Help! 3 problems and just 11 hours in. Warranty? Insurance? Me?

[Tx Jim]

I'm not sure what you mean?

The yoke openings where the u-joint caps fit need to be in a relationship that one can lay a straight edge on their flat surfaces. The yokes I referring to are the yokes on each end of the same shaft or telescoping shafts. If the yokes won't line up it will cause the drive shaft to vibrate especially in turns. If you've ever completely slid a telescoping shaft apart and then try to reassemble the 2 halves there's only one way they will slide back together. The reason for this is to keep both u-joints "in phase"(in time with each other)

 

[gocards1177]

The yoke openings where the u-joint caps fit need to be in a relationship that one can lay a straight edge on their flat surfaces. The yokes I referring to are the yokes on each end of the same shaft or telescoping shafts. If the yokes won't line up it will cause the drive shaft to vibrate especially in turns. If you've ever completely slid a telescoping shaft apart and then try to reassemble the 2 halves there's only one way they will slide back together. The reason for this is to keep both u-joints "in phase"(in time with each other)

The fact that I couldn't get my PTO shaft to slide off has really got me thinking that's the culprit. I'll try to muscle it off and inspect it closer with the above information tonight. Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions!

 

[sunnyside360]

Before we got off the phone, he asked if "this" was on me or them. I thought he meant the trailering, so I said I didn't know. He said he would ask my salesman and get back to me. Now that I think of it, I'm wondering what he meant by "this".

I'd push back on transportation charges for warranty work, technical service bulletins, etc. Between three different John Deere dealers I've never been charged for transportation for Deere warranty work.

 

[Tx Jim]

gocards1177
If the slip clutch was not adjusted correctly when PDI was performed then you hitting an obstruction severe enough to kill engine but clutch not slip more than likely twisted the drive shaft enough to get yokes out of phase. This info is coming from a former JD dealer service manager(me).

 

[gocards1177]

gocards1177
If the slip clutch was not adjusted correctly when PDI was performed then you hitting an obstruction severe enough to kill engine but clutch not slip more than likely twisted the drive shaft enough to get yokes out of phase. This info is coming from a former JD dealer service manager(me).

Just got back from our land. I looked all over the cutter and I can't see any evidence of damage. I dont have a cv type pto shaft. The yokes are in phase. But I could NOT get it to slide in or out at all. I suspect when I went through the ditch the two halves got "crunched" together and bent. I can't see the damage due to the plastic shielding.

 

[CliffordK]

gocards1177
If the slip clutch was not adjusted correctly when PDI was performed then you hitting an obstruction severe enough to kill engine but clutch not slip more than likely twisted the drive shaft enough to get yokes out of phase. This info is coming from a former JD dealer service manager(me).

One would think the clutch would be designed on the OUTSIDE of the two synchronized yokes.
If the clutch is between the two yokes, then it is designed/assembled improperly, and should be shipped back to China.

Just got back from our land. I looked all over the cutter and I can't see any evidence of damage. I dont have a cv type pto shaft. The yokes are in phase. But I could NOT get it to slide in or out at all. I suspect when I went through the ditch the two halves got "crunched" together and bent. I can't see the damage due to the plastic shielding.

Just not having any slippage might be enough to cause your rattle.
I assume the mower is now disconnected from the tractor. You should go ahead and remove the PTO shaft and take it back to the dealership.

It sounds like something is bent inside.

It may be a warranty issue. The tractor and mower arrived at your place connected together. If the shaft was improperly sized, and too long causing it to jam together and bend, then it is a dealership problem. You should be able to take your 3 pt hitch through the entire range of motion and still have some play with the PTO shaft. Plus, perhaps a little extra.

If, on the other hand, the shaft was unable to withstand the torque of stopping the mower, that may indicate that it was undersized, and still would be a warranty issue.

 

[gocards1177]

CliffordK thanks for your thoughts. My cutter is a pull type but I agree with your thinking.

 

[sunnyside360]

If the shaft was improperly sized, and too long causing it to jam together and bend, then it is a dealership problem. You should be able to take your 3 pt hitch through the entire range of motion and still have some play with the PTO shaft. Plus, perhaps a little extra.

Good possibility the PTO shaft was not sized properly and jammed when crossing the ditch. Then, the fact that the cutter bottomed out at the same time would be just coincidental. Got to examine that PTO shaft closer.

 

[gocards1177]

Good possibility the PTO shaft was not sized properly and jammed when crossing the ditch. Then, the fact that the cutter bottomed out at the same time would be just coincidental. Got to examine that PTO shaft closer.

I'm thinking the same. I went out this am to take it off as suggested but forgot my cheater bar at home. Will try to get it off later. It definitely won't slide apart easily.

 

[sunnyside360]

It definitely won't slide apart easily.

The outer section of the PTO shaft should slide off with minimal effort. Think you are zeroing in on the real problem.