Gear Caddy wearing grooves in trimmer shafts?

[watatrp]

I've got a Jungle Jim Gear Caddy for my trimmers mounted on my trailer. I've had it in use for 4 years now. I believe that there is either a flaw in the equipment or maybe my equipment is manufactured wrong. The hardware of the Gear Caddy has worn a small groove in the shafts of my trimmers. I noticed this damage shortly after it occured. I remedied the situation by placing plastic tubing over the area on my trimmers to insulate it from the metal. Unfortunately, the shaft of my trimmer has broken at the area where the groove was worn into it. This happened three years after the intitial damage. Has anyone else using the Gear Caddy had any similar problems?

[wattsup]

Last year I had the same problem. I bought some velcro and put the soft side on the trimmer trap. It seems to be working fine. I noticed the problem one morning and drove to my first job, about 15miles on rough roads. When I got there the shaft was broken and it cost me almost $100 to get it fixed. Also, it was a new trimmer. Hope this helps. LOL...

[ProMo]

lmao was string trimming a yard a couple years ago and my motor fell off i was using a rack a freind welded together shaft only cost me 15 dollars ended up going thru 2 i found a spray or can of stuff at home depot that puts a rubber coating on it and it solved the prob i dont have that rack anymore but i still coat rack in my enclosed

[strickdad]

**** tip**** this is easy to fix... get you a piece of 1 inch heater hose, cut it at about 3 inches long, slice it open down the side, place it around the shaft were the trimmer rides in the rack, get 3 heavy duty zip ties to secure hose, problem soleved...

[ohiolawnguy]

you could use water pipe insulation(foam rubber) to help with this problem.

[watatrp]

Thanks for the help guys. I guess what I'm looking for is some ammunition to go to my dealer with to see if he will help with some of the repair costs.
Afterall, he was the one that sold me the Gear Caddy. If it was a bad design and damaged my equipment shouldn't he be partially responsible for the cost of the repair?

[ProMo]

id look for the rubber spray it comes in many colors the aluminum shafts are only about 17 dollars and 3 minutes to swap not much cost there id ask dealer if he has any shafts in there equip graveyard mine had several i was given at no cost

[captdevo]

i don't see where your dealer should be responsible for any damage done to your trimmers from the gear caddy....especially after four years of use.

did you wash and wax it and your trimmers routinely to keep dirt and debris from assisting in the wear?

did you keep the original coating in "near new" condition?

i don't see how it can be anyones fault but yours.

as with any piece of equipment, maintenance is the key to longevity.

.02

[Runner]

I never di understand that, why they designed those racks like that, so your trimmers just bounce around, getting beat to deatth, flip around spewing gas everywhere, and are never held securely. My racks, I built myself, hold the trimmers tight in U shaped cradles, that are larger at the motor end, to fit, and smaller down by the head, to hold it tightly. They are actually J shaped, with the short end welded to the square tubing to form a U. To cushion the trimmer, I just used some pieces of garden hose. Works great. I have no money into these racks (2 that hold 2 trimmers) at all. They are made out of old awning supports. The kind that had those sort of "S" shaped scroll braces. I wish I knew how to post pics on here, I would put them on.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by captdevo
i don't see where your dealer should be responsible for any damage done to your trimmers from the gear caddy....especially after four years of use.

did you wash and wax it and your trimmers routinely to keep dirt and debris from assisting in the wear?

did you keep the original coating in "near new" condition?

i don't see how it can be anyones fault but yours.

as with any piece of equipment, maintenance is the key to longevity.

.02

I was just going to post similar.

I have trimmertraps and don't have or ever heard of this problem.

I have a buddy with your kind and he has lost 2 weed eater driving down the road cause the rack can open on it's own.

[KirbysLawn]

I have Trimmer Trap also, no problems.

