Branson Front Wheel Axle Failures

[DavesTractor]

Bruce, I'd say use 4wd whenever needed. I wouldn't wait until stuck. Yet I don't drive around town all the time with my Jeep in 4wd. I put it in 4wd when needed. Even on forest roads and trails, 2wd until it gets rough or slick. Just use common sense.

 

[Stimw]

Ssoooo............. Don't use 4 wheel drive unless you are stuck. And, load the rear tires? B.

It's a tractor. NOT a bulldozer or a $200K loader.
Some people get carried away and things break.

 

[Texasmark]

After a close look at the pics, the axle did not break. It was twisted off.
There are circular marks on the parts.
I have had my 3510 since 2005 when I had 2 acres, I now have 10 acres.
They are great tractors BUT I would not consider it for 125 acres unless it was for minor use with a larger industrial tractor to do the work!
I have picked up logs with my FEL and forks and had the tractor crab walk from so much weight but I babied it when I did.

I twisted my drive shaft "off" once. I was loading wet sand in a sand pit and the road (sand path) out of the hole was at least 30 degrees. 1979 International cab over combination, 35 ft end dump, 25 tons of slush, 800 cu. in. 400 hp Big Cam Cummins.......it can be done with an abusive operator.

 

[LincTex]

I twisted my drive shaft "off" once. I was loading wet sand in a sand pit and the road (sand path) out of the hole was at least 30 degrees. 25 tons of slush, .......it can be done with an abusive operator.

Lots of traction + Lots of torque = something's gotta "give"

 

[rasorbackq]

Yesterday I had a second stub axle twist off 8 years from new . Been working with the log winch now for a couple weeks and just dropped off a stick of fire wood maybe a 200 lbs . backed up a few feet and it let go. Drove 4 hrs round trip to get the part and repaired to find out the seal is shot this time too. Last time 1.5 yeras ago was the left front and this time its the right front.
I did buy 2 as it will be needed.

 

[Cougsfan]

Bruce, I'd say use 4wd whenever needed. I wouldn't wait until stuck. Yet I don't drive around town all the time with my Jeep in 4wd. I put it in 4wd when needed. Even on forest roads and trails, 2wd until it gets rough or slick. Just use common sense.

I use 4wd almost all the time. When I take it out of 4wd, I start digging holes with the rear tire all to frequently. The only time I take it out of 4wd is when I am working in closed tight areas and turning very sharply. I find I can turn a lot sharper using the left and right brakes when not in 4wd.

 

[rasorbackq]

Yesterday I hauled apart the left side again to check if the crack has started . It has not after 1 . 5 years use. My new maintenance plan is with every front axle oil change both side are coming apart to see if the crack has started. Not going to take all that long with tire removal , 9 bolts out then 2 more inside and the stub axle pulls out for inspection.


The parts place tells me it has something to do with how far the wheels can turn left and right This tractor when turned all the way the wheels are almost 90 deg to the back . They say there needs to be a limit bar install inside the power steering assist tube to set the distance for turning.
As for 4 wd Its almost always on as the tractor doesn't turn in 2 wd . Its only off when traveling on the asphalt .

 

[Branson Bob]

The parts place tells me it has something to do with how far the wheels can turn left and right This tractor when turned all the way the wheels are almost 90 deg to the back . They say there needs to be a limit bar install inside the power steering assist tube to set the distance for turning.

As for 4 wd Its almost always on as the tractor doesn't turn in 2 wd . Its only off when traveling on the asphalt .

Just a note to those who use their MFWD a lot to enhance turning. Because I have so much use for it I've taken to keeping the backhoe on the tractor almost continuously. All that weight behind the rear axle causes the tractor to be light in the front end. This often causes "snowplowing" where the front wheels are turned but the tractor continues going straight ahead.

A better alternative (IMO) to engaging the MFWD is to split the brakes (at the pedal) and brake the wheel (tractor brakes typically only act on the rear wheels) on the side that you want to turn. For example, if the tractor doesn't want to turn left, split the brake pedal and brake the left wheel. The tractor will pivot on the immobile left wheel and turn left with no problem.

 

[rasorbackq]

My Branson (I'm the second owner) with only 100 hrs on it 5 years ago . Brakes didn't stop anything ever. Dont think they worked from day one. Cruise control didn't work as the switches for the brakes were always on. They are now disconnected so cruise works.

 

[Branson Bob]

My Branson (I'm the second owner) with only 100 hrs on it 5 years ago . Brakes didn't stop anything ever. Dont think they worked from day one. Cruise control didn't work as the switches for the brakes were always on. They are now disconnected so cruise works.

The brakes never worked but you disconnected them to allow the cruise control to work?

I hope your land is very flat.