My Tractor Died

[drmorris]

I was hoping for some advice on what to do about my BX that I feel like I destroyed on Friday. The MMM shaft came off at the tractor end at about 3/4 throttle and proceeded to beat the daylights out of the underside of the tractor. The Tranny filter? and what looks to be some sort of resorvior took the brunt of the punishment spewing what seemed to be a never ending supply of Hydro fluid all over the ground. Now nothing works (steering, 3pt hitch, etc.). I understand why it doesn't but I need some advice. Here it goes1. Can I push or pull the tractor without damaging the tranny when there is no fluid in it? It is stuck at the front of my property.2. Does anyone have any idea what resorvior (white plastic) I may have damaged under the tractor?3. Should I try to repair the broken parts myself or have it looked at by a service tech. I am very mechanically inclined and can fix most things but have never worked on a tractor?4. What else should I check for damage besides the mower shaft which took a beating as well?Thanks in advance, you all seem to be very knowledgable and helpful.I would have liked my first post to be about something else besides a problem.drmorris

 

[smthng2do]

Well, it isn't good to tow an HSD, especially with no oil in it. However, in your situation, you may have to. When you do the tow, just go as slowly as possibly, and be sure to put everything in nuetral. Hopefully you only knocked off the filter, and you didn't break the filter housing. The white plastic part sounds like it is the secondary fuel tank, which is really not that complicated to replace. First thing is to get the walk through deck cover off so you can get a better look at what damage has occured. Then you have to start your break down of what needs to be repaired or replaced. Kinda hard to say what all is broken in there. The plastic may also be the HST cooling fan, I have seen these broken already, it is mounted to the input shaft from the rear of the engine to the HSD. Get that walk-through deck off and see what's goin' on. I hope it isn't bad. Sorry to hear about it.

 

[upgw]

Who put the PTO shaft on? If the dealer installed the deck, and you haven't had it off, I think they are responsible for the repair(s). Otherwise, I think it would be on you. Doesn't really sound like anything serious is damaged, just a tank and the filter, maybe the PTO shaft itself. If you need the tractor quickly, you are probably better off having the dealer make the repairs.. things take longer when you do them yourself..

I'll make sure to triple check mine... I've had my PTO for the PHD come off, but so little momentum that nothing bad happens.

- Patrick W.

 

[Harv]

<font color=blue>I would have liked my first post to be about something else besides a problem.</font color=blue>

Are you kidding? Tractor problems are the life blood of this forum. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

No kidding -- being somewhat of a tractor neophite myself, I can't offer any assistance on this one, but I bet by this time tomorrow you'll know more about what to do than half the dealers would. The TBN brain trust is something to be reckoned with, and you did absolutely the right thing by tapping into it.

Oh -- and welcome aboard!

 

[lrunge]

That happened to me on my BX22 after I had it for a couple of weeks. I had the mower deck off and when I replaced it I apparently didn't have the PTO shaft latched completely and it came off while mowing. The only damage was that it punched a hole in my filter and the HST fluid leaked out. I immediately replaced the filter and the fluid. No problems since then and that was over 30 hours tractor time ago. I now leave my MMM attached since the PTO shaft is so hard to connect. I've been able to use the FEL and Backhoe with the MMM atached without any problems.
Hope yours is just the filter and fluid.

 

[ronjhall]

DPM

If you need to tow your tractor a short distance, you can put the high-low selector in neutral position. This should disconnect the hydro trans from the rear axle. Also make sure the FWD selector is neutral.

Make sure you hook to the frame at front of tractor not any of the steering components.

There was a thread on a BX Mid-PTO shaft coming disconnected a few months ago. I don’t remember the results of that post. But a search for Mid-PTO should find some information.

My Mid-PTO hooks up very easy. With the mower lowered. I lay on a creeper at rear of tractor. Then reach up and forward toward Mid-PTO. I can get a good look at shaft and make sure it is on correctly. I do this without an attachment on 3PH. When you get your tractor fixed give this a try. I have a 2910 that has more ground clearance than your BX. But it may still be possible on the BX.

 

[rdricks]

I had issues getting the mid-PTO connected at first. Unfortunately for me, I cannot reach up from the rear on the BX2200 (I cannot get my hands in there). But I have started to have much more success lately - I lay on the side of the tractor, put the PTO shaft in position, then spin the belt until the PTO shaft lines up correctly. This has greatly reduced my aggravation, and decreased the amount of time it takes to get the mower installed!

 

[drmorris]

Turned out it was the secondary fuel tank that was hit by the shaft along with the transmission filter. Thank you all for the help. Harv, as you said it was figured out right here on the forum. The pain in the rear end so far has been getting the secondary tank off. It has 5 hoses connected to it in very tight quarters. Non the less I prevailed and got the new one ordered this morning. Nothing else was damaged. Once the tranny filter was off I inspected the filter housing and it too was fine. The locking collar for the MMM shaft was "persuaded" back into an acceptable and very usable form. Once I fill it with fuel and fluid it should run like it should. I will check that shaft regularly from now on.DPM

 

[hazmat]

<font color=blue>The locking collar for the MMM shaft was "persuaded" back into an acceptable and very usable form. </font color=blue>

How much "persuading" did you have to do? I'd be leary of beating/bending/banging something back into shape that spins at 2,000 RPM. Periodic checks are in order. You may have to replace the shaft - or maybe you can get the collar only.

Be sure to start at a low RPM the first time.

Good luck & Happy tractoring.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I have had mine off and on several times. I always make sure it snaps when I put it back on. I spray mine with grease whenever I have it off and make sure the locking collar works real easy... Once it's locked on it shouldn't come loose. Make sure the ball bearing inside the collar is actually working and the collar is locking it..... Maybe you have a defective shaft.......

A friend of mine had his come off but he lucked out with no damage. Hope mine never does...... Good luck, Tom