3-Point Hitch Broke my PTO Differential Gear Case. Bearings shattered!

[V7Sport73]

I purchased a new King Kutter tiller for my 2015 B3200 Tractor. The PTO shaft was a bit long but I didn't think anything of it. On the B3200 it has the extendable ends on the lift arms. So I started tilling the yard and needed to lift the tiller up. The extensions slid back and locked in place. When I tried to set the tiller back down it smashed the bearings in the PTO housing. So now I will need to change out the Differential Gear Case. Anyone have suggestions on making the job easier? I've never had a tractor apart before. So any short cut ideas are welcome. I'm assuming I will have to take it apart piece by piece. I was hoping there is some way to remove entire assemblies example the removing the ROP or fenders at the same time so I can cut down the assembly time a little.




Shared album - Anthony Riselenger - Google Photos

 

[oosik]

What can I say........this will be an expensive lesson. Follow instructions - check pto shaft length - cut if required - before use.

 

[V7Sport73]

Yes, I knew better but hooked it up anyway. So now I get to know my tractor a lot better. I've got all the parts ordered already. So this will be a fun project! Besides someone had to set the example of what not to do!

 

[flingwing1969]

OUCH!! Thanks for the experience. The old saying about "if you don't make mistakes, you'll never learn anything" is true but it is much better to have a friend provide the "lesson".

 

[Ford850]

Yikes! You needed a new differential case, cover, bearings, seals, the whole shebang? The case has to be expensive. Document the change out with some pictures, and you'll have a nice thread for others to reference.

 

[V7Sport73]

So far about $600 in parts. That included new hydraulic fluid, HSD filters, and gray gasket cement. Once I have everything apart I will know if I need to purchase anything else. I will take the case down to our local transmission shop and have them reset all the bearings. Hopefully that will be all I need.

 

[npalen]

Aluminum?

 

[mikester]

I'm not 100% clear - it broke when the 3PH went down - so the PTO shaft bound and you pulled the PTO spindle out of the machine?

On my machine you'd be pulling the tractor apart and separating the mid case to get at all the bearings.

My condolences...hopefully the tranny case isn't damaged as well.

 

[oosik]

This is a real bum deal. Right on mikester - cross our toes for his tranny case & bearings. I saw this exact same thing loooooooong ago. So when I measured my pto shaft for my Wally chipper - I set it all up - lined it all up - took measurements - cut a piece of quarter round wood molding to the total overall length - then cut this length to what each half shaft would be - held it in place while the wife raised/lowered the 3-point. Shut everything down. Came back the following day and went thru the exact procedure - got the exact same cut length measurements and cut half what was necessary off both sections. I ended up with 12" of shaft overlap and they are 3" from touching at the closest.

I mean - how often does a guy really get any experience dealing with pto shaft measurements and cutting. For me - the pto shaft for the chipper was a one time deal and I probably will never have to do a pto shaft again.

 

[Fallon]

Yes, I knew better but hooked it up anyway. So now I get to know my tractor a lot better. I've got all the parts ordered already. So this will be a fun project! Besides someone had to set the example of what not to do!

I have a lack of 3pt ballast story resulting in pallet fork sized holes in the back or my barn...

 

[V7Sport73]

I'm not 100% clear - it broke when the 3PH went down - so the PTO shaft bound and you pulled the PTO spindle out of the machine?

On my machine you'd be pulling the tractor apart and separating the mid case to get at all the bearings.

My condolences...hopefully the tranny case isn't damaged as well.

Basically the PTO shaft was too long. This was my fault entirely. Next time I will make sure it is cut to fit correctly.

 

[V7Sport73]

Aluminum?

Yes, the Kubota has an Aluminum housing for the transmission and differential. This is the main reason I will have the transmission shop change out the bearings. The case should be heated before you press the bearing in. So I'm going to let someone that has lots of experience to this.

 

[JRobyn]

Oh SNAP!!

 

[Paystar]

Man, that's a bummer. But I'm actually surprised.....$600 in parts, oil and filters isn't as bad as I would have thought it would be. But I guess if you had to pay shop labor it would be more than double that.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Yes, the Kubota has an Aluminum housing for the transmission and differential. This is the main reason I will have the transmission shop change out the bearings. The case should be heated before you press the bearing in. So I'm going to let someone that has lots of experience to this.

I've pressed many a bearing in motorcycle aluminum cases. No heat required. I would be surprised if the interference was such that would required heat.

 

[deathtoblackberries]

What a total bummer for that to happen. I mean stuff happens but seriously not a good day sorry.

 

[flingwing1969]

Thank you for posting this though. We often buy used equipment and don't even think to check the driveshaft since what? "They always work." I have never had this issue but I sure can see how it could happen.

 

[npalen]

And a person tends to think of a 3PH and PTO as simple stuff but its amazing how easy it is to damage something. Adding TNT increases the the need to pay attention as it becomes even easier to damage something.

 

[V7Sport73]

I've pressed many a bearing in motorcycle aluminum cases. No heat required. I would be surprised if the interference was such that would required heat.

I could be wrong about heating the Kubota differential cases. I'm going to let the transmission shop worry about that one.

 

[V7Sport73]

Shop rate here is $89 bucks an hour. Not too bad in my opinion. I'm just not sure if I want someone else working on my tractor. I've heard too many stories about tractors sitting at dealerships for months only to come back with problems. I think it would be a fun project anyway. A real opportunity to get to know the tractor much better. It might be a few weeks before I get started but I will post pictures and give updates.