Rotary Cutter Drive Shaft Sheared!

[beenthere]

Does this unit have shear bolts or a slip clutch? From what I've read, one issue for those with slip clutches is that owners never adjust/reset them, so the clutch plates freeze (rust?) together and don't slip properly. When this happens, something else has to give. I guess a sheared shaft is likely a bit better than stripping all the gears, though!
Did the blades hit/damage the deck at all?
BOB

My thoughts same as Bob's.
And thinking from the description, it is the spindle shaft and not the drive shaft that broke.
Good idea to take it to Deere, get it fixed, and a lesson for everyone to adjust the PTO drive shaft clutch. (even then, a poor shaft makeup can fail)

 

[Haoleguy]

Yes it is the spindle shaft and not the main drive with slip clutch. I did not know that one needs to adjust the slip clutch...what does one adjust? The spring load on the slip clutch seems to be fine and not fused. Called dealer this morning and the spindle with gear costs ~$500. Whole gear box is ~$1000. Took a look into gearbox and all seems to be fine in there. From the Deere parts catalog the looks relatively straightforward for me to fix this in the field as I have no cover and the parts seem to be bearing rings, snap rings , shims, seals, and caps. By the time the parts get to me the temperatures should have lowered to the 80s and it won't be so bad. All my tractor issues hit me when its either really hot or quite frigid....not complaining just a fact.

 

[beenthere]

Haoleguy
Adjusting the clutch amounts to loosening it to the point it will slip, then re-tightening it to where it will hold a normal load but slip if the load is excessive.
Yes, it leaves one in a catch 22.
The idea being that over time, the plates can fuse (rust?) together, and not slip when the excessive load is encountered.
A search here will bring up a number of posts on the slip clutches. Also, the manual should have the routine for adjusting the Deere clutch.

 

[Haoleguy]

Well I decided to drop by my dealer this afternoon to inquire a bit more about the fix. Turns out my MX5 is an earlier version and the only option at this point is to change entire gearbox and the turntable. The upside is my blades are still good ......yipee. I'm having my dealer do the work as this is a first time for them and could not give me good guidance on the changeover. Ironically another customer called my dealer about his broken MX5. Must be the heat.

 

[sweettractors]

Hawkline 5 ft Brush Hog $895, shearpin protected or $995 with slip clutch. I bet the Deere repair bill will be more that the price of a new cutter? Ken Sweet

 

[Dead Horse]

$500 for the gear st is highway robbery.especially since they are obviously NOT made of unobtainium!

What the heck is deere thinking???????? They act like they are Harley Davidson or something!

The reason you have to go with a new gear box is deere stopped installing that gear box becaause it failed a LOT. They use to warranty it!!!!!!!!!! I had one replaced by them for free, with the new model gear box.

You are getting hosed by deere. Not very impressive................... I for one am done buying deere, they done wore their welcome out......

 

[Ford tractor]

Hawkline 5 ft Brush Hog $895, shearpin protected or $995 with slip clutch. I bet the Deere repair bill will be more that the price of a new cutter? Ken Sweet

No kidding! It's not like the Deere cutter is that much better. I'd closely check the estimated bill and compare prices on new ones. Woods Brush Bull, Bushog, even the KK HD cutter. Not at all uncommon for a repair to exceed the cost of a new unit of equal quality.

 

[gauthier]

Think kk 5ft is about 800.[mines worked with no problems for last 10 years or so,do alot of cutting every year.]

 

[bjr]

Unless the wallet is pretty fat, I'd check with Ken's deal or anyone of the "other manufacturer's". Deere's quality is only worth there warranty and your're seeing what that's worth. I've had good service from my Bushhog Razorback 5', mowing mostly grass and some brush. Blades aren't too expensive either. bjr

 

[gauthier]

Just got a magizine called agri supply[www.agrisupply.com],they got 40 hp gear boxes for 99.95,course with shipping and such,it would be a good bit more,but evidently thats what they are worth.