[army]

My 400 loader thread got away on me. It was wandering around like little Billy in a Family Circus cartoon. I'm going to drop it and post some info and pics specific to the Brantly loader paint and repairs in this thread.

To summarize, I bought the loader last summer from WFM member Bob Morrison. He wasn't sure if it's a Brantly or a clone. No way to know for sure. That makes it a loader mutt I guess.

A test fit on one of my 400 tractors. It was partially dissembled at the time, then put back together, then totally disassembled again. That's another project for another thread though.

The loader mounted on a 400 for the winter. It will need a pump mount fabricated. Nick Holmes is kindly sending me some drawings for his 400 pump bracket.

I bought some 400 wheel weights from Big John Moore. The tractor was really light in the back end with no weight. It would spin the tires with an empty bucket. I also test fitted the front wheel hubs I got from Chuck Van Dusen and the V61's I got from Darrin Behm. The wheels are from the local surplus center and have since been painted JD yellow.

I'll post some more pics and info later and catch this thread up to where I am now with the project.


Army

 

[Mike P]

Hi, A friend of mine stopped by with an issue with his recently purchased 425. The mower deck doesnt appear to spin very fast. He did recently change the belt. I have a 332 and am not too familiar with this gear box set up on the 54 deck. I verified the RPM of the engine to be about 3,500 rpm. The shaft coming from the rear trans case back front to the deck is spinning at approximately 350 rpm. Does that sound right? Right now he is hopeful that the belt is just slipping but it was acting strange before he changed the belt. Any ideas? How much does the deck gear box increase the rpms from the drive shaft rpm. Could it be a issue with either the rear trans or gearbox on the mower?

 

[kencombs]

I believe the PTO operates at 2000rpm. If it is slow, the pto clutch or solenoid could be bad. Or, there is a seal under the rear cover, where the solenoid is attached, that could be leaking.

Do you know if the rear cover has been removed and reinstalled???

 

[Mike P]

Ken,

Dont know if the rear cover was ever removed. Should the drive shaft coming into the mower deck be spinning at 2000 rpm? If so thats definately his problem. Its only spinning at about 350 rpm.

 

[jdmaninlouky]

Yes Mike - The mid PTO should spin at roughly 2000 rpms' . If only 350 , his problem is in the rear axle somewhere . Low pressure , worn clutches , or bad seal at the O-ring in the rear plate could be suspected .

Dave

 

[Mike P]

Dave,

Thanks for the input. Thats what I was afraid of. He did mention that he had been pulling some rather heavy loads with a trailer before he started having issues. I was doubtful that it caused damage to the rear axle, but I could be wrong.

 

[vbosch]

I chased a similar issue not to long ago. The deck would slow down when it got into a heavier load. Replaced the clutch pack, no change. Eventually developed a fluid leak out the vent on the top right of the diff. Replaced the o-rings on the PTO brake, parts 3 & 4. Problem solved. Seems the brake was dragging the deck down due to low pressure, the larger o-ring did show wear and had a small nick in it.

 

[Mike P]

Randy, Looks like we are going to give that a try. Can the O-rings be replaced with the gear case in the tractor?

 

[vbosch]

The only part that needs to be removed is the three bolt cover over the brake springs. There's a lot of pressure on the cover, loosen the bolts evenly. I pulled the entire transaxle out just to be sure I put the o-rings into the receiving cylinder right. With the transaxle in the frame I couldn't see what I was doing.

 

[Mike P]

Thanks Randy

 

[Mike P]

Randy, we got the parts. One question I have concerns the larger O-ring (part 3). The ring appears to be really loose when in position. The smaller one is tight. We cannot get the assembly back in without the larger ring rolling off the shaft. Does this seem right. I would think it would be much tighter.

 

[vbosch]

Mine was the same, extremely loose. I worked it in with a dull straight seal pick and a lot of patience. I know, it doesn't seem right but everything worked as it should when I got it back together.

 

[Mike P]

Randy, thanks. Looks like the gear box will need to come out to get it in without damaging the o-ring. Will keep you posted.
Mike