Branson Front Wheel Axle Failures

[CliffNeudorf]

There have been really great comments in this thread but I remain concerned about safety. I have gained a lot of insight from you folks. I gather that Daves Tractor as a dealer has seen a number of Branson axle failures as well as similar failures with other manufacturers. It seems that there are three axle failure groupings; 1) failures attributed to the operators operation of the equipment, 2) failures attributed to overload of the front axle and 3) other failures due to faulty parts as supplied by the manufacturer. Whatever the source the failures result in the same thing, the wheel departing the tractor. Usually the failure has a benign economic impact it seems but it could easily result in rollover and injury to the operator or serious injury or worse to the occupants of oncoming vehicles if the wheel departs when operating on a public road.

For item 1) failures Kukje should provide clearer guidance on operation of the tractor with FEL in the operators manual. What Dave and others have said is quite sensible and should be replicated in the Operators manual. Kukje should also provide clear instructions for item 2) failures in the operators manual stating how to establish the correct aft loading of the tractor to ensure that the loading of the front axles remains within limits when operating a FEL with a bucket or attachments on it. To my knowledge this information just is not available to date, to anybody. This lack of operational information is also a safety issue in my opinion. Perhaps the dealers reading this thread could help lobby Kukje and Branson to get this information published. Also Kukje needs to correct the existing published information where Kukje says: "This tractor is not designed for road driving. Please use a truck to move this machine on the public roads." and then the operators manual goes on to advise how to safely operate on the road.

 

[CADplans]

There have been really great comments in this thread but I remain concerned about safety.

In my opinion,, there is only one answer,,, the right machine, with a lot of axle.
If you are gonna do a lot of work,,, get a lot of machine.

I purchased this, with a loader,, it was 15 years old at the time,,, I have used it an additional 20 years.

It is only 60HP,, and has never been used with ballast, on purpose,

The loader gets LOTS of use.

Zero axle failures,, (it seldom needs 4WD),, It cost me $5,000, I paid the asking price.

 

[DavesTractor]

Cliff,

We have seen some failures because we sell a ton of Branson tractors. A dealer that sells a couple dozen a year, depending on what sort of abuse a tractor was put through, may go years and years without seeing an axle failure. I have no data, only seat of the pants opinions, but I think you will find a similar failure rate on axles and axle shafts across brands. I do not wish to get a brand war going, but if you take a common tractor - pick a volume tractor from a known quality brand like NH or JD or Kubota and google for front axle problems and you will find many. The fact is that the manufacturers give us enough power and capacity to break a tractor if we are not operating correctly. To do otherwise would be to give us a very anemic tractor that lifts about nothing.

I won't argue against the fact that the manual is not a course on tractor operation or a skills course. Maybe more can or should be said about that. There is always room for improvement. But the usages for which a tractor is purchased, the terrain, the operator's needs, the operator's skills, the attachments used - this can vary a great deal. It would be hard to cover all the bases. As to the conflict about using a truck to move the tractor and then advising how to drive a tractor on the road, seems they should resolve that or clarify.

TBN is a great place to learn. Safety is important, and perhaps this thread will help others and you will have provided a service.

 

[DavesTractor]

In my opinion,, there is only one answer,,, the right machine, with a lot of axle.
If you are gonna do a lot of work,,, get a lot of machine.

I purchased this, with a loader,, it was 15 years old at the time,,, I have used it an additional 20 years.

It is only 60HP,, and has never been used with ballast, on purpose,

The loader gets LOTS of use.

Zero axle failures,, (it seldom needs 4WD),, It cost me $5,000, I paid the asking price.

That is the coolest tractor. Look at that massive axle! If you want your $5000 back, I think we can arrange for that!

 

[CADplans]

That is the coolest tractor. Look at that massive axle!

If you want your $5000 back, I think we can arrange for that!

You will have to arrange that,, at a later date,, with my heirs,,, :laughing:

I have four 4WD tractors,, the IH would be the last to go,,,,

 

[CliffNeudorf]

I think people don't realize that every time they may abuse their tractor/loader, it may not outright break then and there, but they break it just a little. So they figure, no harm done, and may even be impressed at what they can do, but they are wrong. It will catch up to them.

That axle shaft probably didn't break from one incident. It most likely failed over time.

With Industrial Toys comment and others like it in this thread, it seems to me that there is a second unaddressed safety issue. That is the reselling of used tractors that may have already experienced fatigue cracks or stress risors such that the health of a front axle spindle is compromised but not evident to the eye. I see no published instructions from Kukje/Branson informing the dealer or the purchaser of used tractors concerning how to ensure that unhealthy axles are not unwittingly being passed on to unsuspecting customers. I would appreciate opinions on this, particularly from you dealers if you are inclined to comment. I am wondering if special inspections need to be developed to determine the axle's health prior to resale.

 

[aczlan]

With Industrial Toys comment and others like it in this thread, it seems to me that there is a second unaddressed safety issue. That is the reselling of used tractors that may have already experienced fatigue cracks or stress risors such that the health of a front axle spindle is compromised but not evident to the eye. I see no published instructions from Kukje/Branson informing the dealer or the purchaser of used tractors concerning how to ensure that unhealthy axles are not unwittingly being passed on to unsuspecting customers. I would appreciate opinions on this, particularly from you dealers if you are inclined to comment. I am wondering if special inspections need to be developed to determine the axle's health prior to resale.

There is no way to check unless something is bent or loose in the spindle without taking the front axle apart.


Aaron Z

 

[PapeCAT]

Sorry for the hijack but does that front axle articulate on that IH 584? Looks cool, I've never seen a MFWD in that style.

 

[CADplans]

Sorry for the hijack but does that front axle articulate on that IH 584? Looks cool, I've never seen a MFWD in that style.

It is a steering axle,, just like a 2WD.

 

[rasorbackq]

Here is mine from the spring

I was moving dirt . Drove into pile and continued to drive to get more dirt Rear tires spun some and heard a click no movement. Thought it came out of gear lifted bucket tried to reverse. Rear tires spun front didn't.
Dumped load and tried reverse . started to move and tire fell off.
$500 later