[watatrp]

In answer to some of your questions. Yes, I do take care of my equipment. My last trimmer was retired in a garage sale after 12 years of service. The Gear Caddy was sold to me by my dealer as being the best way to secure and transport trimmers. I've bought $25k plus of equipment from my dealer over the last 10 years. The grooves were worn into the shafts after only a couple of months of use. At that time I made modifications by putting rubber tubing over the areas that rubbed. Unfortunately the damage was already done. Three years of use with the grooves worn into the shafts caused them to fatigue and one of them to crack. I've never had a problem with the trimmers bouncing or falling off. They are always locked up when on the rack.

All I want is an honest opinion. If your dealer sells you some equipment that damages your other equipment and all said equipment was used properly isn't the dealer expected to take some responsibility? Or from a dealer's standpoint does responsibility end after the sale? I've been very faithful to my dealer and expect him to do the same now that I know there is a flaw in the equipment. What do you think?

[TLS]

Only way I could see you getting any help here would be if the Trimmer Rack was manufactured by the maker of the actual trimmers. Then I could see it.

Never could see any other brand of trimmer rack that comes close to the quality, reliability, security, ease of use of a "Trimmer Trap".

Time to rack this experience up on "cheap equipment" doing you a bad deed, and buy a few new trimmers and a "TRIMMER TRAP"!

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by TLS
Only way I could see you getting any help here would be if the Trimmer Rack was manufactured by the maker of the actual trimmers. Then I could see it.

Never could see any other brand of trimmer rack that comes close to the quality, reliability, security, ease of use of a "Trimmer Trap".

Time to rack this experience up on "cheap equipment" doing you a bad deed, and buy a few new trimmers and a "TRIMMER TRAP"!

Amen!!!!!!

[cos]

Originally posted by captdevo
i don't see where your dealer should be responsible for any damage done to your trimmers from the gear caddy....especially after four years of use.

did you wash and wax it and your trimmers routinely to keep dirt and debris from assisting in the wear?

did you keep the original coating in "near new" condition?

i don't see how it can be anyones fault but yours.

as with any piece of equipment, maintenance is the key to longevity.

.02

Hmmmmm,

If everyone is having the same problem, doesn't it seem to be the caddy to blame? Dirt you say being the problem. How do you keep the coating on the shaft?

Sounds like someone coming from a dealer stand point!!! I'd have a hard time buying from someone that takes that stance!!!

Sorry, just my .02

[Mark]

I use the gear caddy and have no problems, i still cant figure out how a trimmer can fall out of these racks, LGF i guess your friend don't lock his trimmer racks, but even unlocked mine stay on just fine. If i was to break a trimmer on the caddy it would be my fault,i don't see any flaws in the equipment that Jungle Jims sells. Marks Mowing Service

[Grasshog]

I have a trimmer trap. LOVE IT. Three years old now. Mine came with rubber slide on that covered the area of the trap that touched the trimmers. Has worked great.

[captdevo]

cos...maybe you missed it, but, it's 4 years old.

yes..dirt and debris is probably most to blame, and maybe weather.

like others have posted, there are many ways to keep coating (cushion) on the shaft.

i would think that you would notice that the holders are damaging your equipment, you should take action before it breaks in half!

dealer standpoint or not, it shouldn't have been left worn enough to do that kinda damage.

it makes me no mind whether you buy from me or not, that is my opinion....

the fact remains it's 4 years old and evidently neglected enough that it wore though his trimmer.

since he noticed it scarring it 3 years ago, he should have taken action then, not wait for it to go this far.

i don't own one, but if i noticed it causing damage, i wouldn't blow it off.

let the manufacturer know you are experiencing problems, feedback is the key to better products!

since there seems to be a design flaw, it should have been brought to their attention years ago.

if the manucturer doesn't know it, how can they fix it?

but, you can't wait and watch 3 or 4 years and then expect compensation for the damage.....thats crazy!

[watatrp]

captdev0- I did notice the damage shortly after it occurred. Too late at that point. The groove was already worn into the shaft. In my opinion, a groove that was so small that I ignored it. I attached rubber tubing to the area on the shaft that was rubbing as soon as I noticed it. Now three years later, the shaft has broken at the exact spot where the groove was. Did I cause that groove? No. Do I report every single scratch or dent to my dealer? No. I want some credibility with him and only give him feedback on things that are legitimate.

