Woods gearbox gives out again

[Robert_in_NY]

another view

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Vent holes

 

[mgrick]

I've had a few issue's with my new Woods BB60.I noticed after I broke my 2nd sheer bolt that the paint on the gear box housing was all tacky and sticking to my hand.It's either got some bad paint or I'm getting some heat from the gear box to melt the paint.

Second I noticed as in the earlier post that that the dealer also left the quick hitch bolt in.Only not in the second hole of the float link but in the second hole of the A frame just under where the float link bolts on at the top of the A frame.Good thing I saw this thread before I had a chance to use the mower much.By leaving the quick hitch bolt in it was stopping the the float link in it's down ward travel.I've had some trouble with this thing as others have with it floating or following the uneven terrain that I have to mow.The only thing that helps is if I lenghen the top link some to keep the back down,but then I have to shorten it to cross the brook in order to gain some height when I lift it to transport.I can see where a hyd. top link would come in handy.


Rick

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color="blue">...oil is to the proper height ... </font>

Hi Robert...

For some reason, it seems there is way too much oil in the gearbox... in order to expand that much...

If the oil is being forced under heat/pressure to do that what you can see on the top of the gearbox...

Imagine, what it is doing to the main seal on the bottom of the gearbox... that you CAN"T SEE... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

(for a test... I'd remove 1/2 the gearbox oil to allow more room for expansion and run the cutter for the 2 hours or so...)

(your vent with 5 million holes... still appears to be restricted/clogged... I didn't see a speck of oil anywhere released from the vent... remember that oil under intense pressure will take the path of least resistance... it should be pouring out of that vent assy and nowhere else!...I don't believe that's working properly... )

 

[JohnMiller3]

Robert... one other thought...

Did you remove the entire "vent plug assembly"? Can you visibly see from the top of the gearbox down... and make sure of no restrictions in the gearbox top itself...

Now disassemble the vent assembly... can you see through the bottom section... no restrictions?

I still feel you have a malfunctioning/in-op vent assy, and possibly too much oil in the gearcase... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[JerryG]

Robert,
I'm with John. The oil should be coming out of the vent not the sides of the box. Something appears to be plugged. I would unscrew the plug and make sure it is clear. Check your manual to see what the depth of oil should be.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Hi John, the oil is set about halfway up the gears in the box (exactly the way Woods spells out in the Owners manual). The vent plug is completely clear as I had removed it and inspected it when I drilled it out. The oil should be coming out of there but it isn't which baffles me. Right now my father is using the chopper and I am about to head down again to check on it. I will take my camera and take pics of the bottom side of the vent plug. There is a spring and a ball inside the valve but it moves freely as I checked to make sure that was not the problem. I know others have had this same problem as my dealer told me shortly after I bought it that some of the other MD owners drilled out the vent straight down (most likely to remove the ball and give the heat a easier escape out). I don't want to just put a big hole in the top of the gear box though so I will look things over again and let you know what I find. Talk to you again in a few hours. Later.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Here is a pic of the vent. You can see the ball valve in the pic. Nothing blocking it. The oil is still down to the correct level and all the bolts are tight. I am still baffled but am getting frustrated with this chopper. I shouldn't have to alter the gearbox design to get it to work properly. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color="blue">...I shouldn't have to alter the gearbox design to get it to work properly.... </font>

I agree Robert... you shouldn't have to be the "test pilot"...

But before we throw in the towel just yet... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Remove the entire vent valve assembly... completely... put a piece of masking tape over the hole and punch a hole in it for venting... now take the baby out for a two hour cutting stretch... you better see the gear oil "bubbling" out of that taped hole... and not a single drop oozing from the gearbox gaskets... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[bgott]

See if you can beg, borrow or steal an infrared thermometer. That is one of those pistol grip point and shoot thermometers. That way you can run the cutter a couple of hours and see exactly what temperature you are reaching. Then maybe someone else that has a cutter and a thermometer can check theirs and you can compare. It would be nice to have a base line of the temperatures these gearboxes run.