Front differential locked up while I was driving down the road and now it's stuck and won't move

[TxStyle513]

After fixing or thought I had fixed my Massey Ferguson 1233 and I was driving it down the road cruising second gear and all sudden my front differential locked up and I nearly endowed over now it's stuck and I can't get my tractor home and it's about a mile down the road from my house any tips on what I can do besides call the wrecker

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I'm thinking you're going to need a wrecker to get it out of the road and get it home. If you're sure it's the actual differential, there really isn't any easy way to get it to freewheel the diff while working on it in the road. Sounds like broken gears and a diff teardown to me.

 

[Torvy]

Welcome! Wish it were under better circumstances. Wrecker or similar makes sense.

 

[plastikosmd]

I’d probably try something stupid like strap the 2 front tires onto 2 of those wheel dollies that you (put under all 4 tires) to move a vehicle around and limp it home (if on asphalt.)

Likely wouldn’t work out well but the video would be worth it


(Safer would be one of those towable car dollie/trailers that you put the front wheels on and tow-
Wife would be calling AAA while I’m trying this)



Gl!

 

[lilranch2001]

I’d probably try something stupid like strap the 2 front tires onto 2 of those wheel dollies that you (put under all 4 tires) to move a vehicle around and limp it home (if on asphalt.)

Likely wouldn’t work out well but the video would be worth it


(Safer would be one of those towable car dollie/trailers that you put the front wheels on and tow-
Wife would be calling AAA while I’m trying this)



Gl!

I agree with the video while you were trying it, then post it on the “towing things wrong” thread here on TBN!

 

[Tinhack]

I think you were in four-wheel drive and the ring gear gave up the ghost. Shame, shame, shame. Rent a dolly to get it home. Or tell the dealer where it is and have them pick it up and fix it.

 

[5030]

I think you were in four-wheel drive and the ring gear gave up the ghost. Shame, shame, shame. Rent a dolly to get it home. Or tell the dealer where it is and have them pick it up and fix it.

Better yet, hope someone 'creams' it and collect the insurance and buy a Kubota....lol

Never, ever, ever run on dry pavement or dry hard packed stone in FWA.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Better yet, hope someone 'creams' it and collect the insurance and buy a Kubota....lol

Never, ever, ever run on dry pavement or dry hard packed stone in FWA.

They don't listen. I've said that from the get go.

 

[rScotty]

Better yet, hope someone 'creams' it and collect the insurance and buy a Kubota....lol

Never, ever, ever run on dry pavement or dry hard packed stone in FWA.

They don't listen. I've said that from the get go.

Wouldn't running 4wd on asphalt be more likely to take out the front driveshaft than the ring and pinion?
Maybe he got lucky.

First thing I would do is look underneath to see if it is some obvious front drive shaft problem and if so then disconnect the shaft. Then drive home.

Alternatively, that is a very small tractor. Most anything will lift the front. Take a larger tractor down there and lift the front of the MF up with a chain to the larger tractor's 3pt. Tow it home.

 

[Harry in Ky]

I'm still curious about the problem that was recently "fixed' just prior to this incident. What conditions/symptoms were experienced and what repairs constituted the "fix"? We haven'r heard that part yet.

 

[Jstpssng]

Wouldn't running 4wd on asphalt be more likely to take out the front driveshaft than the ring and pinion?
Maybe he got lucky.

First thing I would do is look underneath to see if it is some obvious front drive shaft problem and if so then disconnect the shaft. Then drive home.

Alternatively, that is a very small tractor. Most anything will lift the front. Take a larger tractor down there and lift the front of the MF up with a chain to the larger tractor's 3pt. Tow it home.

If he has a loader he already has something to lift the front end.

 

[WranglerX]

Does not have to be in FW to have front diff failure..... Failure is a failure....

 

[5030]

Does not have to be in FW to have front diff failure..... Failure is a failure....

Very true as the front differential (and drive shaft) is rotating whether it's in 2WD or 4WD, makes no difference what so ever and I've never seen ANY tractor with front locking hubs.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Does not have to be in FW to have front diff failure..... Failure is a failure....

Of course; however it does increase the chances of failure. This is being a little presumptuous of us, though, to assume OP had the front wheels locked in. He's new to the site, so let's give him a break. @5030 lost his patience and understanding somewhere around 40 years ago, lol, the fools he suffered broke him.

I can't say too much though, my tolerances seem to vary from moment to moment.

 

[5030]

@5030 lost his patience and understanding somewhere around 40 years ago, lol, the fools he suffered broke him.

That happens when you surpass the 73 year old mark. Especially when it comes to running in FWA on dry pavement or packed gravel roads. FWA is meant as a traction increaser on loose dirt or in the mud, not driving down the road. People do it anyway and then 'suffer' the consequences.

Having said that and not being familiar with this brand of tractor, both my Kubota's have a 2 piece front propellor shaft joined with a splined collar and retained with a roll pin that can be removed (roll pin) and the collar slid back (or removed entirely) that totally disengages the front axle. I've replaced them more than once because the splined collar is soft and the splined ends of the propellor shaft is hardened and tempered and when you rack up lots of hours (like I do), the collar gets sloppy and causes noise so I replace it, New collar(dealer item) costs 50 bucks.

 

[lilranch2001]

I’m assuming most of you guys are young bucks…

But 5030 is 73, I am rolling up on 71…..

You young bucks get to look forward to getting to be grumpy old bastages like me n 5030!

 

[tacticalturnip]

I’m assuming most of you guys are young bucks…

But 5030 is 73, I am rolling up on 71…..

You young bucks get to look forward to getting to be grumpy old bastages like me n 5030!

I'll be 37 in a few days, and courtesy of some life choices, I relate to you grumpy old 'bastages' more than I do folks of my own generation.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Wouldn't running 4wd on asphalt be more likely to take out the front driveshaft than the ring and pinion?
Maybe he got lucky.

First thing I would do is look underneath to see if it is some obvious front drive shaft problem and if so then disconnect the shaft. Then drive home.

Alternatively, that is a very small tractor. Most anything will lift the front. Take a larger tractor down there and lift the front of the MF up with a chain to the larger tractor's 3pt. Tow it home.

Every time I've seen things go bad it was never the driveshaft. If the driveshaft came loose, how could that stop the machine? Usually, but not always, after they spend a few grand, they'll make sure it's off all the time. Or, they take out the broke pieces and have a two wheel drive tractor.

 

[5030]

Or, they take out the broke pieces and have a two wheel driv

That leaks gear oil like a sieve of course....lol

 

[5030]

I'll be 37 in a few days, and courtesy of some life choices, I relate to you grumpy old 'bastages' more than I do folks of my own generation.

If I waas 37 again, I'd be a hoe....