Finally broke something

Tymanthius · Feb 17, 2019

Went to move some small downed trash trees today and when I looked down one of my front tires was pointed the wrong way. The bar that goes between the fronts broke just a bit inboard of the joint at the wheel.

This sucks. Tractor is still in warranty, so shouldn't cost me anything, except maybe a wrecker to pick it up if I decide to send it in instead of just getting the part.

I may do that as it's time for the 50 hour service anyway.

Deere Dude · Feb 17, 2019

Good luck with the warranty claim.

oosik · Feb 17, 2019

That's what I was thinking, Deere Dude. The OP must realize - he has a tractor, not a D8 dozer.

4570Man · Feb 17, 2019

oosik said:
That's what I was thinking, Deere Dude. The OP must realize - he has a tractor, not a D8 dozer.

I seriously doubt LS is going to pay for operator error.

Diggin It · Feb 17, 2019

Tymanthius said:
Went to move some small downed trash trees today and when I looked down one of my front tires was pointed the wrong way. The bar that goes between the fronts broke just a bit inboard of the joint at the wheel.

This sucks. Tractor is still in warranty, so shouldn't cost me anything, .

As you can see, we need pictures and more details about what happened and how. If it was a bad weld for example, you might be covered. If you ran into/over something, you probably won't be.

Tymanthius · Feb 17, 2019

Diggin It said:
As you can see, we need pictures and more details about what happened and how. If it was a bad weld for example, you might be covered. If you ran into/over something, you probably won't be.

I'm not going to get pics right now, but it's flat ground, no stumps, I'd just driven it ~800ft in largely straight lines down my gravel drive and across a yard. Was just moving back and forth with a light load in the grapple.

It looks like it's broken just behind the the threads for the toe(?) adjustment. Any time I am working in the woods, I have the grapple pretty low to scrape stuff up.

I really don't think this is OP error (not that I haven't made such), but considering it was just a week or two ago that my tractor was fully operational from the dealer (leaks, more leaks, and a bad 3rd function switch), I'm more inclined to go with this is warranty. Especially considering the other guy who had a similar failure and he modified his. Mine isn't modified.

ruffdog · Feb 17, 2019

Sometimes, where it broke you can see half of it is rusty or darker, meaning it had been cracked for a while.

Tymanthius · Feb 18, 2019

ruffdog said:
Sometimes, where it broke you can see half of it is rusty or darker, meaning it had been cracked for a while.

I'll look at it again this evening, but other than mud, I didn't notice any discoloring. My dealer is ordering parts today.

I'll try to take it apart and get a good look at it 'soon'.

papachaz · Feb 18, 2019

Tymanthius said:
I'll look at it again this evening, but other than mud, I didn't notice any discoloring. My dealer is ordering parts today.

I'll try to take it apart and get a good look at it 'soon'.

not trying to start anything, but did you notice all the ones saying it won't be covered own different brand tractors? I find that curious as to how they know what LS will do when they own orange and green....

almost as curious as to why they are in the LS thread anyway, trolls maybe?

Tymanthius · Feb 18, 2019

papachaz said:
not trying to start anything, but did you notice all the ones saying it won't be covered own different brand tractors? I find that curious as to how they know what LS will do when they own orange and green....

almost as curious as to why they are in the LS thread anyway, trolls maybe?

I did not notice.

I did have some issues w/ my dealer's service dept, but the sales guy was very good and helpful. Essentially, the service dept never put a load on the 3rd function hydraulics, so missed 1 leak that was fairly minor under no load, and much worse one under load. Then there was a known issue from the factory that the buttons on the handle were bad. I don't entirely blame them for that bit, as the manufacturer was quick to ID and sent a new handle with bright red buttons.

But I've been happy over all with how they have responded, even if they aren't quick.