I really needed to bush hog the paths through my 9 acres of woods, the tractor has been out of commission for over 2 years. My 60" rotary cutter had bee sitting in the dirt for at least that long as well. I hauled it into the shop to assess the damage to the implement. The previous owner stored everything under a tree and it was caked in mud and leaves when I purchased it. I used it for 2 years in pretty rough condition.
Well the 2 years that I have let it sit didn't do the thing any favors. Top deck rusted through in multiple areas. Rear wheel wouldn't pivot on the caster. Bearings in rear wheel completely worn out, one side was missing the balls in the bearing. Gearbox was dry, no fluid.
I got the rear caster pivot to break free and start to mover with a pipe wrench. Greased it all up and that works now. The rear wheel assembly needs replacing. I can weld new deck steel without too much difficulty, only time which I don't have much of with the new baby.
I filled the gearbox with 80W-90 and it came out the bottom as fast as I could pour it in, the bottom seal is completely blown out. I really wanted to use the implement is I could get it to at least a useable state, so my neighbor recommended an old farmers trick, pump the gear box full of bearing grease then add a little gear oil to make a pudding type consistency. That seemed to hold.
I used it very carefuly and taking multiple breaks to try and not heat up the gearbox too much, and it seems to work ok.
My question is this, since I essentially need to repair the entire unit, repair or replace? I need to:
1) Rebuild the Gearbox, at least new seals
2) Weld new deck together
3) Replace rear wheel assembly - Roughly $80 locally at TSC
4) Still have a 20 year old unit that has been abused.
Thoughts? New or Used Replacement? Keep using it as is and repair over winter when time may be more available?
.
