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View Full Version : Broken Caster on walk behind

X-mow
09-15-2003, 09:40 PM
Has anyone ever had this happen:

What I don't understand is that I was just mowing when it broke ,I didn't hit anything.:confused: And it looks like its been breaking for a while.Its suppused to be a solid rod ,but its got grease between the parts except inthe light gray spot which was evidently the last spot to go.

C:\Documents and Settings\Karen Juarez\My Documents\My Pictures\Picture\Picture 005.jpg
C:\Documents and Settings\Karen Juarez\My Documents\My Pictures\Picture\Picture 003.jpg



C:\Documents and Settings\Karen Juarez\My Documents\My Pictures\Picture\Picture 001.jpg
j_loppy
09-15-2003, 10:14 PM
Is it breaking near those red x's? That would be my forst plan of action- wipe those off before you mow. LOL

In all seriousness, I would like to see those pics...

Sorry about your bad luck.
work_it
09-15-2003, 11:06 PM
Originally posted by j_loppy

In all seriousness, I would like to see those pics...

Sorry about your bad luck. [/B]

Here I was wondering if it was my computer messin' up. Glad you put that in your response.

x-mow, is there any way you could try to resubmit those pictures on this thread? Can't tell what your talking about from your description. Thanks.
X-mow
09-15-2003, 11:19 PM
Sorry about I'll try again
X-mow
09-15-2003, 11:21 PM
Sorry I'll try again
X-mow
09-15-2003, 11:28 PM
this is inside the hole in the part with the wheel
J&R
09-15-2003, 11:38 PM
Looks like the weld broke. What kind of mower is it.
work_it
09-15-2003, 11:54 PM
You've caught me off guard. I too thought those were solid. Have to agree with J&R on the weld breaking. Is the whole caster filled with grease, or is it just around the break? If the caster is solid, but has grease around the point where it broke then grease would have come from the support it fits into.
Rustic Goat
09-16-2003, 02:59 AM
All a weld joint needs is the slighest imperfection to spread and one day give up completely. Doesn't mean you did anything wrong, like many things, its time was just up.
David Haggerty
09-16-2003, 06:52 AM
It's a caster from a Toro isn't it?
I've owned four of them.
I had one castor break off like that.
It was a bad weld from the factory. The way they assemble them by putting the shaft thru the wheel yoke before welding reinforces it. It can take years for it to finally snap off.
Good news is it's real easy to fix. The only thing that broke is just the old weld. Just gind it out really good.
might mention to the welder to line the lock pin hole up, front to rear, or you'll have to watch that thing mowing sideways from then on. (don't ask me how I know this)

Mine was just a slag weld like they forgot to turn the gas on on their MIG welder. It was a wonder to me how it lasted that long.

Congradulations on not mowing over the wheel when it broke.
I ran over mine destroying the tire and put a big old nick in the yoke. It didn't hurt the spindle though. those mowers are tough!

Dave
X-mow
09-16-2003, 07:09 AM
It's an exmark mower and the rod IS solid all the way through the yoke (except where it broke the weld still looks perfect its holding the end of the rod in the yoke.

The mower is less than 2 years old.Bought it feb. 2002 so it should be under warranty.
David Haggerty
09-16-2003, 07:22 AM
Originally posted by X-mow
The mower is less than 2 years old


I thought that shaft looked to be it good condition. I've never heard of a solid shaft snapping off before. It must be some kind of defect.

If you had that one rewelded it would probably come out shorter and mess up all of your spacers. I'd take it back to the dealer.

Let us know how it comes out.

Dave
GLAN
09-16-2003, 07:55 AM
That used to happen to us many years ago on old BobCats.

It appears that the shaft is the same length as when assembled. And just the weld broke. OK, easy enough. Have it repaired and or buy a new caster. A spare is nice to have around anyway.
X-mow
09-16-2003, 09:57 AM
I welded it back together and it did change the spacers a little but only like about 1/16th of an inch and I think that wheel was a little high anyway. It doesn't make a noticable difference anywhere.
geogunn
09-16-2003, 09:59 AM
THAT IS ONE UGLY HAND!!!:eek:

GEO
X-mow
09-16-2003, 07:05 PM
Originally posted by geogunn
THAT IS ONE UGLY HAND!!!:eek:

GEO

Yeah they stay pretty busy:D
KenH
09-16-2003, 07:29 PM
Originally posted by X-mow
Yeah they stay pretty busy:D

Hey, what you do in your personal time is none of our business....:D :D :D :D
TLS
09-16-2003, 08:01 PM
But it's only$23 for a brand new one, I'd a just tossed it away. Not worth my time to fix it.

Amazing how dependent a mower is on BOTH front casters, huh!?

Definately a defect in materials and workmanship. Grease had been entering the cavity for quite some time.

I'd say its warranty, though actual warranty expired this past February for you. Push and see what they'll do for you. Either way for less than a family dinner at McDonalds you'd have a new one.
X-mow
09-16-2003, 08:03 PM
Originally posted by KenH
Hey, what you do in your personal time is none of our business....:D :D :D :D

I hope you aren't implying what I think you are.:eek: :rolleyes:
X-mow
09-16-2003, 08:07 PM
Originally posted by TLS
But it's only$23 for a brand new one, I'd a just tossed it away. Not worth my time to fix it.

Amazing how dependent a mower is on BOTH front casters, huh!?

Definately a defect in materials and workmanship. Grease had been entering the cavity for quite some time.

I'd say its warranty, though actual warranty expired this past February for you. Push and see what they'll do for you. Either way for less than a family dinner at McDonalds you'd have a new one.

Yeah I'll probably replace it ,if it breaks again. :D