rear drive gears stripped

BrettW · Jul 26, 2002

Is this common if you dont use an overdrive clutch w/ a finish mower?

pasted from another post....

"do not do this, it stripped my rear drive gears. I am still learning about tractors but this was a good lesson. "

BTI · Jul 26, 2002

It probably is if you like to slam on the brakes and throw it in reverse and vice-versa. You are stopping alot more than just 2 tires. With a little care you don't need an overrunning clutch with a finish mower.
BTI

gbirky · Jul 26, 2002

I think we are talking about two different things. The overrun clutch is normally only required with a rotary cutter (bush hog). The rotary cutter has alot more momentum than a finish mower. The pto is direct geared to the rear wheel drive even with the clutch depressed. If you are mowing with the rotary cutter, moving at a good speed, then put in the clutch and slam on the brakes, you can actually stop the rear wheels, but the momentum of the cutter is still trying to turn the wheels. Something has to give - in most cases, the brakes don't actually stop the wheels, and the tractor keeps going - through whatever is in the way. This is a very dangerous situation. If the wheels are stopped by the brakes, then the mechanicals must give somewhere - that is how the rear gears get stripped.

Greg

BrettW · Jul 26, 2002

greg, is a rotary cutter the same thing as a bush hog?

gbirky · Jul 26, 2002

Bush Hog is a brand name. However, because Bush Hog brand rotary cutters are so popular, the term "bush hog" is now used to refer to rotary cutters of all brands. Sort of the same thing as "kleenex" facial tissues.

There is a BIG difference between a rotary cutter (sometimes called a rough cut mower) and a finish mower. The finish mower is designed to mow a lawn, while a rotary cutter is designed to cut brush and long grass (and is often used to cut saplings as big as 1-2" in diameter, along with the ocassional rock).

Greg