My new Yanmar. What is it?...and other question.

[Bluest]

Thanks again all. I've ordered an operator manual and a few filters from Hoye, which will hopefully give me some confidence that everything is in order and I know what all the levers do. Was trying to use the diff lock yesterday but couldn't get it to go in. Is this supposed to be engaged when stationary or moving? Tried both with no success, although I swear it worked a couple of days ago.

Picked up my 4' pasture topper. It's pretty scruffy but that was reflected in the price. Seems to cut well enough and makes the tractor feel more stable. Only fault seems to be the input shaft seal has failed so it poured oil out all over the top of the deck.

 

[winston1]

When mashing the differential lock there are cogs that have to line up in order to engage. See 18 & 19 in attached parts drawing for an example. If not lined up when standing still it will not engage. Never try to force it. When one wheel begins to pull more then the other the cogs will line up. Just keep a steady gentle pressure on the pedal until they line up.

 

[California]

Expect one rear wheel to slip nearly a half-revolution relative to the other before the difflock cogs will line up and engage. If the front axle has decent traction you may go a ways before this engagement.

 

[Bluest]

Thanks again chaps. Most helpful. The wheels were turning at the same speed when I tried the diff lock, which would explain why it wouldn't work.

One thing I didn't mention. Got my dad to knock up a couple of extensions to the seat bracket from scrap aluminium. Managed to get the seat about 2" further back. I'm pretty tall and it's made a huge difference to the comfort.

 

[kenmac]

Reading an early post abut a 4' rotary pasture topper. I thought you were talking about a rotary cutter as in brush cutter, . I had no idea you were talking about a finishing mower. The finishing mower should give you more of a lawn mower cut look, as opposed to a rotary (brush cutter) which would give you a rough cut

 

[Bluest]

Reading an early post abut a 4' rotary pasture topper. I thought you were talking about a rotary cutter as in brush cutter, . I had no idea you were talking about a finishing mower. The finishing mower should give you more of a lawn mower cut look, as opposed to a rotary (brush cutter) which would give you a rough cut

You're right it, it is a finsh mower I ended up with. That's probably my fault, not using the proper the terms, and also not knowing exactly what I was buying because the ad was so poorly written. Anyway, it's a three bladder, doesn't cut too close, which is good because my field has been cut up by a horse in the past.

 

[normde2001]

Top off your mower's gear box with Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak, or similar product, (about the consistency of 90wt lube), and deal with the bad seal in about 10 -15 years.

 

[grainger12002]

try lucas hub oil, perfect for the leak at the gear box,worksngreat and all but cures the leak

 

[Coyote machine]

Mowers like your finish mower, with gauge wheels for height adjustment; and rough cut mowers, (most in the States call brush hogs, or bush hogs), mostly all suffer the adverse effects of the gearboxes locking up during the winter season, especially if stored outside. The gearbox oil, often heavy viscosity 70-90 oil often gets condensation in the box which turns to water and upon startup in Spring can blow out seals or break gears in the box from lack of lube/water mix. Best to make sure the box is not 'frozen' by using a block of wood to keep the blades from moving while slowly engaging the lowest PTO speed at a low idle of your tractor's engine to see if it stalls the tractor or 'frees' the gearbox/PTO shaft. Others may be better able to describe the process, but it's worth knowing about.

So, at the very least change out the gear oil from the mower's gearbox, and check for water in the drained oil, then add what the other's mentioned to hopefully seal the shaft seal.

Maybe you should take the tractor by Ed China's place for a through checkup?! You know, Wheeler/Dealers, one of my favorite shows from the Brits.:thumbsup:

 

[Bluest]

Thanks for the advice. The mower has definitely lived outside for most of its life. I'll follow the tips to sort the mower gearbox out. Still fancy having a go at replacing the seal though too.

I've met Ed China, and "Old art yer and" Mike Brewer, a few times. They're always at the classic car shows I go to with my Dad. Ed has made some brilliant specials, although he does take some shockng shortcuts in the show!He's got sofa that will do 70mph that you steer with a pizza! He also made the giant supermarket trolley at the beginning of the Jackass Movie. I saw Mike Brewer about a month ago, showing of his Mustang and a rare Camaro he has.