While the weather has been georgeous today (well relatively so for a February day in Manchester) I decided to do a bit of work on the tractor.
Yesterday I carefully wheeled the tractor out of the trailer/garage and with about a 50 point turn I managed to make it face the other way so that it was nose inwards. That made it easier to work on the transaxle and get it removed.
A while ago I bought this little thing, it is a Wheelhorse tractor and it should do fine as a replacement transaxle.
I also picked up a Murrey mower axle to start a little kart/tractor for Dad too and with the front of the Wheelhorse removed I decided to see how it looked mated to the mower axle. A little short that way but I think it will eventually work out.
Dad thinks it is a cute size and so I will be starting another EV build. Another thread for the much hoped for new forum.
Anyway, with the tractor in the trailer I began the rear end strip down. I jacked up the back and put it on stands leaving the batteries in the front as ballast to keep the transaxle up in the air. The wheels came off first and then all the ancillaries.
I wanted to leave the brake calipers intact to save draining fluids for now and all the electrics are still connected. I can remove the reversing contactor in due course as the tractor has a 3F 1R transmission.
The transaxle came off in one easy lump.
I took the transaxle into the workshop to have a look at what was broken and on picking it up there was a distinct rattle from the inside. The sort of rattle that sounds bigger then a few missing teeth!
I'm sure I drained the oil when I put her away last August. I am sure of it.
Count the bits of crown wheel! It has exploded into shrapnal, six big pieces, a load of teeth, some crumbs and the two spider gears!
If anyone is a little worried about how much torque a little series DC motor can produce then here is a lesson the hard way.
Granted I was pulling wheelies on 48V at the time.
I thought it best to checkover the Wheelhorse transaxle too.
The wheels came off and I decided to actually drain the oil on this one before opening it up.
Hmmm, about two pints of water and a pint of mayo came out.
I will definately be splitting this one later to have a look. I will need to replace the axle oil seals in any case as it has been leaking on the slabs outside.
Anyone got a PDF of the insides of one of these? A service manual would be good but a parts image would let me know what I am in for when it is open.
Cheers.