Stump jumper castle nut cotter pin?

[Elkins45]

This spring I removed the stump jumper of my 5’ King Kutter rotary mower to replace the seal. I didn’t re-use the cotter pin because it was pretty well mangled, so I used the biggest one I had in my box o parts. I’m pretty sure it was a Harbor Freight special. Anyway, I installed it the “right” way as shown in this diagram I found somewhere on the internet today.

Yesterday afternoon my stump jumper fell off while I was mowing. Luckily it just dropped straight off and didn’t go spiraling thru my skull on the way out. I found myself a new castle nut and washer and bought the largest diameter good quality cotter pin that would fit. Because of the sort of abuse a rotary mower takes it made sense to me that leaving a leg of the cotter pin down past the end of the shaft exposes it to damage, so I installed this one the “wrong” way. It was only after installing it and mowing for an hour that I began second guessing myself and I found this diagram.

Does it make a difference? I contoured the legs around the bolt pretty well with a hammer. I suppose I could install a new one but I’m not certain that some diagram on the Internet is relevant to this particular application.

 

[bcp]

Bruce

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have seen more than one that was held in place by a bent nail.

 

[Elkins45]

I have seen more than one that was held in place by a bent nail.

Yeah, if I hadn’t bought a good cotter pin that was option C. Option B was a #6 bolt and some epoxy.

 

[Elkins45]

View attachment 670163 View attachment 670164

Bruce

These two seem in conflict.

 

[ovrszd]

I've never saw the problem you are having. Since I don't know exactly what your cotter pin looked like after your install it's hard to diagnose. The cotter pin isn't what holds the pan on. The nut does. The cotter pin only keeps the nut from spinning loose. So there's not a lot of stress on it. That's why they are made with soft metal.

So,,,, I have to assume that first, the nut wasn't tight. Second, the cotter pin was "thrown" from the shaft very quickly. So the nut was allowed to slowly spin itself off the shaft.

I'm betting this time you get the nut tight and secure the cotter pin!!!

 

[metalbender]

Torque specs should be followed. Usually till your elbow clicks, using a two ft cheater.

 

[ruffdog]

I normally put the correct sized cotter pin in 90 deg from what the pics show so the head fits in the groove in the nut. Then I bend both legs up toward the stump jumper. I never had one come out.

 

[WranglerX]

I normally put the correct sized cotter pin in 90 deg from what the pics show so the head fits in the groove in the nut. Then I bend both legs up toward the stump jumper. I never had one come out.

Yeah only with the correct size cotter pin.... Must have 200 pins in parts drawer, and never have the correct size.... Always seem to to have to use one sizer smaller.... But some times a nail fits just right.... Reminds me to order a selection of 5/32 pins in near future....

Dale