NH TC33D 72" MMM locked up??

[Disciple4123]

NH TC33D 72\" MMM locked up??

I purchased a 350 hour TC33D with a NH MMM today. I took it out on some 3 foot hay and it cut fairly good for 200'. Then the engine began to lose speed, and three seconds later it stalled. Then efforts to engage the MMM resulted in stalling, at idle, in full throttle, etc. I checked and the rear PTO and it works, the mid PTO tries to twist when engaged (observed it from the side while my wife dropped the clutch), but clearly locks at the gearbox. Grabbing the PTO shaft and pulley on the gearbox allows no movement. The gearbox has a grease nipple on top of it that appears to be sheared off from long ago, i.e. it could have dried up cause the previous owner cannot lube it w/o a proper nipple. This unit has sat in a dealer's lot for 5 months, and has some dry rust all over the tractor (not much lubing going on). What advice would you have for opening the gearbox myself, or using a crowbar to try to twist it in the opposite direction to free it. Also the belt was loose when I was examining it after the failure. Is the belt normally loose when the mower is not engaged-running?

Thanks for any assistance.
Eric

 

[kensfarm]

Re: NH TC33D 72\" MMM locked up??

Did you check to see if anything(tall grass, string, cord, wire) is wrapped around the blades.

"Belt loose" did the belt slip off a pulley?

I'd check the easy stuff first.. it's most likely not the gearbox.. the only gearbox problems you hear about are usually leaking ones.

 

[thcri]

Re: NH TC33D 72\" MMM locked up??

Get the mower from out under neath your tractor. If you have a loader lift the mower up in the air. If you don't have a loader then get one?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Good opportunity to talk wife into loader.

All the fun aside I would try and get the loader in the air and check to make sure you don't have grass wrapped around the spindles. Yes then you could try backing it up some. Take the shields off and examine your belts. This seems like something simple to me more so than your gearbox. Also, the 914 MMM from New Holland is not designed to mow tall grass or alfalfa. Get your self a cheap bushhog. I think TSC has a good 5' for around $500 right now, or at least the last time I looked anyway.

murph

 

[Disciple4123]

Re: NH TC33D 72\" MMM locked up??

Well I took the gearbox off and it was locked up. It had a little white oil in it (water contamination) and a lot of metal shavings. I put two new bearings in it and a seal and it is as good as new. I guess the previous owner didn't keep up with oil levels. Thanks for the help. The belt had jumped off at the same time the gear locked up, that is why the belt appeared loose.

Also the MMM now runs fairly loud, i.e. must use hearing protection when it is engaged. Also the belt flutters in the center, visible, area. Is that normal? The three blade hubs were greased today and have a little bearing play, the tensioners are as good as new. Why is it so noisy? What is the proper tension for the belt?

Thanks,
Eric

 

[hazmat]

Re: NH TC33D 72\" MMM locked up??

Welcome to tbn.

Get yourself an owners manual, it will tell you how to tension the belt. Available from any NH dealer or direct from newholland tech pubs

Please don't use it in 3' of grass, it won't last very much longer... We'll have to report you for tractor abuse /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif You want a rotary cutter aka brush hog for that work.

 

[kensfarm]

Re: NH TC33D 72\" MMM locked up??

"the only gearbox problems you hear about are usually leaking ones. "

...and the ones w/out oil... glad you got it fixed!