Section 8: Troubleshooting
8/22/23
RC4615 & RCM4615 Rotary Cutters 331-644M
60
Section 8: Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Chart
Problem
Cause
Solution
Oil seal leaking
Gearbox overfilled
Drain oil level with fill hole or to full mark on dipstick.
Seals damaged
Replace seals.
Grass or wire wrapped on shaft
in seal area
Clean off wrapped material and check seal areas daily.
Driveline yoke or cross failing
Clutch is froze
Slip clutches per instructions under “Drivelines With Slip
Clutches” on page 45.
Shock load
Avoid hitting solid objects.
Needs lubrication
Lubricate every 8 hours.
Slip Clutches slip even with a
light load
Scalping the ground
Raise cutting height.
Clutch is not properly adjusted
Adjust clutch per instructions under “Drivelines With Slip
Clutches” on page 45.
Clutch plates are worn out
Replace clutch plates.
Foreign object caught between
clutch plates
Remove foreign object.
Bent driveline shaft
(Note: Shaft should be repaired or
replaced if bent)
Contacting frame
Reduce lift height in transport position.
Contacting drawbar
Reposition drawbar.
Contacting 3-point arms
Raise or remove 3-point arms.
Bottoming out
Shorten driveline shaft.
Binding up
Not lubricating enough.
Driveline shaft
telescoping tube failing
Shock load
Avoid hitting solid objects.
Driveline shaft telescoping tube
wearing
Needs lubrication
Lubricate every 20 hours of operation.
Blades Lock Up
Blades locked together
(overlapped) when wings were
raised to transport position
Use pry bar or other tool to separate cutting blades
before lowering wings.
Tractor has instant on power
take-off
Engage power take-off at low rpm and then slowly
increase engine speed to full power take-off speed.
See “Engage Blades” on page 37.
Tractor has Instant off power
take-off
Decrease engine speed slowly to an idle and then
disengage power take-off.
See “Disengage Blades” on page 37.
Blades wearing excessively
Cutting on sandy ground
Raise cutting height.
Contacting ground frequently
Raise cutting height.
Not maintaining power take-off
speed
Maintain power take-off speed by slowing down.
Blades coming loose
Blades not
tightened properly
Tighten blade hardware, refer to
Over speeding power take-off
Operate cutter at proper power take-off speed.
Blades breaking
Hitting solid objects
Avoid hitting solid objects.
Loose blade carrier
Blade carrier hardware not tight
Tighten shaft nut to specified torque.
Running loose in the past
Replace gearbox bearings and / or shaft.
Blade carrier bent
Hitting solid objects
Avoid hitting solid objects.
Excessive side skid wear
Soil abrasive
Adjust cutter height.
Cutting too low
Raise cutting height.
Excessive vibration
Hitting solid objects
Inspect area before cutting. Do not hit solid objects.
Driveline bent
Replace driveline or distribution shaft.
Blade carrier bent
Replace blade carrier.
Blade broken
Replace blade.
Blade will not swing
Inspect and unlock blades.
High torque start-up or hitting
solid objects.
Disassemble and inspect driveline for incorrectly
located needles or damaged bearing cap.
Blades have unequal weight
Replace each pair of blades on affected carrier.
Wing cylinder movement too slow
Orifice is plugged
Remove elbow fitting and unplug orifice.