Mickwhitt 4,642 #1 Posted May 2 Hi all. Our community garden have a self propelled rotary mower and the axle has stopped driving. If I lift the wheels off the ground they turn, but as soon as you pop them on the ground they stop. I noticed a couple of gardeners using the mower, squeezing the handle to engage drive and holding it all the time, even when dragging it backwards! Stripping the box down reveals the dog style clutch is worn, as I expected it would be. My question is does anyone have a view on what the profile of the dog teeth should be? I'm pretty sure I can file them to be a bit sharper. Looks like it's a replacement compete axle if I can't reprofile the gears. This is how they look, by the way it was crammed with grease and I'm wondering if too much is encouraging the teeth to slip as they seem to bite OK now they are dry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,828 #2 Posted May 3 Looks like the piece on the right has rounded peaks and worn ramps. You might be able to grind file them back to fit snugly with the left. I would just replace it if it's available and resonable. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 17,011 #3 Posted May 3 (edited) That gear (left) is hardened and that shape stayed much more intact than the other piece which is now worn down. That curve on the teeth of the worn piece will push them apart and they need to be flat Edited May 3 by wallfish Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,308 #4 Posted May 3 If you were to file the dogs like the blue line you may be able to make it work for some time. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,666 #5 Posted May 3 As already stated the matting surfaces need to be square to stay ingaged. They also need the grease to let them slide apart when disingaging. I have something simular on a mower it's just two disk with two squae head set screws in each. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,642 #6 Posted May 7 I filed the new profile onto the worn gear and the seem to mate much better now. I will refit the axle tomorrow and see how it drives. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,235 #7 Posted May 7 See if you can “file” the correct operating method into the heads of the gardeners while you are there! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,642 #8 Posted May 7 What, like dont tow your car backwards while you're trying to drive it forwards. Honestly, I know I'm pretty much a machine nerd since birth, but I sometimes can't see how folk can be so dim when it comes to pretty simple mechanics. A guy lost three fingers to a table saw in the news recently, the company was fined for not having a guard on the machine. How about the operator who swept saw dust off the table with his bare hand while it was running? If it cuts three inch thick lumber what do you think it will make of a nice soft hand? Oh that's right.... mince meat. Eejit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 17,011 #9 Posted May 7 10 hours ago, Mickwhitt said: I filed the new profile onto the worn gear and the seem to mate much better now. Looks very good now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,235 #10 Posted May 7 1 hour ago, Mickwhitt said: folk can be so dim when it comes to pretty simple mechanics. But to them, NOT simple! Differently wired brains. Example: I have trouble appreciating dance or opera because I’m too focused on the mechanics! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
