Rear seal blow out-update

[Bob McCarty]

Yesterday several of us were mowing about 10 acres of thick weeds At the farm museum where we have our show (cancelled). Nearing the end, my '76 would start bogging down and I'd turn a circle and the rpm's would go back up. After several of those, I looked down and half the C-2 deck was covered with oil. Disengaged the mower and drove back to the parking lot. Got the hood off this afternoon and will split it tomorrow. My first solo split. Hoping the reassembly isn't too frustrating. The dipstick showed oil at the low line and it started up and sounded okay when I drove it off the trailer into the shop, so I'm hoping no damage was done. I've talked with our local 90 yo tractor guru about the rear seals. He uses JB Weld around the outside and over the edge of the seal. Fortunately, I have several done by Tim, so I can forego that experiment.

[k hutchins]

Don't forget to wedge the front end. Having it dip/rotate just a little makes lining the pins back up a pain when you're ready to put it back together.

[Dale Finch]

You probably already have some, but if not, cut the heads off two bolts that would fit the two upper bolts holes in the clutch housing (don't remember the size) , then cut slots in the top (for screwdriver). Two of these were given to me at a Cubfest (heck, maybe by you!!). They help align the two tractor halves when reassembling. Good luck, and have fun!

P. S. You should have timed this better so you could have help at your own cubfest!

[Stanton]

Sorry to hear about this, Bob. Be careful, as I know you will. I'll be splitting the AV to replace the expansion plugs behind the flywheel later this week.

Nice tip, Dale.

[Gary Dotson]

Bob's been around and helped others enough with this stuff, I'm sure he'll have no problems, doing it on his own. Go for it, Bob, we're all on your side!

[Winfield Dave]

You got this, Bob !! I've done several solos.

[Dale Finch]

You got this, Bob !! I've done several solos.

Yep! Bob's been to more Cubfests, I think, than anyone else! He's certainly no newbie...it's just not as much fun, solo...

Hey Bob! As you know, this is a common problem with cubs, but after a quick check, I don't believe anyone has done a good post on the whole process, citing things to do/not do, and other tasks that should be checked "while you are there". You have done several other types of demo posts...make this a good "show n tell" project, and it won't be such a chore! Just a thought.

[Bill Hudson]

Go for it, Bob. Just finished a solo split and if a 75+ year old geezer can do it, a youngster like you should have no trouble.

Bill

[Jim Becker]

You make this sound like a sudden burst of leaked oil. Every main seal leak I have seen has gradually gotten worse. Maybe your problem is a blown out oil pump gasket.

Did your turning a circle involve any steep down hill? Maybe you are loosing oil through the front transmission seal.

[Bob McCarty]

Jim, I was mowing on flat ground. Engine oil dropped to the low line, so I'm sure it was engine oil. I just put on the fly wheel, but can look at the oil pump gasket after lunch. It looked like the rear seal had been replaced before without replacing the oil pan gasket. The sealant was a hard gray material, not sure what it was. The leak may be from there rather than the rear seal, but there was also an oil drip from the rear seal downward.

[Dale Finch]

One of my cubs had a slight drip for quite a while, until one day it just let loose! Oil was running out, all over the mower deck. Luckily, it was in full view, so I limped into the shed. Bob, hope it's going smoothly!

[Bob McCarty]

The front and back are about 3" apart. The pto turns easily (engaged), so I need to find what's binding. I did take off the steering wheel and that required a little time and effort. Done for the day, more tomorrow. First R2 seal retainer I've come across. I think I have about 5 or 6 seals that should all fit it, but I put in a machined one to save time.

[Bob McCarty]

I got the Cub back together easily. Used a rachet strap to pull the two halves together and a scissors jack under the front to tip one side up higher so the holes aligned. I've been busy spraying weeds and mowing, so this afternoon decided to refill the TC. As soon as I started pouring Hytran in the fill hole, it was running out the bottom. Guessing that the split was unneeded. What I don't understand is why the Cub would be bogging down as the hydraulic fluid was leaking out. I'll pull the pump to check the gear, but wouldn't think that could cause the drag. Any thoughts?

[Rick Prentice]

First R2 seal retainer I've come across. I think I have about 5 or 6 seals that should all fit it

My experience, doesn't matter if its R1 or R2, once they expand they need Tim.

As soon as I started pouring Hytran in the fill hole, it was running out the bottom.

We need more info. The bottom of what? Around the TC bottom plate? did you remove the bottom 1?8" pipe plug and forget to put it back in??

What I don't understand is why the Cub would be bogging down as the hydraulic fluid was leaking out. I'll pull the pump to check the gear, but wouldn't think that could cause the drag. Any thoughts?

try moving the TC lever, it may be trying to find its happy spot. I doubt the pump gear is your issue.

Things aren't making sense to me, but that's easily done now days.

Rick

[Bob McCarty]

Rick, You nailed it. I had picked up a street elbow to put in the drain and forgot to install it. I guess that falls in the same category as forgetting to turn on the gas, or pull out the start/stop switch. All of which I have done....