Bush-Hogging Issue

[Rob In FL]

First of all, thanks to everyone who helped Katharine and I with our (what turned out to be) '68 Ford 3400 (as opposed to what we thought was '75), changing out the oil from what we think was 10w30 that the last owner was using, to diesel rated 15w40 practically stopped the slobbering problem and helped with the smokiness...

As suggested we worked her pretty hard after changing the oil, and she came through as a trooper. We still have some issues, like a leak that looks like power steering fluid from somewhere near the steering column dripping down between our feet though I haven't gotten under there to look yet, and the starting problem now appears to be nothing more than the fact that instead of a heavier battery it was fitted with a car battery...

The main thing we have an issue with now, though, is the bush-hog, it looks like it's leaking fluid from the fill/drain plug, and at the last few moments started to make a grinding noise before we shut it off real quick.

Is it common for the plug to work it's way loose, and what fluid/oil do we need to refill it with?

Any help greatly appreciated...

Thanks!

 

[Anonymous-0]

Dealer told me when we bought a new Rhino to fill it full of gun grease. Never had a minutes problem with the gearbox on the mower and the owners now I am sure are having no problems with it. Same story with the gearboxes on hay rakes packem full of gun grease.

 

[big hunter]

I'm not sure that grease in the gear box is that good of a thing. From what I have heard (not first hand experience) is that if you put grease in the gear box and then run it how will the grease get to the top bearing, and the second thing is, in the winter the grease will get glased/hard if you don't use it. My cousin has several NH rakes and he said that he has had problems with the bottom bearing going bad because of the glased/hardening thing. I think if it were me I would make sure the bearing is good and replace the seal and go with gear oil. Do the bush hogs and rakes have breathers on them? Just my 2 cents.

 

[Anonymous-0]

in your hot area i would use 140 transmission oil so all the bearings get good lube grease is not the answer if they wanted to use gun grease zerks would be there instead of a plug to fill with the 140.

 

[Anonymous-0]

You can use Corn head grease it is thicker than oil but not as thick as gun grease. probably used 80-90 or 85-140 from the factory.

 

[Anonymous-0]

If it's making a grinding noise then you may be needing a new gear box ,a new box is cheaper than rebuilding the one you have if it's shot .also raise it up and block it up real good then crawl under it and see if the seal on the bottom of the box is leaking as well thats the most common problem with most bush hogs .

 

[Mitch Furness]

http://www.bare-co.com/files/pto2002/selgearbox.htm

Rob see attached a link to Bare-co rotary cutter gearbox website. Use this if you need a new box. I would not use gearbox oil as it was said earlier you cannot ensure that all bearings are covered in it especially at the top. Are you sure that the shroud underneath gearbox is not caught on the shaft where it protrudes through the floor of the slasher.

Pleased your Ford is running smoother.

Cheers

Mitch

 

[Mike Van]

Down there in the heat of Florida, I'd skip the multi vis. oil and use straight 40 or even 50 wt. oil in that engine. I always thought the multi was thinner. I had an old Wisconsen on a baler, if you put multi vis. oil in, it blew smoke everytime the plunger went in.

 

[Leland]

There is nothing wrong with using 15-40 if you buy a good brand like shell that has been tested from the arctic circle to the hottest desert .and shell has a lube failure warranty that shell does back up I know people that they have bought new engines for

 

[caterpillar guy]

The corn head grease mentioned is not a regular gun grease but rather a grease for use in the gear box on just that JD cornheads very soft and pliable not stiff like gun grease and won't leak out of an oil seal like oil. Sort of the best of both worlds. Should be great for something like a bush hog drive box with the continuos running like a corn head.Kind of pricey though I think haven't bought any in a long time. Oil for gear boxes should have a GL-5 rating or better though.