SQ600 Stuck - Next Step

[djdowd]

Last April my bushhog SQ600 stopped turning. Your advice was to check for obstructions underneath. Well, I finally got around to it and there isn't anything I can see. So I guess the next step is the gearbox. That's where I could use some help on where to start. It's held onto the frame by 4 large nuts. Underneath, the blade is held on by a nut with a cotter pin. On top, there are 4 bolts along with an oil fill screw. On 1 side is what I'd guess to be an oil drain screw. Where do I start and what should I be looking for? Thanks.

 

[8934]

Does your mower have a shear pin, if so is it broken.

Can you manually rotate the blades from underneath?

Assuming that pto shaft is turning, but the blades are not, it doesnt sound good.

Many gearboxes have a bolt on cover on the top or side. If so I would unbolt cover and look in to inspect gears.

Good luck

 

[Sackett2]

Take out the top oil plug and see if there is oil in there, you should be able to feel it with a finger. if nothing then take out the lower oil plug, see if any oil is in there, and if there are metal chunks in the oil.
The PTO turns, the gear box changes directions. Your not specific (but I suspect) it cannot/will not turn. determine what is froze up.
On mine, I was able to remove the 6 bolts around the input shaft and pulled it apart. post a photo if you need more guidance.

 

[djdowd]

When I was underneath looking for obstructions, I was unable to turn it at all. It moved very very slightly each way, sort of the play you'd expect with gears that aren't moving.

I will do the oil check. I need to get the right size allen wrench to open it.

 

[djdowd]

Ok, I removed both oil screws and nothing spilled out. Got a flashlight and looked inside. Appeared empty - bad news. I'm surprised though. I've used this bush hog once a year for the past 2 years. Doubt it has more than 5 hrs use. Oh well, what's next?

 

[Willl]

Remove gearbox and rebuild or replace.

 

[RickB]

Ok, I removed both oil screws and nothing spilled out. Got a flashlight and looked inside. Appeared empty - bad news. I'm surprised though. I've used this bush hog once a year for the past 2 years. Doubt it has more than 5 hrs use. Oh well, what's next?

That's about how long the gearbox will last without oil.

 

[JoeinTX]

Sounds right.


Not piling on, dj, but it's best not to trust the dealer to do proper prep such as lube or fluid levels. Check everything, even after they've said they've done it, and keep doing so on a regular basis.


You can get a new gearbox from the dealer, Bush Hog themselves, or places like eBay. On eBay, the prices vary from $250-500 for everything ranging from rebuilt/used generic boxes that may/may not fit your rig (check bolt holes, etc.) to officially branded ones.

 

[Sackett2]

ALL of the attachments are shipped without oil, Count on that.
My hog lasted 6 hours......
On my hog I was able to unbolt the 6 or so bolts around the input shaft and remove it there. my upper shaft was gone; montana does not sell repair parts, only a replacement gearbox. In some cases, you might be able to take the gearbox down to a machene shop and have them rebuild it for you.

Steve

 

[djdowd]

I removed the top of the gearbox today. Was I surprised! From what I could see, There there wasn't a drop of oil anywhere. The walls and underside of the gearbox had slight rust. The gear had some rust. There were some small metal shavings at the bottom. Likely one of them is blocking the gear from turning. I'm beginning to think this thing never had oil put into it. Just can't believe a bush hog with 4 hours or so would've had a leakage problem. I keep it in a woodshed year round. Next step is to get a socket large enough to remove the blade nut. Then its off to the dealer. Don't know what to expect as I bought it 3 years ago. Is it reasonable to expect the dealer to have put oil into this - I'd think so!

 

[RonMar]

They are almost always shipped dry, with a real big tag(or two) that says that they must be filled before use. These tags are usually attached to the input shafting so they have to be removed before you can connect them up and use them. It probably says it in the manual also. I would imagine that some dealers do this prep work before they sell them. If they do not, they should be speaking up quite loudly that YOU must add the gear oil or it will fry, just to avoid any confusion and the resultant angry customers... The manual probably also says to check the oil occasionally... Even if the box had a leak, there should be some sign of oil in there as by nature gear oil is sticky to stay on and provide lubrication to the spinning gear teeth.

If it were me, I would start out my dealer visit by looking over the new brushhogs and when the salesman comes out to try and sell you one, ask about how they prep them and if it is ready to use. If he says they are ready to go to work, well then just reel in your fish and say something like "Oh Really, what about this gearbox on this brushhog I bought from you..." If they say that they prep them, then they should at least make an effort to help out, maybe go in on some of the cost of a new gearbox. Since it has been 3 years though, they will probably throw some blame back on you as the manual surely says to check the oil, at the very least seasonally when you spool her up for the first time that year.

Good luck

 

[JoeinTX]

"Is it reasonable to expect the dealer to have put oil into this - I'd think so!...."


One might think so, BUT, that ain't always the case and in fact is best to assume otherwise and doublecheck everything they do (or say that they've done.)


"Since it has been 3 years though, they will probably throw some blame back on you as the manual surely says to check the oil, at the very least seasonally when you spool her up for the first time that year....."


