TC18 60" MMM

[TC18guy]

TC18 60\" MMM

The mounting plate for my mid-mount mower came loose on me a few weeks ago, all four bolts were gone and the mounting plate was hanging by the linkages. I put the tractor up on the ramps to check it out. 2 diagonal bolts had completely sheared and the opposite 2 were no where to be found. I'm figuring the 2 worked their way loose and the other 2 couldn't handle the stress by themselves.

I was able to remove one of the sheared bolts with an easy-out but the other bolt looks like it is there to stay. I broke the easy out inside the bolt. I replaced the 3 remaining bolts with grade 10.9 bolts (instead of 8.5 bolts) with lock washers. I was going to use thread locker, but later decided against it.

I'm a little nervous about the bolts not shearing next time and causing damage to the transmission housing. Any thoughts?

 

[jwstewar]

Re: TC18 60\" MMM

I have a love/hate relationship with my MMM. Love the funtionality but hate losing the pins, the lack-of-rear-discharge, and the loosening mounting plate. Unfortunately, I've had this happen - twice. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Guess I should've learned my lesson the first time and I didn't. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gifFirst Time and Second time I again Loctited, but I believe there is too much heating cooling there of the tranny causing the Loctite to be basically ineffective. What I've been going to do is have someone weld a small piece of angle iron to each bolt and using a stiff wire, "tie" the bolts together so they can't spin. Haven't done it yet though. That might be a project for this winter. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[KYTurkey]

Re: TC18 60\" MMM

Sounds like I'll be checking the mounting bolts on my MMM tonight... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[TC18guy]

Re: TC18 60\" MMM

This was actually the second time I bolted mine back up also. The first time I just figured it wasn't bolted tight enough at the dealer when they installed it. I never checked it again.

The drive shaft remained hooked up while the deck was down, but I couldn't finish mowing because I was actually running over the deck with the tires. I had to back up about 100 feet to the barn.

I was thinking I'd actually put a small spot weld from the bolt directly to the plate, I hadn't thought about tying them together. I'm worried that the 3 bolts might not be enough to hold it in place and I'm also concerned that the 10.9 bolts wouldn't shear & prevent damage to the transmission housing.

I've been through my share of replacement pins also. I try to make sure to get a washer on both sides of the pin, it does seem to help. I also lost almost all the bolts to both belt guards. Before I noticed they were coming out I only had 1 on each side. 1 got wedged between one of the pullies and the deck housing, the shaft kept turning but the belt didn't. I think that was one of the 2 times a broke the shear pin. I replaced the belt guard bolts with loc-tite and will keep an eye on them too! Probably the weirdest thing I had happen is I had a blade fall off in the middle of mowing. I'd never touched it before.

 

[kennyd]

Re: TC18 60\" MMM

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I broke the easy out inside the bolt. )</font>

Do you have a welder?
If you do, try putting a nut over the bolt, then weld the end of the broken bolt to the nut, wait for it to cool a liitle, then back out the bolt with a wrench. Then heat from the weld will help loosen the broken bolt.

 

[hazmat]

Re: TC18 60\" MMM

You might give one of the various penetrating oils a try. I've also heard that melting wax onto the threads can help loosten things up (never tried that)

 

[jwstewar]

Re: TC18 60\" MMM

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I've also heard that melting wax onto the threads can help loosten things up (never tried that) )</font>

Worst part about that is, it is under the tractor. You would have to get wax to run UP!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Maybe we could figure out a way to mount the tractor to one of those cool frame racks that they use for car restoration and flip it over /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif - might have to fold the ROPS though so it could be closer to the ground. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jwstewar]

Re: TC18 60\" MMM

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( This was actually the second time I bolted mine back up also. The first time I just figured it wasn't bolted tight enough at the dealer when they installed it. I never checked it again. )</font> Same thing here. I have really cranked it down both times that I've put it back on.


</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The drive shaft remained hooked up while the deck was down, but I couldn't finish mowing because I was actually running over the deck with the tires. I had to back up about 100 feet to the barn. )</font> The second time I was absolutely the farthest away from the garage that I could be and still be on our property. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I bet the nosy neighbors up on the hill that look "down" on us wondered why I was backing through the yard at a pretty slow pace. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Our lot is something like 600'X400'. I probably had to back close to 700' because of having to go at a diagonal. Took a few minutes.

As far as the pins, I've helped that too. I bought the "Blowtie" Pins from McMaster-Carr. But I've learned that if they get "sprung" throw them away as they will come out too. I've only lost one of the pins this year and that is why.

 

[TC18guy]

Re: TC18 60\" MMM

those pins look like a good idea. Did you order them or did you find them for sale somewhere?

looks like you can get them online for $5.36/50 qty.

 

[jwstewar]

Re: TC18 60\" MMM

I ended up ordering from McMaster-Carr. Searched around locally and nobody (well nowhere that I looked /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif) had them and finally lost another of the regular ones and paying $6 for a new 3/4" pin, I decided I had enough and ordered the Bowties. Watch out for the shipping charges though. If I remember right, it was something like $8 to ship out 2 little bags of these pins. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Hate paying $8 shipping for a $10 product. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif