Rotary Cutter JD 516 Rotary Cutter

[jim21347]

I have a 516 I use for weeds and brush. My area is very rocky and I admit to splitting a few over time. As careful as one is you can't see 'em all. Broke the output shaft last year hitting a stump. Probably the final straw. JD wanted $800 for the shaft. That's about $100 an inch. I took it to a machine shop who pinned and welded it. It just broke again. It would seem that any 8" or longer PTO shaft could be cut to lenth and used, right? Anybody have experience with this. A new gear box is about $1,800 from JD. I can't afford either just to cut weeds.

Any help would be appreciated.

Jim

 

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN Jim

What part in the breakdown below is broken? Do you have a slip clutch or the proper shear bolts installed?

 

[jim21347]

kennyd:

Number #19, the output shaft. This is not my gear box however. I believe there we two or more versions. My box has a cone shaped lower housing. The shaft broke right where the snap ring grove is below the lower bearing. The gear box in the diagram you supplied appears to have the propert mounting holes. Some other boxes have only 4 bolts. I do not have a slip clutch but do have a shear bolt on the drive shaft at the input. The small stump I hit this time should have been kid's stuff for the mower. It broke where it was previously welded. Didn't look like the weld penetrated very far.

jim

 

[pitt_md]

I have a 516 I use for weeds and brush. My area is very rocky and I admit to splitting a few over time. As careful as one is you can't see 'em all. Broke the output shaft last year hitting a stump. Probably the final straw. JD wanted $800 for the shaft. That's about $100 an inch. I took it to a machine shop who pinned and welded it. It just broke again. It would seem that any 8" or longer PTO shaft could be cut to lenth and used, right? Anybody have experience with this. A new gear box is about $1,800 from JD. I can't afford either just to cut weeds.

Any help would be appreciated.

Jim

For $1800 you can buy a new rotary cutter.

 

[kennyd]

kennyd:

Number #19, the output shaft. This is not my gear box however. I believe there we two or more versions. My box has a cone shaped lower housing. The shaft broke right where the snap ring grove is below the lower bearing. The gear box in the diagram you supplied appears to have the propert mounting holes. Some other boxes have only 4 bolts. I do not have a slip clutch but do have a shear bolt on the drive shaft at the input. The small stump I hit this time should have been kid's stuff for the mower. It broke where it was previously welded. Didn't look like the weld penetrated very far.

jim

I guess this is yours?

Not sure what to say...I doubt a regular shaft will work like you mentioned in your first post though...

Agri-Supply has some generic gearbox's that you may be able to adapt?

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I doubt even the best welder could repair that shaft to anywhere near original strength. And it broke at original strength.....

Part price sounds a little steep. I'd try another dealer to verify price. Shear bolt or slip clutch SHOULD have prevented original break.

All in all, a bummer

 

[jim21347]

To Kennyd & Farmwithjunk:

Thanks for your responses guys. Kenny, the second diagram you posted is correct for my mower. Agri Supply doesn't have anything for me. Based on Farmwithjunk's reply it looks like I had better get a new shaft.

Farmwithjunk, I appreciated you observations and based upon your experience will get a new shaft from a dealer or have one made.

Anybody out there have a shaft or gearbox?