Lost FWD on BX22

[JEDsBX22]

I’ve spent many hours reading posts here and learning about tractors. This is my first post and of course it would have to be about a problem!

I have a BX22 with about 250 hours on it. I’ve been very good about maintenance intervals and such.

The tractor has lost the ability to operate in FWD. I was mowing with the FWD lever forward (steep hills) for about an hour. I noticed the problem when I went to back up a hill and the rear wheels just spun. There was no noise or any indications at all of problems before this. Back at my garage I noticed that the front axle fill plug had come loose a couple of turns, with UDT leakage around the plug/axle housing. I have no idea how long the plug had been loose.

I topped off the axle with UDT (required less than a pint to reach the top fill slot in dipstick), firmly tightened the plug and I still do not have FWD.

Has anyone else had this problem? I hate taking it to the dealer without at least trying to fix it first.

 

[JEDsBX22]

Holy Smokes!

I took off the mid-mount mower and put the tractor on ramps. The problem is painfully obvious. The U-joint connecting the drive shafts is completely missing! I walked my whole yard searching the steepest areas and all around where I first noticed losing the FWD… Nothing.

Then on a hunch, I searched in the loose grass clippings on top of my dismounted mid mount mower – and there it was. I am just glad it did not get jammed in the belts and pulleys.

Guess I’ll have to find a new sheer pin.

 

[Bird]

Glad to hear you found the reason for the problem, and the parts, without having any further damage.