Fighting suburbia in NC
Member
I was using my 63 SOS as a low-budget log skidder dragging oak tops out into the field to turn them into firewood this weekend when I noticed the crank pulley was starting to wobble. Since I had to get this wood split Saturday I went ahead and ran the pto-powered splitter while keeping an eye on the issue. I never ran more than 1200 rpm but I did run it for about 3 hours straight powering the splitter. In that time I got a decent ooze of oil going but the wobble did not seem to get any worse. There is about a 1/4" play on the outer edge of the pulley.
This was an old VA DOT sickle mower that has the hub and shaft for the now-gone front-mounted pump still on it (I could not get the shaft out when I took the pump off a while back) so I am wondering if that unsupported, and slightly wobbly, shaft has taken its toll. Probably didn't help that the front pivot is worn enough that the shaft is now almost touching the top of the pivot bushing, and that I managed to get the front wheels off the ground several times while skidding.
Since this tractor is 150 miles away I need some "bench-racing" advice on what I might need to take back up there to work on it the next time I head that way.
Could it be as simple as the crank bolt backing out? How much do I have to dismantle to get the hub off so I can replace the probably original front seal? And if the bolster has to come off I might as well plan on replacing the pivot and bushing while I am in there, I presume.
Any guidance much appreciated.
The good thing is that we got a little over 2 cords of firewood skidded out, cut, and split and it did not self-destruct. My Dad is almost 78 and my tractor is older than me and I think I am more wore out than either of them after Saturday's activities.
This was an old VA DOT sickle mower that has the hub and shaft for the now-gone front-mounted pump still on it (I could not get the shaft out when I took the pump off a while back) so I am wondering if that unsupported, and slightly wobbly, shaft has taken its toll. Probably didn't help that the front pivot is worn enough that the shaft is now almost touching the top of the pivot bushing, and that I managed to get the front wheels off the ground several times while skidding.
Since this tractor is 150 miles away I need some "bench-racing" advice on what I might need to take back up there to work on it the next time I head that way.
Could it be as simple as the crank bolt backing out? How much do I have to dismantle to get the hub off so I can replace the probably original front seal? And if the bolster has to come off I might as well plan on replacing the pivot and bushing while I am in there, I presume.
Any guidance much appreciated.
The good thing is that we got a little over 2 cords of firewood skidded out, cut, and split and it did not self-destruct. My Dad is almost 78 and my tractor is older than me and I think I am more wore out than either of them after Saturday's activities.