Kama KM554 rebuild and upgrades

Bob Rooks · Dec 26, 2021

Spiral bevel tooth picture looks pretty bad - high and concentrated tooth contact. Yeah, tractor and truck differential shouldn't have any "slop" at all. I think spiral bevel backlash is around .005" .006", and hypoid is around .003". Ring gear is pitted (it's a crap shoot), pinion gear is toast (broken top lands). Something has been floating around in that axle besides dirty oil. You need some new gears for sure.

shawn999 · Dec 26, 2021

Bob Rooks said:
Spiral bevel tooth picture looks pretty bad - high and concentrated tooth contact. Yeah, tractor and truck differential shouldn't have any "slop" at all. I think spiral bevel backlash is around .005" .006", and hypoid is around .003". Ring gear is pitted (it's a crap shoot), pinion gear is toast (broken top lands). Something has been floating around in that axle besides dirty oil. You need some new gears for sure.

Bob,
Checked the manual and it does call out a spec. Says .15-.3mm backlash when new. Slightly more used. I'll have to measure. It's not just the pinion and ring gear, all the bevel gears have tons of backlash but show no wear so maybe it's normal. If the ring and pinion are readily available I'll get new ones.

Carl_NH · Dec 27, 2021

Agree if you can get the at least the ring, and pinion would be good while you have it apart, but they aren't terrible if you cant, as long as you get the metal shavings out and can shim for a good fit you have some years left in them.

shawn999 · Dec 28, 2021

I think it needs some new brakes!
I knew this going in, as this is one of the main reasons to tear down. Brakes were always poor. Previous owner wore them out I guess.

I can order them, but wondering if they are same as other tractor. Any idea?

shawn999 · Dec 28, 2021

8.8- 8.825" OD
26 spline
.875" friction width

Carl_NH · Dec 29, 2021

Tractor Supply has replacement disks but none appear to be 26 spline, then yesterday's tractors has some too Ford Brake Disc for Ford 3550,4000,4200,4500 - C5NN2A097B This is the closest spline wise.. Oliver Brake Disc for Oliver Super 55,66,Super 66,550,660,White 2-44 - 106690A

IMO if you can get the Kama disc for a reasonable cost ($60-80 ea) that would be the best, as most discs are going to be at least $30-40 ea and may or may not fit exactly.

shawn999 · Dec 29, 2021

Carl_NH said:
Tractor Supply has replacement disks but none appear to be 26 spline, then yesterday's tractors has some too Ford Brake Disc for Ford 3550,4000,4200,4500 - C5NN2A097B This is the closest spline wise.. Oliver Brake Disc for Oliver Super 55,66,Super 66,550,660,White 2-44 - 106690A

IMO if you can get the Kama disc for a reasonable cost ($60-80 ea) that would be the best, as most discs are going to be at least $30-40 ea and may or may not fit exactly.

Thanks for looking Carl.
The place I normally get parts is not responding. Probably taking some holiday time off.
I also emailed Artrac. Asked if they still carry Kama parts. They haven't responded yet.
I emailed a relining place to see if that's an option.

Carl_NH · Dec 29, 2021

Yea - relining is what I thought too might be the best bet - are these wet brakes in oil? Probably makes a difference in relining adhesive/approach.

shawn999 · Dec 29, 2021

Carl_NH said:
Yea - relining is what I thought too might be the best bet - are these wet brakes in oil? Probably makes a difference in relining adhesive/approach.

Yes. Wet.

Carl_NH · Dec 29, 2021

Here are several articles on relining brakes: Yes you can bond on new pads with epoxy and pressure and or rivets (the most common) if you don't mind drilling your rotors for the rivets. Brakes in HST tractors don't get much use, but in gear tractors and farming applications the brakes are used for stopping and "brake turning" stopping one wheel to swivel the tractor into the next row. I did this a lot on the farm when plowing.

IMO, if seems like any material will work, even leather!, so sum and substance you can probably find brake pad materials, cut it to fit, then bond and rivet this on your tractor for less than $30-40 total.

Brake Lining or Replacement