New Holland 488 cutter drive

SHALER · Sep 11, 2021

Or wobble box maybe? My 488 began making an unusually loud noise after cutting maybe 10 acres. It appears to be coming from the cutter bar drive. In the picture you can see grease to the left of the drive pulley. The grease appears to have very fine metal pieces in it. any suggestions? I am guessing a bearing or some such disintegrated. I looked at the parts diagram. There are other bearings in the drive box. Is this one of those deals where you replace them all 'while you are in there? Is this a relatively easy disassembly/replace/reassembly?

Bret4207 · Sep 11, 2021

(quoted from post at 09:41:49 09/11/21) Or wobble box maybe? My 488 began making an unusually loud noise after cutting maybe 10 acres. It appears to be coming from the cutter bar drive. In the picture you can see grease to the left of the drive pulley. The grease appears to have very fine metal pieces in it. any suggestions? I am guessing a bearing or some such disintegrated. I looked at the parts diagram. There are other bearings in the drive box. Is this one of those deals where you replace them all 'while you are in there? Is this a relatively easy disassembly/replace/reassembly?
<img src=https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto100733.jpg>

It's not rocket science, but it does require, IMO at least, having the shop manual and following the specs. If any of the holes for the bearing are chewed up, just start looking for a used wobble box. Those things need all the bearing support they can get. Been there, done that, got the tee short and ended up buying a new/used wobble box!

Bruce from Can. · Sep 12, 2021

Have you looked at the bearing in the end of the knife ? Once they start to go , they make a loud knocking sound.. And if you choose to rebuild the wobble box, the only place you can get the necessary parts , bearings etc is from NH. No one can make aftermarket bearings that will fit a NH

SHALER · Sep 12, 2021

Thanks Bruce. No, I did not check the knife for two reasons----#1 is that the knife bushing is not terribly old, maybe 5 or 6 years. #2-- the grease with the metal filings in it made me focus on the wobble box. All that said, I will check the knife bushing. And BTW, my preliminary parts list for bearings etc looks to be under $200.....not the worst equipment repair bill I've ever had for sure.

tom upton · Sep 14, 2021

When u get it rebuilt I would suggest greasing the wobble box every 2 or 3 acres. They like lots of grease. dozen or more pumps each side. also 3 or 4 on the bottom flange/pivot bearing, and 6 or 7 on the grease fitting behind the pulley. Over the years I have only had to replace the bottom flange pivot bearing once.

New Holland 488 cutter drive

SHALER

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Bret4207

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Bruce from Can.

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SHALER

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tom upton

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