The Daily Yardman Thread

[Roger B]

JB Weld

Booba,

JB Weld makes smaller quantity stick epoxies, including their "Steel Stick".. Sets in 5 minutes, cures in one-hour. I should be able to use a bushing wrapped in plastic wrap to form the paste into the worn place in the housing. Apply paste, insert protected bushing, quickly assemble, tighten a few bolts, let set a few minutes, loosen bolts, remove bushing, finish grind as needed... Done!

Sounds like the answer to me!

Roger

 

[Roger B]

Time setting

BlazNT,

Thanks, it's done..

Roger

 

[BlazNT]

Re: MTD Yardman Transaxle Rebuild

Fantastic. I just did not want you to destroy more than was already broken.:smile:

 

[Roger B]

Re: MTD Yardman Transaxle Rebuild

BlazNT - Chuck,

Me thinks we have had a miscommunication... When I said, "Thanks, it's done." - I was referring to changing my time zone as you instructed. . . . . However, I suspect you thought I meant I had repaired the worn part in the transaxle case.. At this point, I have not, however, I have decided on a course of action that I believe will effect a workable repair. I do appreciate your input and I will insure that worn area is filled in and solid before reassembling the case. Presently I am waiting for parts (bushings and grease seals), but plan on working on the repair while I wait.
.........................................................................................

For those of you who have been following the GREASE portion of this thread, I have discovered that my local John Deere dealer does carry John Deer Corn Head Grease. The parts man there told me he only sells about two tubes a year, but that they get it in 30 tube cases, so he has plenty to sell. Their Corn Head Grease is rated as an EP-0 (or NLGI-0) grease and should work fine in that type of transaxle at a fraction of the cost.

Roger

 

[BlazNT]

Re: MTD Yardman Transaxle Rebuild

Yes I did not read the header.

So glade you got the time thing fixed and good luck with the repair.

 

[Roger B]

"STEEL STICK" epoxy repair

Chuck et. al.,

Today I picked up some JB Weld "Steel Stick", a two part epoxy in a single stick that only requires to be kneaded by hand to mix properly. I cleaned the damaged area of the transaxle case, and wiped it with acetone, cut off a little of the epoxy stick and kneaded it to a uniform dark color. A small amount was applied to the damaged area and a bushing wrapped in plastic food wrap was pressed into it. By moving the bushing forward and back in the damaged area I was able to press the epoxy fully into the void where the axle had worn the aluminum away. I think the rough grinding the welder did, will help the epoxy stick. Then I inserted the 3/4" axle shaft through both the grease seal and the bushing and assembled the upper half of the casing to the lower half using two bolts to tighten it. As this epoxy sets up in five minutes I had to work quite quickly. When I released the bolts the epoxy has assumed the exact shape of all three pieces and I was able to carefully trim away any excess that came out around the shaft, leaving a perfect shoulder like what was originally there before the old bushing wore out and the axle wore the shoulder off. (Note previous pictures.)

Here is what the repair looks like:

Roger

 

[BlazNT]

Re: MTD Yardman Transaxle Rebuild

That looks very nice. Just like I was thinking. You did a wonderful job.

 

[Boobala]

Re: MTD Yardman Transaxle Rebuild

Looks like a "go for it" to me Roger, hope it works out .... if at first you don't succeed ... it's time to buy a boat, or a toaster or something ...( LOL ) ..:laughing: ..:laughing: ..:laughing:

 

[Roger B]

Re: MTD Yardman Transaxle Rebuild

BOO-Baby,

Already got a boat! Can we post them on here without getting chastised?

Roger

 

[Pumper54]

Re: MTD Yardman Transaxle Rebuild

Roger,
Nice work on the repair. I didn't know you all had palm trees in Maine, things you learn everyday. ;-)

Tom