[ProMo]

just remembered the stuff i used was called liquid rubber

[cos]

Originally posted by captdevo


did you keep the original coating in "near new" condition?

i don't see how it can be anyones fault but yours.

as with any piece of equipment, maintenance is the key to longevity.


This is a product that someone buys and expects it from damaging their equipment. I don't see how someone can buy a piece of equipment and be required to keep the coating in "new" condition, when there is no coating what so ever on the trimmer trap nor the trimmer itself. I believe this is a defect in design, and not something that the customer was ever aware of.

I, like you, don't own a caddy. There are several people here that had to pay for a new shaft, in my opinion, due to no protectection from vibration.

Just my .02 from the customer stand point.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Jungle Jims closes by pulling and turning a roll pin on a shaft through a slot.

I guess neglect would also be the blame, but it can pop open on it's own. I noticed that when I looked at them, and stayed clear of ever buying one.

My Trimmertrap uses similar rubber coating as what is in the pic.

Never made and wear in the shaft of the trimmers.

But it does wear the foam cushion on the handle of my old Echo's but who cares, we don't use them anymore and they are 6 years old.


Regardless of the situation, no one but the owner is to blame or take responcability for this trimmer shaft breaking.

If it was 3-4 years ago when the original warrenty was still in place from the first sign of wear, addressing the situation then was key.

Now that "years" have past, there is no way anyone but the owner is to be responcable for this product breaking.

If you had a tire on a car with a slow leak and it wore out much faster than it should have like 3-4 years later, and then went to a dealer to have it fixed, whos responcablity is it?

It aint the dealers!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cos]

Not blaming the dealers, but the manufacturer. Correct, This is a situation where the customer now knows not to buy that product anymore. Back in the day, these caddys were new to us. Rubber coating was probably not a consideration. I wouldn't expect the manufaturer to pay after 4 years, but it is something that the customer should take into consideration when buying another trimmer rack.

I believe it wasn't the responsiblity of the consumer to prevent the wearing of the shaft. When you were sold one, were you told to keep the trimmers free of dirt, and spray them with rubber? I think not!!!

[watatrp]

I think that we've beat this one to death. Small business always gets the "shaft". That's what I'll be doing is paying for a new shaft. I still contend that it is not my responsibility to bring every scratch, wear point, or nick to the attention of the dealer with the thought that three years from now my deck may crack at that spot. Firestone replaced thousands of perfectly good tires while trying to replace the few truely defective ones. If Jungle Jim's Gear Caddy is defective then I will make others aware of it. If I'm at fault for buying defective equipment, then that's your view of it. My dealer has the attitude that if it ain't broke, I won't fix it cause it's scratched or nicked. Now it's broke the three years in between are the separation he needed to say he's not responsible. Nuff said! I see the writing on the wall.

[geogunn]

Originally posted by watatrp
I think that we've beat this one to death.

agreed.

but after months of bouncing your trimmers all over in a metal to metal contact situation for you to be surprised that there is wear on the soft aluminum shaft to me is astounding.

GEO

[watatrp]

Geo. I looked at it with my dealer. He agrees that the unit was manufactured with a flaw. If you look at the picture. The edge of the angle iron should not be in contact with the shaft of the trimmer. In my case, it was sloppy workmanship. The angle protrudes out maybe 1/16 of an inch. It doesn't touch the shaft everytime it's put back, only some of the time. Like I said, I'm tired of talking about it. I just don't like people telling me I haven't taken care of my equipment. I could make my trimmers last 10 years plus before I got this useless $300 piece of ballast.
:p

[captdevo]

you're taking this all wrong...the point i'm trying to get across is:

1. you noticed this 3 years ago and did nothing (meaning contact the manufacturer or dealer of a design flaw)

2. you kept using it for 4 years until it damaged your trimmer, it isn't the manufacturer or your dealers fault!

3. why should your dealer do anything about something he wasn't aware of until 4 years later.

you say the small business always gets the shaft.....seems your trying to give it to your dealer.

aluminum against steel....the steel will win.

