Fixing up my new 4020PS

[MattA]

I went to start the 4020PS today and it protested starting and running for a few seconds. The Linamar cranks kind of slow. It's still got the Amazon starter in it. I haven't swapped the rebuilt Linamar starter in yet. Battery is 300CCA dated 2025. I've also cleaned the wiring ring terminals. I'll bring home an oscilloscope from work at some point and measure for voltage drops while cranking at some point.

Anyways I went to move the tractor and it stalled. Seat switch is plugged in. I checked out the PTO switch and made an adjustment. No change. Turns out when I swapped the seats, the 4020PS has a normally open seat switch while my 4016 Vanguard has a normally closed switch. I'll get the switches swapped at some point soon. Hopefully that's quick and easy.

I did jumper the wire harness so that I could move the tractor and put the Johnny Bucket on. The wire harness I built for my 4016 fits the 4020PS.

[dhitching]

I'm sure you'll really appreciate the power steering when you have weight in the Johnny Bucket! Have you seen the threads about voltage boosting the Johnny Buckets? I know when I had one I felt like it was painfully slow to use.

[MattA]

I swapped over the seat switches today. Pretty straight forward process. I wasn't able to find much info on the forums so here is the cliff notes version.
1. Unplug the seat switch. The seat switch connector does not appear to have a latch. I grabbed each half of the connector and gently pulled/wiggled the connector and it came right apart.
2. Unbolt the seat rails from the tractor and remove the seat from the tractor.
3. Flup the seat over and note where the spring under the seat attaches and remove the spring.
4. Move the seat adjustment mechanism over remove the white switch assembly. The seat switch assembly must be unclipped and pulled out of the seat.
5. Replacement seat switch is inserted into the seat and clipped into place.
6. Reconnect the seat spring, reinstall the seat on the tractor and plug in the connector.

[MattA]

I'm sure you'll really appreciate the power steering when you have weight in the Johnny Bucket! Have you seen the threads about voltage boosting the Johnny Buckets? I know when I had one I felt like it was painfully slow to use.

I had the poor man's power steering installed on my 4016. Made quite a difference with my SB48 snowcaster installed. The Johnny Bucket with a load of dirt wasn't too bad off road but when driving down my street, I sure had to put some effort into fight the crown of the road.

I came across the JB voltage double in the past. I'll have to look into it some more. At one point I was looking into a DIY setup but started looking into the K2XG20 series linear actuator. It's much faster and lifts more. My JB has the K20G-12V-BR-0490JP linear actuator. The problem with the K2XG20 is the retracted length is longer which limits the lifting height. I've also looked into getting a K2G30 series linear actuator. This bumps the internal gear ratio from 20:1 to 30:1 increasing lift capacity from 700lbs to 1100lbs. The 30:1 quite a bit slower at no load but is actually faster at full load.

I've looked into buying the K2G30-48V-BRL-08 listed below in the past. Its now cheap enough that I could buy it to experiment with. I'm thinking I could swap the parts between them to make a K30G-12V-BR-0490JP.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/392085458791?_ ... R4a_5dW3aA

[MattA]

Wheel weights are on and so are the suitcase weights. JB tooth bar is also on. I've got to find someone to weld the replacement tooth back on.

[MattA]

I also got replacement springs installed on both RM48 mule drives. The original springs were stretched out. I also had to stretch the new springs to install them. It's hard to see in the photo I took but the spring is presently stretched. I could probably fit a quarter or nickel between the coils. Does anyone know if the idler is setup correct? The pulley bolt hits the bracket on both mule drives.

[DavidBarkey]

If memory serves me correct it should be a nickle between coils . Rule of thumb with that kind of spring is . Full tension is when the gap between coils is equal to the thickness of the wire it is made from . I usually try for a gap between 1/2 and full thickness of the wire diameter once the belt has seated if I can not find a manufacturers spec.

[MattA]

If memory serves me correct it should be a nickle between coils . Rule of thumb with that kind of spring is . Full tension is when the gap between coils is equal to the thickness of the wire it is made from . I usually try for a gap between 1/2 and full thickness of the wire diameter once the belt has seated if I can not find a manufacturers spec.

I do the same David. I forgot to mention in my post that the spring is already stretched that much and the idler mounting bolt is hitting the mule drive frame. I'm pointing to the bolt with a screwdriver in the picture. I'm realizing now that I may just need to turn the adjustment handle. Its presently at one end of the threads.

I found a better picture from Bob Macgregor and his mule drive is doing the same thing.

P3180073.jpeg (76.43 KiB) Viewed 215 times

[myerslawnandgarden]

I also got replacement springs installed on both RM48 mule drives. The original springs were stretched out. I also had to stretch the new springs to install them. It's hard to see in the photo I took but the spring is presently stretched. I could probably fit a quarter or nickel between the coils. Does anyone know if the idler is setup correct? The pulley bolt hits the bracket on both mule drives.
20261108_165504.jpg20261108_165805.jpg

On the newer style mule drive that you have, you adjust the tension until there is 3/8" between the bolt and the bracket. Yes, the spring will be slightly stretched as soon as it's installed.

Bob

[MattA]

I also got replacement springs installed on both RM48 mule drives. The original springs were stretched out. I also had to stretch the new springs to install them. It's hard to see in the photo I took but the spring is presently stretched. I could probably fit a quarter or nickel between the coils. Does anyone know if the idler is setup correct? The pulley bolt hits the bracket on both mule drives.
20261108_165504.jpg20261108_165805.jpg

On the newer style mule drive that you have, you adjust the tension until there is 3/8" between the bolt and the bracket. Yes, the spring will be slightly stretched as soon as it's installed.

Bob

image.png

Thanks Bob. My other RM48 decks are both the older style mule drives.