Always check lug nuts frequently

[buckle97]

I had bush hogged Monday night and was making a counter-clockwise pattern so I was watching my line with the front right tire. Tuesday I started on another pasture and was going clockwise and watching the front left tire. I only made it about 300 feet when i noticed the wheel was wobbling really badly. I got off to inspect.

 

[buckle97]

I guess I'm just lucky that sixth bolt didn't come off. I would have hated for the front end of the tractor to go down like that. Notice not only are the nuts gone but also the wheel studs. Of course I had taken the front end loader off to bush hog so I had to manually jack up the front axle. Five new studs and I'm almost back in action.

 

[buckle97]

I had to fix a flat on the other front tire about a year ago so I double checked those lug nuts yesterday and they are all tight. These may have worked themselves loose over time as I will admit that I've never bothered to check their tightness in 300 hours. Five new nuts and I'm back at it.

 

[Cidertom]

Other fix

 

[cowboy357]

I,m glad You caught it in time . You said the studs were missing , as in broke off . Kind off looks like it from the pics or did they unscrew ? . Bob

 

[Lunk]

I,m glad You caught it in time . You said the studs were missing , as in broke off . Kind off looks like it from the pics or did they unscrew ? . Bob

Look snapped off in ther pics...I think that maybe replacing the 6th one would be prudent, as it was no doubt stressed beyond normal, and is a prime candidate to fail next....

 

[buckle97]

You said the studs were missing , as in broke off . Kind off looks like it from the pics or did they unscrew ? . Bob

I assume they unscrewed, but I'm not sure. There was no damage to the threads and I had no problem screwing the new studs in. I didn't think about replacing the sixth stud.

 

[PILOON]

Know the feeling, I had one side come loose when I noticed a bad wobble driving to a job site.
Tightened them up enough to get back home.(vice grips (AKA one size fits all)are a must in the toolbox)
Only problem was that all the rim holes were elongated and I had to weld a plate with accurate holes in order to have accurate spacing for the lugs.
Worked out OK and I now have a much stronger rim center than before.

Needless to say lug torqueing is now as frequant as oil checks.

 

[Grrrr]

I have driven back from a field before after a puncture on three wheels with a bit of wood chocking up the rocking front axle to keep it off the ground

Not very safe I don't think... it was with an old 2WD Massey 165, don't think I'd try it with a modern 4WD!

 

[kebo]

Don't forget to check the lugs on your trailer tires too!!! I found that one out the hard way last year! Was driving back home with tractor loaded on trailer and noticed something wasn't right with the trailer. Pulled over and front left tire was loose and wobbling all over the lugs. Walked around to the other side and the right rear tire was GONE, along with ALL the lugs!! I still have no idea where that tire went either!
I just hope it didn't roll into someone's car or house and bang it up!

Called a friend who brought his trailer, we loaded the tractor onto it, and I was able to tighten up the bummed up lugs on the leftside. It was enough to keep that tire on tight enough that I could limp home at about 40mph. Cost me about $200 to put new studs in two hubs, two new rims, and another (used) tire. Now I check them before I haul the trailer even 1 mile down the road LOL!