Woods 42 Help Request

[lyle11]

I removed the OC and looked at the spindle. I was mistaken in my earlier post. The seal was NOT dislodged. I gave the spindle some extra grease to the point where (as the manual says) grease comes out the top. What I was seeing was the big washer that sits over the seal that was tilted from the excess grease.

I can rotate the spindle by hand and it is smooth. No wobble, zero noise, no wiggle at all. So, I can’t see anything I would accomplish by removing it. I might see if I can spin it with a drill, but unless with fast rotation something happens it sure seems good.

So, something is causing the Drive Hex of the OC to lift up off the spindle. The keys that secure the spindle to the Drive Hex move below the bottom of the Drive Hex when the Drive Hex is installed (the slot in the spindle is cut lower). They are 2” long and about 1 3/4” to 1 5/8” are actually in the Drive Hex slot. As the Drive Hex moves up on the spindle, less of the keys are securing it. They look somewhat beat up.

At this point, I think it makes sense to order new keys and a new belt before I try anything else.

I also see a hairline crack in one of the OC pulley spokes where it meets the center. Not sure how much of a concern this is but all the excessive vibration and up and down movement aren’t good for it.

I don’t immediately need the mower so I’ll start with the keys and belt and see how that goes. The Drive Hex goes on pretty snug and needs a pretty good wrap with a wood block to seat down that last 1/4”. I would think this is normal or it would be be too loose.

The bottom photo shows where the keys move down to in the spindle. Since the slot In the spindle continues below the Drive Hex it seems like this is where they would gravitate to. The keys, according to the parts list are 2” long. That’s how long mine are. They look crudely chopped off on the ends but, I guess that wouldn’t matter.

My hope is that these worn keys and possibly bad belt are causing the excessive vibration and Hex Drive to move upward.

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[lyle11]

https://youtu.be/mcLxIvfVbQk

https://youtu.be/YfZpUYuo-_o

I bought and installed a new Woods belt. I have not mowed with it yet. Prior to this I have zero experience with a Woods 42 mower so I don’t know what “normal” or usable is. Due to the spokes, the video can be deceiving. The belt or OC pulley are not slipping, but it makes a clattering sound that I think has to come from the internal ratchet. On the side view video you can see the way the pulley moves up and down around the Drive Hex. There is some play in the clutch around the Drive Hex. Without the belt installed, if I pull up or down on the outside of the pulley I can move it about 1/16”. (I am referring to how much the outside of the pulley appears to move which is either due to worn bronze bushings or wear on the outside of the Drive Hex).

In moving the OC manually clockwise, the internal ratchets engage every time. The ratchet appears well worn but once it is engaged I can’t understand why it makes this clattering sound. I can’t seem to get the picture of the worn ratchet to post but I’ll do that in my next post.

In my brief experience it mows fine with no slippage but sounds noisy and belt was popping off.

Interested in any ideas. One of the pulley spokes has a hairline crack, so I’m not really interested in buying parts for it. A new ratchet is about $80. Spindle seems very good. I believe my issue is with the OC.

Thanks

[lyle11]

Here is the internal ratchet. Never seen a new one but from the drawing there is a lot of wear but as long as it engages when the belt turns clockwise I don’t know why it would matter or why it’s noisy. (I’m assuming here because I don’t know what else would sound like the noise in the video)

I plan to take this tractor to my remote place so I’d like to have working right, rather than use it and see how long it holds up because once it’s moved to Wisconsin it’ll be a lot harder to fix it.

Thanks

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[SONNY]

Got some good 42's here if you want to come get one. shafts are tight in them, no visable wear ---I dont use them ----- too small for my needs. My main mowers are sunstar 20's with 60" decks,---and thats really too small! ---Still running the 185 for bush hoggin plus a batchtold walk behind.

[lyle11]

Thanks Sonny. I have a Lowboy. If the overrunning clutch and spindle are the same I would consider buying a 42 for the parts. I hauled my 42 CL disassembled in the back of my SUV with the skids removed. I’m getting somewhat frustrated because without the mower I have no need for the tractor. I guess I got spoiled with the Woods 59 and 15 years of trouble free mowing. I think you are near Bloomington, IL which is driving distance.

I’ll send you a PM.

[lyle11]

I decided the best way to fix my Woods 42 was to buy a Woods 59. I have a 2 Lowboys so now I have a mower for each tractor. I’m looking for the overrunning clutch for the 42 and this allows me to take my time looking and find one at a fair price. I’m hoping that fixes the 42.

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