Need some real help here guys. I have 2 mowers here, a 2010 x534, and a 2011 x540, both with 54" decks. I cannot keep bearings in the pto clutch, or the tensioning arm/transfer spindle- takes power from pto belt through a cast arm, down to a pulley on the bottom to drive the deck. The 534 has 70+ hrs. On it, and the 540 has 40+ on it. I have been through 2 pto assys. And 2 idler arms on the 534, and 1 each on the 540. This is unacceptable to me, even under warranty. I get 500-600 hours on my old 300-400series 50"/60" decks between rebuilds. The only thing deere can tell me is that i wash them too much. My tractors are blown off after each use, and given a full detail every 3-4 weeks in the mowing season. That is a complete wash and wax. I am known at the dealer as mr.clean, but i also know there is awaiting list for my trades, as each unit is traded every other year. Deere is telling me the bearing trouble is from moisture, but they are sealed bearings. They say it should only be washed once a year, i spend good $$$ for good equipment, and i expect it too last. Each time i wash, i blow them dry w/the leaf blower, then i run the deck until it gets good and warm. I have done this for 30+ yrs to all my tractors, and have never had an issue. Is this a deere quality issue, or is it me? All i know is that the neighbor next has a new 27hp/54" simplicity, and if this persists, i will own 2 of them by spring 2012.
Help needed,lifetime john deere faithful, losing the faith real quick.
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Does your equipment have American or Chinese made bearings..... American made bearing are surface hardened deeper and built to higher tolerances than scrap Chinese bearings. If you can.... take the bearings to a Berry Bearing store and let them measure them and sell you Timkin bearings, even at twice the cost they are a bargin when considering replacement time and costs.
Over greasing bearings is a no no, spindles with zerks on my equipment get one or two pumps a mowing season. The leaf blower along with the force of the water could be forcing water into the bearing housing causing moisture to develop.
My road trailer runs Timken. One frozen Chinese bearing on the highway is to-many.
Over greasing bearings is a no no, spindles with zerks on my equipment get one or two pumps a mowing season. The leaf blower along with the force of the water could be forcing water into the bearing housing causing moisture to develop.
My road trailer runs Timken. One frozen Chinese bearing on the highway is to-many.
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If its a water issue, why not put somce grease around the outside of the area where water would get into the bearing. It could help to seal up the bearing from water infiltration.
I hate to ask this, but could here be a set up issue from the dealer? Might something be too light or not in the right order? We see that a lot more than we should around here.
I hate to ask this, but could here be a set up issue from the dealer? Might something be too light or not in the right order? We see that a lot more than we should around here.
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Or, even an alignment issue. :unknown: It does sound a little odd.
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Mr Tackit....there is nothing sacred anymore, I bought some Timken bearings a few months ago,,,,made in china:thumbsdown:
editops..,they may have been fafnir
Timken manufactures some styles of its bearings overseas but to Timkin's specifications and under the watchful eye of Timkin associates. Investors don't care where they're made.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSXAKxTxRro
Have you dealer check dtac solution 88387. It talks about a new idler arm with improved bearings. Order Idler AM137197. Also have him check dtac solution 83739. It addresses possible causes of clutch bearing failures, including a different belt tension rod assembly to reduce pressure on bearings and also to check for run-out and alignment of sheaves.
thank you sir
the 54x deck is well built, just poor compents. it shares nothing with the 54" deck on the 100 series.
well i made the decision today, it is a damn sad day when you have to drop 10,000.00 to get a decent mower. i traded both tractors off for a new z910/54" and a new z925/60". i really dont have much use for zero turns, but they do cut grass well. i think the new z9's are built as good as any. my dealer told me that 500 series decks and pto clutches are just noisy, and that is the way it is. i told him i was going to park my 318 w/3000+ hrs. on it in his showroom, so he could show his customers how real garden tractors are built. the z9's were quite a bit cheaper than new 700 series, and will cut grass a little quicker i guess. i will never buy another new deere garden tractor again......and that really sucks. hopr to have thew new mowers within a week.
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I like most everything John Deere makes but when it comes to Zero turns I like these two best.
http://www.exmark.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProductType=10
http://www.hustlerturf.com/products/fastrak-super-duty.html
http://www.exmark.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProductType=10
http://www.hustlerturf.com/products/fastrak-super-duty.html
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You will love the Z900's. I have a 60" 920 and it has been great. My buddy has a mowing business and runs exmark. He borrowed mine when his broke and he swears his next purchase will be deere. I did not spend the extra coin for mulch on demand, but sometimes i wish i would have.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk
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Its too bad something else couldn't have been done to rectify the 500s. Congrats on the Zs, are either of those decks 7Irons? Sorry I don't know too much about the Zs!:unknown:
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Do you own one? How many zero turns have you owned? How many different brands have you owned?
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