5 Things to Know Before Buying Rotary Mower Gearboxes

OklahomaPosted a couple weeks ago about rebuilding a gearbox on a rotary mower I borrowed from my Dad. Found out that when I took it apart it didn't have a shim in it that it was suppose to have. Ordered a shim and gasket, when I got them found out they were made of office paper. Both were torn when they arrived, I salvaged one but it didn't make any difference. So I made my own shim and had a tube of gasket maker. Put this all together and let it sit a couple days. Got it put back on the mower deck, filled it with gear oil today, and took it for a spin. Mowed about 20 minutes and stopped to check things out. Oil is seeping out the fill plug and input side, back side looks fine, but the gearbox is already hot to the touch (can hold it on the box but don't want too for long ). There is still oil in it but how hot should it run? I am not ordering anymore parts from the company, I have had it with them. But would it be worth it to get the gasket fabric and replace it? Or had this hair brained idea to back the gearbox full of grease.

Any ideas on what to try other than donate this junk as a boat anchor? Need a mower ASAP but also need to get this fixed and just give it back. Thanks.

  Aug 26, / Need a new gear box for rotary cutter #1  

smont

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new holland tc33d

Yeah so I've neglected my brush hog and it looks like the gearbox locked up, it's bone dry in there so I suppose I'll need to replace it. I think the cutter is a "Big Bee Agri-Five." I'm not sure what gear box i need. Pulling it with a New Holland TC33D. I'm assuming I need a 35-45hp rated gearbox since the tractor is 30hp? I can't find any lower than 35hp. Thanks guys, I've attached a pic if that helps

  Aug 26, / Need a new gear box for rotary cutter

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#2   OP S

smont

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new holland tc33d

Ok, I updated it. You planning on mailing me one?   Aug 26, / Need a new gear box for rotary cutter

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#3   OP S

smont

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new holland tc33d

Is there anyone that can actually help me with my specific question please?   Aug 26, / Need a new gear box for rotary cutter #4  

radios1

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I found this. * BIG-BEE METAL MANUFACTURING,
INC.
Boyd Grimes
P.O. Box 147
Tremont, MS
: 662-652-
Fax: 662-652-
Rotary Cutters, Cultivators & Plows, Land
Levelers, Trailers, Wagons Haying
Machinery, Front Tractor Mounted
Attachments for Harvesting Machinery   Aug 26, / Need a new gear box for rotary cutter

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#5   OP S

smont

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new holland tc33d

Like I said, I think it's a Big Bee cutter, I'm not 100% sure. For some reason that name is popping my head. Purchased it about 20 years ago, and there aren't any markings left on it to help identify. My question was basically "Do cutter gearbox's hp ratings directly correlate to the tractor's hp?" Thanks anyway guys   Aug 26, / Need a new gear box for rotary cutter #6  

lilranch

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patience and sugar gets one much farther on TBN than impatience and vinegar!   Aug 26, / Need a new gear box for rotary cutter #7  

Industrial Toys

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New, you probably wouldn't like the price. I would look on Craigs list for a mower in rough shape and take the gearbox off that. Find a guy that cleans up farms, he probably gets all kinds of these ubiquous mowers.   Aug 26, / Need a new gear box for rotary cutter #8  

Dave M

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The cutter HP rating would not be dependent upon the tractor. It would have been part of the cutter's original design and likely for more than 40 HP.

Remove your gearbox and measure the diameter of the output shaft and try and find one the same on this site.

Getting the nut off the output shaft will be the challenge.

Rotary Mower Parts & Gearboxes | Agri Supply(R)

Dave M   Aug 26, / Need a new gear box for rotary cutter

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#9   OP S

smont

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new holland tc33d

Thanks Dave, that was very helpful. That'll be my next step, I appreciate it