New 4520 with cab, heater hose chaffing

eepete · Sep 30, 2009

Just registered tonight. Took delivery on new 4520 with cab a few days ago. I noticed that where the heater hoses (black with blue strip, I'm guessing heater) go up into the cab, they cross a large metal bracket that holds the cab. This happens on each side on the front of the cab. With just 6 hours, these hoses have small (.01" or so ) cuts from the sharp bracket. I put spiral wrap and 1.5" electrical tape on them so there will be no more damage.
I've enjoyed reading all the posts here, look forward to more, and wanted to share this 1st feedback so that other cab owners could check their rigs for similar problems.
Thanks again to all who post, getting educated is a wonderful thing. When I have pix I'll post them.

jenkinsph · Oct 1, 2009

Welcome to TBN!

Thanks for the heads up I will check mine tomorrow.

Nice tractor too, are you going to add front weights? I have 6 of the 70# weights on mine and it handles the MX6 great.

Steve

eepete · Oct 1, 2009

I've got 6 42# weights for the front. I had the weights from the 318 tractor where I have a bracket on the back and use them when working with snow (not a common event down here). It's odd- the ballasting number for the MX6 is a code 82. In the 4520 manual, it would take 10 70# weights to meet that. Yet you see the MX6 on these things with no weights all the time. So I'll see how it behaves and then decide if I have to get a weight bracket and 70# weights. This is the exact sort of information exchange I'm looking for here. Knowing it works OK with 6 will help if it's a bit squirrelly with the 42# weights.
They all look nice when they are new, but add some dirt, a few scratches and some wear and tear and then you know you appreciate them.
The sickle bar broke after 2.5 hours of use. It popped in 4" of grass, so it has to be an infant failure or initial assembly error. I greased it and check all the bolts at 2 hours, they were fine. It popped yesterday, dealer is picking it up today, can't complain about that. These things happen...

sunnyside360 · Oct 1, 2009

Welcome to TBN and congrats on your new tractor. I have the same sickle bar mower and haven't had a bit of trouble after more than 100 hrs of use. I keep it greased as per the manual and touch up the cutter sections when needed. Good luck with your new equipment.

eepete · Oct 1, 2009

Sunyside: Tnx for the info on your cutter. Nice to know it's a good product, I just have an early failure (and that's what warranties are for).
jenkinsph: Here's a pix of the hose and my fix on the right side of the tractor.