lost HST return spring while brush hogging last weekend

[grsthegreat]

It was quite a start. I am so use to having HST peddle return to center when i remove my foot, that it took a few seconds to realize it wasnt working. i quickly pressed reverse to move it back to center. i was amazed as to how gently you have to press without the spring. I shut down tractor and went on a search to find out what happened. after playing with the pedals i realized that the return spring poped off. i went back and searched the ground, and could not believe it but i found the spring undamaged. it pops on and seems to stay in place fine, and has never come off in 10 years and about 1,200 hours of use. But if this had happened to the wife, i only hope she would have at least shut off the tractor. im going to have a discussion with here this weekend.

looking at where the spring attaches, i guess im going to have to design some kind of shield to prevent a stick or piece of brush from popping it off in the future. i was mowing some heavy wild roses (brush) when it happened.

 

[rademamj1]

Well if these springs only pop off every 10 years, just have a couple xtra springs as backups in your tool box, which would be good for 20 more years. Thats easier than designing and fabrication of any protection system. They also may show wear and stretch over time, necessitating replacement.

 

[grsthegreat]

Well if these springs only pop off every 10 years, just have a couple xtra springs as backups in your tool box, which would be good for 20 more years. Thats easier than designing and fabrication of any protection system. They also may show wear and stretch over time, necessitating replacement.

ya, kind of what i was thinking. im just worried about what would have happened if the wife was operating it when this happened. heck, it even took me a few seconds to figure out something was wrong. but i do plan on ordering a spare

 

[rademamj1]

Your wife also drives the tractor? Thats absolutely wonderful. I suspect that very few women ever want to operate a tractor. I could be wrong.....

My wife enjoys loading branches into the PTO chipper, but never ever shows interest in climbing into the drivers seat.

 

[grsthegreat]

Your wife also drives the tractor? Thats absolutely wonderful. I suspect that very few women ever want to operate a tractor. I could be wrong.....

My wife enjoys loading branches into the PTO chipper, but never ever shows interest in climbing into the drivers seat.

I tried hiding the key.... she ordered her own key.

She has been operating tractors for 27 years. Does not bother her. But i did make her sit down and read owners manual before she operated it. And get this. I got the manual 2 weeks before tractor arrived. She pushed me out of the way and was the first to operate it when it was delivered.

I was too busy laughing to be pissed off.

 

[grsthegreat]

Your wife also drives the tractor? Thats absolutely wonderful. I suspect that very few women ever want to operate a tractor. I could be wrong.....

My wife enjoys loading branches into the PTO chipper, but never ever shows interest in climbing into the drivers seat.

my wife hides when im chipping........

 

[bnold]

My wife does the flail/bush hogging in the cab and AC... I get zero turn and weed eat duties!

 

[grsthegreat]

My wife does the flail/bush hogging in the cab and AC... I get zero turn and weed eat duties!

thats what im afraid of....i do like it when she asks me to help scoop manure from horse pens. I sit in a/c cab and she scoops....after all im helping her. Im afraid shell wise up

 

[5030]

Your wife also drives the tractor? Thats absolutely wonderful. I suspect that very few women ever want to operate a tractor. I could be wrong.....

My wife enjoys loading branches into the PTO chipper, but never ever shows interest in climbing into the drivers seat.

Must be gifted. My wife don'r even know how to start either of mine, let alone shift a 16 speed powershift and candidly, I DON"T want her to know.

 

[DieselBound]

It's hours of work to replace one of these on an NX. Completely different setup. I had one break on me and I was totally dead in the "water." The pedal shaft, which the springs wind around, have potentiometers and the computer will balk if there's a conflict with pedal positioning (forward and reverse). My wife piloted as I towed it back to the shop. I'd performed a bunch of maintenance, even doings some things that I hoped would, and briefly thought would, address this issue (the dealer said they poked at it- I don't think they are very analytical). Was feeling really good until... Pedal drops to the floor and stays there! Pulling it back up made no difference.

Factory defect with the spring and over time it weakened and finally broke. It was always a bit weird since new, it periodically had the feel of a slightly sticking pedal. The break in the spring would flex more as things warmed up.

I'm also thinking about ordering up some spares :thumbsup: