Taking In Used Tractor -- What To Care For First?

[DK35vince]

When I started going over my TC30 and discovered loose FEL mounts bolts my first thought too was screw that I'll put lock-tite on them.
Then just for shi!s and grins I talked to an old tractor guy that's been messing about with tractors forever.
Here's what he had to say about lock-titing the FEL mounting bolts; 'Yeah, I did that once and the bolts sheared off and then I had to drill them out. Just put retightening the on the list of regular service items.'
If you use the FEL heavily do it more often then not.

Personally, I think you were given terrible advise.
Loosening bolts is what breaks bolts. Not locktite.

 

[Coyote machine]

Personally, I think you were given terrible advise.
Loosening bolts is what breaks bolts. Not locktite.

Exactly. Breaking Locktighted FEL bolts is a result of loader abuse, not the incorrect application of the product designed to PREVENT broken/loose/sheared bolts.

 

[rsallen]

Ah, okay. I'll buy that, I use lock-tite often.
In this application though? My first question is what loosens the bolts to begin with; abuse?, perhaps but don't we all sometimes ask more of our machines then they designed for? My next question is; those bolts are torqued to a fairly high load if memory serves, why do they loosen to begin with? Even under just normal usage. Do they stretch out (or otherwise known as necking) and there by they loosen at the hold area?
Because if they necking out lock-titing them only serves to give you more grieve then it's worth.
Why do they loosen to begin with?

 

[Coyote machine]

Ah, okay. I'll buy that, I use lock-tite often.
In this application though? My first question is what loosens the bolts to begin with; abuse?, perhaps but don't we all sometimes ask more of our machines then they designed for? My next question is; those bolts are torqued to a fairly high load if memory serves, why do they loosen to begin with? Even under just normal usage. Do they stretch out (or otherwise known as necking) and there by they loosen at the hold area?
Because if they necking out lock-titing them only serves to give you more grieve then it's worth.
Why do they loosen to begin with?

Vibration, gravity, sunspots, torque from FEL loading/racking, etc.
Nature of the beast. You can take preventive measures or not, one's own choice.

 

[eventer79]

I agree about the vibration -- we run (and I maintain) a lot of small engines (outboard, surface air pumps for diving, etc) at work and it is amazing how many fasteners loosen and parts even wear and break over time simply due to vibration on a well-maintained engine. We have several parts that are at the bottom of a river thanks to this, including an $800 piece whose connection was very similar to the slide collar of a PTO shaft. It even had a safety clip... Oops.

So far, all the hoses I've seen have looked good, no leaks noticed yet, that little Shibaura diesel runs sweetly, and it feels solid driving. With a cleaning, an oil change and a grease attack, hopefully the only other issue will be rust and painting. Knock on wood the hydraulic lines will behave, now that I've fallen in love with my 4n1 bucket, I will feel lost if I can't play with it.

The only thing I haven't made work yet is the differential lock (I stomped but it didn't budge), but it's a rather opportunistic testing situation, so I reread the manual several times and I think I just needed to slow down the tire spin. Later experiment...

Oh and Coyote, congratulations, you own more chainsaws than I even though possible!

 

[eventer79]

OH NO! :ashamed: I just realized I broke a major forum rule (well, at least it is on horse forums) -- pictures (before I wiped it down and blew out the pine needles):



And yep, I was wearing my work safety vest -- it was the first day of rifle season for deer in our area and I work for a wildlife agency, I know who's out there. I AM NOT A DEER JUST BECAUSE I MOVE.

 

[/pine]

... Oil is black as midnight...

If this is a diesel...?...

I didn't see anyone else mention that this is quite normal for diesels...so it does not necessarily mean the oil has not "ever" been changes...as long as there's not water in it it's nothing...

 

[Coyote machine]

Thanks on the chainsaws! They are GREAT!
To use the diff lock bring the wheels to full stop and then press the pedal, and use it in straight line forward or reverse, NOT turning. It really helps getting unstuck.

I agree about the vibration -- we run (and I maintain) a lot of small engines (outboard, surface air pumps for diving, etc) at work and it is amazing how many fasteners loosen and parts even wear and break over time simply due to vibration on a well-maintained engine. We have several parts that are at the bottom of a river thanks to this, including an $800 piece whose connection was very similar to the slide collar of a PTO shaft. It even had a safety clip... Oops.

So far, all the hoses I've seen have looked good, no leaks noticed yet, that little Shibaura diesel runs sweetly, and it feels solid driving. With a cleaning, an oil change and a grease attack, hopefully the only other issue will be rust and painting. Knock on wood the hydraulic lines will behave, now that I've fallen in love with my 4n1 bucket, I will feel lost if I can't play with it.

The only thing I haven't made work yet is the differential lock (I stomped but it didn't budge), but it's a rather opportunistic testing situation, so I reread the manual several times and I think I just needed to slow down the tire spin. Later experiment...

Oh and Coyote, congratulations, you own more chainsaws than I even though possible!

 

[rsallen]

So you're saying the mounting bolts loosen because they back out through vibration and not neckout because of fatigue?

The reason I'm pursuing this question is the guy that originally suggested I stay away from lock-tite for this application is that he's the go to guy in these parts for tractor answers as well as for obsolete parts. (he likes Fords)
So to me it's kind of a riddle I'd like to find an answer to.
I'd just as soon not to be retightening hard to get to bolts every few hundred hours.

 

[Coyote machine]

You're overthinking it. Locktite and done. Critical bolts on many machines come with Locktite already on the threads, ready to go. He may be the go to guy in your part of the woods, but he's not the answer man to all things technical, right?
BTW, you're overtaking the OP's thread....