TomSeller
Super Member
LS makes quality machines. I would just beef up those sections of your frame on your repair and not lose a lot of sleep over it. All brands have minor issues.
LS Frame Issue Video
- Thread starter boomer632
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LS makes quality machines. I would just beef up those sections of your frame on your repair and not lose a lot of sleep over it. All brands have minor issues.
hutchman
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I think the issue is simply the loader is too strong for the frame in that area. The loader mount distributes the weight around and I think (I'm not a materials expert) there are twisting forces in that area (not up/down but left to right or from top of frame to outside) and the cross member limits this on the bottom so that abrubt stop is where the stress is. As I said before, the 41/47 is three times thicker in that area.
So it isn't quality of steel ... its because LS gave us the highest capacity loader in its size/class and someone missed some 2nd and 3rd order effects of that choice.
And technically, the warranty is only 2yr general which is what the frame falls under. Yrs. 3-5 are power train related.
So it isn't quality of steel ... its because LS gave us the highest capacity loader in its size/class and someone missed some 2nd and 3rd order effects of that choice.
And technically, the warranty is only 2yr general which is what the frame falls under. Yrs. 3-5 are power train related.
hutchman
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Here is a visual of the differences.
This is the R3039 subframe:
This the the R4041 subframe (same as R4047):
This is the R3039 subframe:
This the the R4041 subframe (same as R4047):
Underdog57
Veteran Member
Great Post!!!!
Wow, 2 pictures are worth a thousand words. I hope LS stands up and reinforces all the 3039 frames, it clearly is a design defect which shouldn't be the responsibility of the current owners, no matter how old the tractors are.
rwork
Platinum Member
I called my dealer today, just to let them know that I was concerned about this issue, should it arise. They haven't had any of these issues, and were unaware.
I also spoke with Scott at RCO tractor in Texas, because I know they are a pretty big LS dealer. He did tell me that they had a couple instances of the frame issue, and that they put the support plates in those units. He told me not to loose any sleep over it, but would suggest I let my dealer know, just in case the issue ever arises.
BTW, he did mention that the new XR3037s now come with the support plates installed.
I also spoke with Scott at RCO tractor in Texas, because I know they are a pretty big LS dealer. He did tell me that they had a couple instances of the frame issue, and that they put the support plates in those units. He told me not to loose any sleep over it, but would suggest I let my dealer know, just in case the issue ever arises.
BTW, he did mention that the new XR3037s now come with the support plates installed.
DK35vince
Super Member
If they know they are having issues and could use a support plate, I would want the support plate on my machine before the issue comes up, not patching it up after.
rwork
Platinum Member
I may just send a note to LS, and see what their response is.
mangus580
Gold Member
Verdict is in....
They picked up my tractor early yestarday - sadly it sat on their lot all day, and didnt go in the shop until this morning :confused2: bummed, since I could have used it!
Anyway, they delivered it back tonight about 4:30!
When I stopped in yesterday afternoon to check on it, I was able to skim some more info. Seems my tractor had the latest frame design upgrade already. Not good since I managed to break it! But he said the new loader brackets should solve the issue. He said (and is evident from what I see now) that they bolt the new brackets in place, then tack weld them to the existing loader frame. Remove entire loader frame, and weld it properly. (see pictures).
Now - my service guy agrees with my concept, that its likely there was something metallurgical wrong with the original frame. Something that was maybe a 'bad batch' issue. He said he has only see one other 'new' frame broken, and it was exactly the same as mine, crack starting right at the edge of the weld like that. From what I understood, the older frames exhibited a different break....
They picked up my tractor early yestarday - sadly it sat on their lot all day, and didnt go in the shop until this morning :confused2: bummed, since I could have used it!
Anyway, they delivered it back tonight about 4:30!
When I stopped in yesterday afternoon to check on it, I was able to skim some more info. Seems my tractor had the latest frame design upgrade already. Not good since I managed to break it! But he said the new loader brackets should solve the issue. He said (and is evident from what I see now) that they bolt the new brackets in place, then tack weld them to the existing loader frame. Remove entire loader frame, and weld it properly. (see pictures).
Now - my service guy agrees with my concept, that its likely there was something metallurgical wrong with the original frame. Something that was maybe a 'bad batch' issue. He said he has only see one other 'new' frame broken, and it was exactly the same as mine, crack starting right at the edge of the weld like that. From what I understood, the older frames exhibited a different break....
Coyote machine
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Good thread.
I concur with DK35Vince, I too would want to get the brackets in place BEFORE a crack showed up, and wouldn't want to wait to see if so many years through warranty and xxx amount of hours later the fix would or might not be done on my machine, and covered under warranty. Something is/was amiss on some machines/all machines? and I'd want to have it solved instead of the dealer(s) /manufacturer's possible 'wait and see' approach to fixing those that clearly show cracks or worse, (possible frame breaks after the cracks become visible). Time limits on warranty repairs can interfere with what should be done for the tractor's owner, so long as they exercise their rights in a timely fashion. The cause of the cracks is less important than getting in the line for the fix.
Basically don't wait for LS to ask you to come to them - seek remedy now.:thumbsup:
I concur with DK35Vince, I too would want to get the brackets in place BEFORE a crack showed up, and wouldn't want to wait to see if so many years through warranty and xxx amount of hours later the fix would or might not be done on my machine, and covered under warranty. Something is/was amiss on some machines/all machines? and I'd want to have it solved instead of the dealer(s) /manufacturer's possible 'wait and see' approach to fixing those that clearly show cracks or worse, (possible frame breaks after the cracks become visible). Time limits on warranty repairs can interfere with what should be done for the tractor's owner, so long as they exercise their rights in a timely fashion. The cause of the cracks is less important than getting in the line for the fix.
Basically don't wait for LS to ask you to come to them - seek remedy now.:thumbsup:
