- Messages
- 3,373
- Location
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Tractor
- John Deere 4200 MFWD HST w/ JD 420 FEL w/ 61" loader bucket & toothbar & JD 37 BH w/ 12" bucket
In my case, I bought a King Kutter and was asked if I needed gear oil or had some for the cutter. That told me all I needed to know but the owner's manual made it even more clear. I always check fluids in anything and everything. It's just about the cheapest way to avoid problems.
I'm sorry you had a problem with your mower. I'm sure you could kick yourself for having taken someone's word when it would have been so simple and easy to check "just to be sure" before you used it.
I'm curious about something. You said it lasted 20-25 hours before it failed. Unless it was some type of Iron Butt mowing session, I'm guessing you used it a number of times to log that many hours on the machine. If that's the case, are you saying you didn't check it at all before any of those mowing sessions?
I'm sorry you had a problem with your mower. I'm sure you could kick yourself for having taken someone's word when it would have been so simple and easy to check "just to be sure" before you used it.
I'm curious about something. You said it lasted 20-25 hours before it failed. Unless it was some type of Iron Butt mowing session, I'm guessing you used it a number of times to log that many hours on the machine. If that's the case, are you saying you didn't check it at all before any of those mowing sessions?
Hoeman00
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2002
- Messages
- 872
- Location
- N Central Ohio
- Tractor
- NH TC35D/SUPER H&M/F-20/JD B&D/FORDSON/JD250 SSL
Gary is right, I check the oil before every mowing.
Brush cutters like most attachments can wrap something around the spindle and take a seal out.
If doing a lot of mowing for days straight, I'd check each morning.
Really no different than checking the fluids in the tractor, should do before using.
I hope the dealer will help u out and get u a new gearbox.
Brush cutters like most attachments can wrap something around the spindle and take a seal out.
If doing a lot of mowing for days straight, I'd check each morning.
Really no different than checking the fluids in the tractor, should do before using.
I hope the dealer will help u out and get u a new gearbox.
RichNJKubota
Gold Member
I always check the fluid levels before operating a new (to me) piece of equipment. The main reason is that I know how busy the mechanics can be at times and it's always possible for someone to make a mistake.
Rich
Rich
frank_f15
Super Member, Rest in Peace
dealer should have filled it, or it should have been tagged as empty. i cringe just thinking about a gear box empty for that long.didn't it make any noise?