I still contend that it is not my responsibility to bring every scratch, wear point, or nick to the attention of the dealer then who's responsibility is it?

if it is something that he may have been able to remedy (3 years ago) and possibly gotten you a new rack and replaced your shaft.

i do blame you, for not addressing this much sooner.

maybe if you and others who have had this problem would notify the manufacturer, they could resolve this, but, as with anything in life..."time is of the essence" don't drag your feet until it's too late, and someone else has to go through the same thing...communicate!

[cos]

To tell someone it is their problem cause of dirt or any other reason would warrant a raising of my voice of concern. It's not just 1 person neither.

[conway]

I've had the Jungle Jim's Gear Caddy for four years and they have never rubbed/scratched my trimmer shafts. If you put the handle of the trimmer on the side of the caddy that pulls closed and the shaft on the pole that locks down on it, then you should not have a problem. My trimmers are locked down tight and are unable to bounce around.

[watatrp]

Conway
I've determined that the welds on my unit were off slightly and the edge of the angle stuck out into the shafts. That's where the grooves were worn into the shafts. My dealer admits that it was made wrong. Since I didn't tell him when it first occured he won't cover it. My fault for not whining about every little scratch. From now on, everything that rubs, bounces, or looks funny, gets brought to his attention and documented. Just in case three years from now when the warranty has run out and something breaks then I can say,"I told you about that you said it was Ok".
Can you tell I'm a little bitter? Ahhhh, I feel better now.:)

[cos]

NO NO,


It's all your fault cause you didn't clean your equipment daily!!!!!


LOL


:laugh:

[ProMo]

have you contacted the manufacturer?i would demand a new unit

[Gabriel Turf]

I had to bring this thread back up because I had the same problem as Watatrp and I just received a solution from the manufacturer Jungle Jims.

I just got off of the phone with the folks at Jungle Jim's and they are going to send me a new trimmer rack pole.

They stated that there original design allowed abrasion between the angle iron that locks your equipment and your trimmer or edger shaft.

For those of you that use the gear caddy, you may want to look closely on the pole that locks your trimmers and make sure that your trimmer shaft is not being worn down by the angle iron on the gear caddy. I didn't notice the wear in mine until it had worn a hole into my echo edger!?!?

The folks at Jungle Jim's are aware of this design flaw and will ship you a new rack/pole. Their current models should be safe.

[watatrp]

Gabriel Turf-congrats on your success. Could you give me a phone number of who you contacted? I have since paid for replacement of two shafts on my equipment because of damage that was caused by their equipment rack. I would love to have a new rack that works as it was intended to so I can rid of the rubber that I have encased my shafts in to prevent further damage.

[TURF DOCTOR]

Trimmertrap.com

[Jason Rose]

I had the same trouble with my first Trimmer Trap rack. The pegs that support the trimmer shaft were bare metal and were wearing right thru the shaft. I was told to get some fuel hose or similar rubber tubing that would fit snugly over the pegs and slip that on there. Seems like it would work as my new Trimmer Trap racks have rubber covers on the pegs and have not damaged my trimmers at all. I know the rubber will wear out eventually, I could call trimmer trap and order new covers or just use the fuel hose trick *fuel hose does seem like it would last longer and is thicker...

[Jason Rose]

Oh yeah, a tip for sliding the covers over the pegs: use hairspray, it lubes it up enough to slide them on and then when it dries it's just like glue.

[macaw]

I use Greentouch trimmer racks the whole rack is coated in heavy
rubber been using for 5 years no problems and no wear on the
rubber.
http://www.greentouch.com/

[mh1314]

If you have the holders mounted with too much of the engine head or trimmer head outside the holders, the weight will cause the heads to bounce. The bounce may not be noticable however the pivot point will be at the holder and as with any metal it will temper or harden and break. I've seen some guys with their holders 2 feet apart and an equal amount sticking out on each end.

[Gabriel Turf]

Watatrp, the phone number is 1-888-844-5467. They have an option for warranty stuff.

Their web site is http://www.junglejimsap.com

I imagine the new rack that they send will have a rounded edge on the angle iron to keep from "cutting" into the trimmers.

Glad I could help.