Woods RM600 cracked shaft

[jsr8011]

While preparing my newly acquired Woods finish mower for first use, I uncovered this crack in the gearbox input shaft after removing the pto yoke at the gearbox. I would like to know if there is any way to salvage this shaft without removing and/or replacing. New shafts are available, at Messick's they cost over $500. Is there any way to track down donor mowers or gear boxes easier than continually checking the internet?

Thanks for any help,

John

 

[BonaparteSouth]

my thinking would be to grind v in end of shaft and weld it. the yoke over shaft will keep it from splitting apart. unless you are using a powerhouse on it it will hold. PO must of had horse on it. better check the rest out real closely. she aint no virgin!!

 

[wore out]

If you could find a reasonable nearby machine shop, possibly a retired hobbyist/machinist to make you a new one you might be able to save some money. As to ''repairing'' it after it's been welded on it will likely snap off sooner or later resulting in a driveshaft thrashing about, I can't recommend that.

 

[caterpillar guy]

you can get new gearboxes of them. Probably Agri-supply for one place to look. There are others also. Online will yeild the best supply of them and you could with a new key keep to light use till the new box arrives.

 

[Stan Coryell]

The shaft is walloed in the middle. What connects to it? It might be worth brazing a key into the slot and filling the wallow. Then clean it up with a file (the shaft will have to come out of the gear box for this).

I doubt it's worth it. It would be temporary. More than likely the shaft will crack again. However, it would buy you some time to find a good used gear box.

Stan