OHHH Snap

woodlandfarms · Mar 5, 2011

Well, pictures are worth a thousand words. The bottom knuckle let go today. The upside is I was not on the tractor, and the guy who was is a dozer mechanic, downside is, well, my tractor is broke in half. On initial inspection it appears that this piece may have been repaired in its previous life. It sucks. It is a tough weld but my neighbor who is a great mechanic wants to tackle it, and I will be glad to pay him.

But beyond this break is the break on the chasis. I am not sure how, what, when, why. The break looks old but I have to say I don't feel I have seen it before. Anyway.. Calling PT on monday to order a new knuckle. Will discuss all the issues with them then.

Any thoughts btw

Lil_FarmerJim · Mar 5, 2011

I'm no PT expert, but that doesn't look good. I assume this is the pivot point? If you got it used, I would say there is a good chance it did this once before.

Here's hoping its not a difficult fix.

Clumber · Mar 5, 2011

Wow, that's tough luck. Hope it can be repaired soon!

J_J · Mar 6, 2011

Carl,

Did you not hear the two halves anything banging before it separated? I would have the welder insulate those hyd hoses before welding. If there is any hyd fluid in that area, it should be thoroughly degreased/cleaned. Make sure he has insurance.

MossRoad · Mar 7, 2011

Ouch!

My condolences. Makes me want to go out and inspect my center pivot right now.

ponytug · Mar 7, 2011

Dear Carl,

Sorry to see that this happened. Some fraction of the knuckle is a bolt on part. I can't quite tell in the photo what broke.

The second break looks old, judgeing both from the crack and the wear on the bolt. The bigger question would be why it failed there. Unlike the knuckle, it is not an obvious stress point.

All the best,

Peter

woodlandfarms · Mar 7, 2011

So, we are getting into the whole deal but here is the long and skinny

130 for all the parts (including new spacers). Terry says that is an uncommon situation, but not unheard of and they have fixed this many times. Simply grind off, weld on the new one.

It is a collar that failed. The feeling is that the tractor never had the jesus nut tightened by the previous owner. It was stretched out under his lack of maintenance and this was just inevitable. The broken front has to do with this piece failing. Terry thinks that it broke maybe a while ago and did not come completely apart. That the bar that holds the two haves together was over torquing and cracked the front.

Anyway, ordered the parts. Will let you all know how it goes.

Carl

Johnbro · Mar 7, 2011

Well $130 doesn't sound like too bad a hit (like a tank of diesel:laughing

so I hope you get it all back together for not too much money or inconvenience. Let us know how it goes and take lots of pics!

KentT · Mar 8, 2011

My 425 had been "broken" there by the previous owner (PTRich in the archibves here) and repaired. He got it stuck up to the bellypan in muck, and broke it pulling it out. However, there were no stress cracks to the front (or rear) parts of the tub -- the "Jesus nut" coupler simply ripped out of the front half of machine. He ordered a new coupler and had it welded in. That repair is now 5+ years old and 400 hours old, and still is in good shape. I try to check and tighten the Jesus nut now on a fairly regular basis.

I think I'm getting wear on the front joint for the "oscillating" top bar now that will have to be dealt with at some point...

woodlandfarms · Mar 8, 2011

If you have pix I would take them on your situation.

And an explanation for the Jesus nut comment. It is a term used by helicopter pilots (I do a lot of work in helicopters for my business) and the older birds, especially huey's have one nut that holds the top rotor in place. It is called the Jesus nut as, well, it it comes loose while you are up in the air you probably will meet your maker if you believe. It is the only word I have ever been able to come up with in explaining the connection on the PT.

Carl