Rhino 172 problems and questions

[Ahall22]

Hello to all just a newbie here with some questions. I have a rhino 172 bush hog and when new it worked fine and in the thick stuff the clutch would slip. After some age but not neglect the clutch doesn't seem to be working. It now only shears the shear bolt. I can't bush hog a hay field with nothing larger than 1/4 inch and eventually it will shear. I have kept everything greased but have noticed the shaft is worn considerable. The hub behind the clutch where the shear bolt is located is worn and has all kinds of slop in it. Any advice and help is much appreciated!

 

[Herkypilot]

Sounds like you've never adjusted the spring tension on your slip clutch and it's too tight. Take a look in your owner's manual for the cutter. It should explain how to check for proper spring tension by adjusting the nuts around the clutch. If your cutter stays outside for storage, it may also have some corrosion on it keeping it from slipping. I'd loosen all the nuts and start the tractor/engage the cutter and ensure it's slipping real easy, then turn it off and adjust the spring tension to spec. That should do it.
As far as worn parts, you may also want to use the manual to look at the parts you need to replace.

HP

 

[Baby Grand]

Second what Herky said! Slip that clutch to clean up the friction surfaces, then adjust it to grab when you want and slip when you need.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

In case you don't have an Operator's Manual, here's a link to one. Go to pages 5-11 and 5-12 for info on setting the slip clutch spring tension.

http://support.servis-rhino.com/RhinoManuals/operator/00781400C%20172%20OPS%20PUB%2008-12.pdf

 

[GManBart]

The springs on the clutch are considered a wear item that need to be replaced periodically....I'm probably going to replace them on my Rhino in the spring. R,

 

[ovrszd]

The springs aren't the problem. The problem is that his clutch has seized. A slip clutch cutter should always be loosened as Herky described, and slipped in the Spring before starting and then retightened to specs. This becomes extremely important on larger cutters and will save broken blades or worse, broken gear boxes.

 

[GManBart]

The springs aren't the problem. The problem is that his clutch has seized. A slip clutch cutter should always be loosened as Herky described, and slipped in the Spring before starting and then retightened to specs. This becomes extremely important on larger cutters and will save broken blades or worse, broken gear boxes.

That's the most likely scenario, but I've seen one where the springs rusted pretty badly, so they wouldn't give at all, and the clutch wouldn't turn. They were probably too tight to start with, but my guess is a lot of folks run theirs tighter than they should be.

 

[ovrszd]

That's the most likely scenario, but I've seen one where the springs rusted pretty badly, so they wouldn't give at all, and the clutch wouldn't turn. They were probably too tight to start with, but my guess is a lot of folks run theirs tighter than they should be.

At the beginning of the season, after I've slipped and reset the clutch I mark it with a Sharpie, then later at a glance I can see if it's slipping some or if I've got it too tight. I also touch the clutch after running to see if it's hot which would indicate I've got it too loose.