Where is the gearbox Made?

I think the China ones were the good ones.

The other was Spain ...maybe.

The Bad news........That gear box is like 2200$ or some crazy number.

Rebuildable ..I don't know.

A quick search here will bring up multiple issues with the MX6.

Track down if its your driveline or the GB.

Might be time to let it go and start over.

 

Thanks for your reply. The cutter cost $2250 in 2006, and I've previously replaced the PTO shafts and blades, so a new gearbox might be cost effective. How would I determine where the gearbox was manufactured? The serial number is W00MX6X022566.

 

Its possible that yours is old enough that its made in USA.

Look on the Gear box.......The Country of Origin is Cast right into the case If I remember correctly.

Theres a few guys here that have the 6......hopefully they can pop in soon and guide you further.

Might have a tag like this MX7

 

"Made in Spain"

 

Look at Lucas brand Hub Oil. If you read the back of the bottle it is acceptable for gear box type applications.
I have had very good luck with Lucas products. Just an idea for you.

 

I actually did this to an outboard lower unit that I was using commercially , just to get me through a busy few days until i could pop on a new lower unit . Well, low and behold , We got through the busy stretch , and the lower unit had quieted down and smoothed out , the boat was being used 10 - 12 hrs per day , that lower unit lasted another month before it popped, luck? I don't know.

 

I would try adding some good lubricants to the gear box to see if it helps with the noise. It sounds like what you are describing is a "friction noise" as the gear box starts to spin. Whether its a bearing or bushing, its likely from the internal components of the gear case.

How long ago has the gear oil in the case been changed? If its like my Frontier rear mower, there is no drain plug and you have to pull all of the fluid out of the gear box with an extraction tool and its hard to get all of the fluid out. If its a matter of changing fluid, its one thing, but if the old fluid has moisture in it, its hard to get all of the water out so it doesn't contaminate the new fluid when added.

I also run Lucas Gear Oil in the gear case on my rear rough cut mower..............I run the synthetic product but its a personal choice.

If you have an infrared temp gun, shoot the gear box after use and see what you get for a general temp and then shoot the areas where the bearing would be inside the case and see if there is a great deal of extra heat in that area, which would signify friction. I would check several components that way, to see what you find if there are any clear indicators something is dragging or causing the friction.

Does your mower have a slip clutch or shear pins in the drive line from the tractor's PTO?

The good news is the parts appear to be available to "rebuild" the gear box, but are they salty if you need any gears, etc. Individual gears are over $1,800 in some cases.....

Looks like the new gear case is between $1,200 and $3,700 depending upon some more details. The parts book is superseded with other replacements, etc. so finding the specific gear box or parts is going to take some careful research in the parts book......

 

Thanks @theduke , @stevenk , and @SulleyBear for your thoughtful replies. As the next step, I'll work on changing the gear oil and try out a Lucas Oil product. Might wait for this 100 F weather to break before checking this off my to-do list.

 

I wonder if the groaning/screeching sound is due to the bearings, bearings that are shot can make those noises and you have four of them in the gearbox. These would be open bearings, which should last for a very long time as long as there is enough oil and it isn't contaminated, and the shims haven't disintegrated. I would second changing the oil and see if new oil fixes the problem. You will need to suck the old stuff out the fill hole first as there is no drain plug. I would also look underneath the cutter and make sure nothing is wrapped or caked around the output shaft as this can cause noises particularly at startup as well.


If you do need to replace the bearings, they are about $200 for a set of four. I would certainly attempt to change bearings before buying a new gearcase as the gearcase is a few thousand, the bearings are a couple hundred.

 

Thanks, @mo1. I haven't checked the output shaft and will do so when I change the gearbox oil. Plan to do this maintenance in a week or two. I'll post my results. If I need to change bearings, hopefully it will be obvious how to swap them out.

 

Success! I think. I removed the top cover of the gearbox to siphon out the oil and inspect the gears and bearings. I didn't see anything amiss so I filled the box to the correct level with Lucas Hub Oil. I sealed the top cover with black RTV Form a Gasket, and checked that there wasn't anything wrapped around the blades or output shaft. The cutter no longer screeches on startup and it is quieter during operation. So far so good. The 14 year old gear oil was slightly dirty but not obviously degraded. I guess appearances can deceive. Thanks so much to everyone for your suggestions. I'll be ready to mow pastures once my schedule lightens up.

 

You ever figure out if theres a slip clutch in front of the gearbox.
Either as part of the gear box like the 709...or as part of the driveshaft?

 

It has a slip clutch between the PTO shaft and the input shaft of the gearbox. When watching the startup with the clutch uncovered, the screeching noise seemed to come from the gearbox and not the clutch.

 

I love it when a plan comes together

 

Darn, and I was just going to mention filling it with corn head grease; something I learned about last week here on GTT.🌽

 

Is there a Flip open Lid on top of gear Box to access this Clutch...??

 

Yes, the cover on the clutch flips open. It is located in front of the gearbox.

 

I'm gonna guess its integral to the gear box like my 709.

Treat it right..that unit is a couple grand by itself if its similar to a 709 setup.