Leaking seal on Woods BB60 rotary mower

[John_Mc]

I've got a leaking seal on the underside of the gearbox on my Woods BB60 rotary mower. The gear oil drips out under the mower deck. How tough is this to replace? Anyone had experience with it? any tips to make the job go easier?

I've also heard somewhere that some folks converted their gearboxes over to run a lightweight grease, in order to solve recurring leaking problems. Any thoughts on how well this works?

John Mc

 

[hammer1995]

The first time I washed my BB 60 deck I thought I had a bottom seal leak. Turned out is was just really dirty water. Also, make sure there's a vent plug in the top of your gear box. Is it possibly still under warranty? I think Woods has a 36 month warranty.

 

[soarkrebel1]

My bb60 has always leaked around the vent and i had to put teflon tape on the fill plug to keep it from leaking. you might check the top side and make sure it isnt leaking down from the upper side. i thought my owners manual had a section on seal replacement but i am not sure . i will see if i can find it.

 

[soarkrebel1]

Hey that didnt take long. your owners manual has the instructions for the job. doesnt look to hard to me but i don't know how it would to you.

Oops just looked at your profile and see that your a pilot well as an A&P mechanic and being around pilots you should seek help! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[OkieG]

I replaced a leaking gearbox seal on my BushHog about a month ago. I always expect the worst when I play mechanic in new territory, but this one went pretty easy. The old seal wasn't too hard to get out, and the new seal tapped into place easily...and best of all, no leak since.

To begin with, I removed the blades, yoke, and trash guard from underneath. Then, removed the PTO shaft from the gearbox, and the 4 bolts that hold the gearbox on the deck. When I turned the gearbox upside down, the seal was right there. I cleaned away all the dirt before removing the seal. Thank goodness, even with a substantial leak, there was enough oil left so no apparent harm was done to the gears. Now, everything seems to work as good as new.

I think I've had my cutter for 3 or 4 years now. It gets regular use, but not lots of hours. I hope the leak was a fluke. I would expect the seal to last. This was a first time leak, so don't know if it will be a recurring problem. The dealer said gearbox leaks are not common. Take that for what it's worth.

OkieG

 

[RobS]

I just replaced one on my JD513 cutter. Did it all from underneath, it wasn't as bad as I would have thought. The main blade holder bolt came off with my 1/2 inch impact and the holder was splined onto the shaft so a stout gear puller did the trick to remove it. I left the blades on so that whole thing was pretty heavy but manageable.

I pried off a dust cap which revealed the seal. Jammed a screwdriver into it and popped it out. Drain pan is handy at that point. I was surprised at the amount of water that drained out with the oil.

Assembly was just as easy but this time I knew what I was doing /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MMM]

I've run grease in an old 4 blade chopper for 11 years now with no ill effects Shaft is scored where lip of seal rides so new seal didn't help. Replaced fill plug with zerk, took off top cover plate and and watched till I pumped enough so gears maintained constant contact with grease. Took 3 tubes on 120hp gearbox. I flush with deisel and change grease every couple years as particles suspend in grease instead of settling.

 

[John_Mc]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The first time I washed my BB 60 deck I thought I had a bottom seal leak. Turned out is was just really dirty water. Also, make sure there's a vent plug in the top of your gear box. Is it possibly still under warranty? I think Woods has a 36 month warranty. )</font>

I'm positive it's a leak. I filled the gearbox up a couple of days ago, before using it for the first time this season. I was suprised how much it took to fill it to the level plug (that was my first hint that I had a leak). After it sat overnight, I had a good sized puddle of oil under the mower. Looking at the underside, I could see that some parts near the hub were still wet with oil.

I hadn't thought of the warranty. I checked. The whole unit is warranted for 12 months, but the gearbox components are warranted for 3 years. My 3 years are up July 19. Time to give someone a call.

John Mc

 

[John_Mc]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Oops just looked at your profile and see that your a pilot well as an A&P mechanic and being around pilots you should seek help! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>

Since I'm not an A&P, does that mean I can try it on my own? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

John Mc

 

[soarkrebel1]

AHHH go ahead and try it you could think of it as replacing a mast seal on a helicopter thats upside down. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
And it doesnt even have to have an inspector approve it.

John some of the pilots i run into really don't need to even check the oil cause they don't know what they are looking at. i get the impression your different from those folks. good luck !

 

[frank_f15]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My 3 years are up July 19. )</font>

NOW is the time to run don't walk to the dealer. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Soundguy]

Not that i'm a fan of liquid wrench.. but I have a 46 2n that had a seeping leak on the pto shaft.. just enough to put a drop or two a day on the concrete. I added some lucas tranny addative to the gear/tranny/hyd sump.

Ran the tractor the next few days.. and now no leak...

Do I need to replace the pto seal? Yes.. but down the road when I get time..

Soundguy

 

[bigtractor]

Make sure it has a vent not just a plug on the fill. They come to the dealer with a plug then we must change over to the vent cap.
It is not a big deal to change the seal but I am going to assume some wire or something is wrapped up in it.

Anyhow take it to your dealer and get it fixed before your dead line if it just failed.
dave

 

[soarkrebel1]

Your right bigtractor. i thought what? when i read your post but i looked in my owners manual under assembly intructions and sure enough it comes with a plug in the vent hole. the vent is installed after servicing. page 39.

I used mine about three hours today and as always it vented oil out of the vent. no big deal really at least i know the vent works and isnt clogged.