I would 100% bet on that being the case due the time passed and all. They'd also probably go back to the manual and ask the customer if he read the parts where it talks about routine maintenance and then point out all of the disclaimers and small print associated with not doing so.

 

[djdowd]

Well, I do accept some blame. Not sure how much though. Not that it does me any good as it my problem to deal with. I did pull out the paperwork/manual for the Sqealer and inside the front cover, the dealer put a check-off sheet with all the prep work done. One of the items marked "done" was to fill it with oil. I do notice the sheet was filled out (and signed) by the wife (husband/wife dealer).

So, my question is, what do you think the dealer should do when I walk in with the gearbox, paperwork, explained the situation and ask for help? That discussion will likely occur next weekend.

 

[JoeinTX]

"So, my question is, what do you think the dealer should do when I walk in with the gearbox, paperwork, explained the situation and ask for help? That discussion will likely occur next weekend....."


Well, how well do you know the dealer? Do you do a fair amount of business with him or was your last time there three years ago when you got the shredder to begin with?


If you have any type of relationship with him I would first plead ignorance and fault for never having checked it in all of this time but I would also point out the manual with the prep work indicated as having been done when you picked it up originally. A sticky point, may need to be careful here, is that since it was his wife that made-out the prep work in the manual it's tough to tell how the dealer will react. He might get offended or laugh out-loud and say something along the lines of "sounds about right for my wife" or some such. Who knows?

I wouldn't go expecting a lot and I'd take anything that they offered to me, honestly.

 

[CDsdad]

That's tough. I wouldn't expect much from the dealer, but would accept any help as stated above. He may have a good relationship with Bushhog and can get you one under warranty. I can't remember if BH has a 3 or 5 year warranty. I know Landpride has a 5 year on gearboxes.

 

[daBear]

Well, I do accept some blame. Not sure how much though. Not that it does me any good as it my problem to deal with. I did pull out the paperwork/manual for the Sqealer and inside the front cover, the dealer put a check-off sheet with all the prep work done. One of the items marked "done" was to fill it with oil. I do notice the sheet was filled out (and signed) by the wife (husband/wife dealer).

So, my question is, what do you think the dealer should do when I walk in with the gearbox, paperwork, explained the situation and ask for help? That discussion will likely occur next weekend.

Sorry, but I can't be on your side on this one. The pre operational check required before every operation is to loosen the allen nut on the side of the gearbox and see if oil runs out. If not add until it does through the top vent plug. Not that I do that EVERY time, but most times I do and I certainly know when it was serviced last. I recently bought a RDTH60 Bush Hog finish mower which sat on the dealers lot for over a year. He promised it had just been serviced by their maintenance dept. I checked the gearbox oil when I got home and it looked like milk. Needless to say from sitting in the open for months allowed water to get into the top plug and it was ready to fail.

You could have very easily had a gearbox full of water from rain and oil before you bought it, used the mower, and the over full box heated up and blew a seal dumping all the oil. Continue to operate without checking anything and there you go.

 

[Rara Avis]

Don't know what to expect as I bought it 3 years ago. Is it reasonable to expect the dealer to have put oil into this - I'd think so!

Well, it is reasonable to think that the dealer would have put oil in it...BUT at the beginning of every season according to John Deere on their rotary mowers...it is the responsibility of the operator to check the gearbox oil level...you'd have found this out at the beginning of your second season...added the oil and you might have saved the gearbox...

Here is another company's take...the section from KK Rotary manual
MAINTENANCE
1). Periodically check and maintain proper gear oil level.
2). Every 8 hours, wheel fork(s), wheel hub(s), PTO shaft universal
joints (2), and PTO telescoping surface. (See Figures M-1 & M-2)
NOTE: Use only a grade Type II tube grease.
3). Before each use check to make sure all safety features are installed
and working properly.
4). Keep blades sharp and balanced at all times. When replacing
blades, replace all blades and blade bolts at the same time.
5). Periodically check all nuts and bolts to insure they are tight and
secure.

 

[bjr]

Okay, yeah, your supposed to check the oil. But I would photo copy your reciept and the check list and if the dealer gives you any guff. write a short note and say what happened and send it to Bush Hog. The best that could happen is they help with parts and the worst is you wasted a little time writing and the cost of a stamp. If you do wind up buying a new box, check out Agri-Supply, they have some will fit boxes reasonably priced. bjr

 

[kthompson]

I have a Bushhog finishing mower. About the second year I had it, "I" overfilled the oil and the vent cap did not let it escape as fast as it expanded. Think it ended up clogged, not sure now. It blew the bottom seal out of the gear box and quickly drained the gearbox. Fortunate the oil was on top of the deck and quickly seen. Only cost me the effort to pull the gearbox and $50.

I agree the dealership should have filled the gearbox but also believe 3 years is long enough you just can not be sure they did not unless you can prove there is no leaks. So if you parked it the same place all the time look for signs of oil there, and if none tell the dealer that. I would not want to fill it with oil to test for leaks for that affects your claim they never filled it. BTW, was the breather cap installed? I think the dealership is suppose to install it when they fill it with oil. If they never install a breather cap I do not think the seal will last due to the oil expanding with heat of use. kt