Broke my B26TLB rear axle shaft

   / Broke my B26TLB rear axle shaft #1  

civilian

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2015
Messages
1,819
Location
Vanderbilt, MI
Tractor
Gravely Pro 16 walk behind, Kubota BX2230, Kubota B26TLB
Sunday was not a good day for me. Was supposed to be an easy day, haul some dirt back to a clearing to level a spot for a deer blind. On about the 3rd trip back, and just into the clearing, thump, and right rear corner droped down to the ground. Wheel was on an axle, and no the lug nuts did not just come off. They were all there and tight. Got off the tractor and saw the remaing shaft in the outer bearing sheared off and fluid running out the shaft hole. Was able to release the latch on the backhoe and drop it back to the ground and also get the out rigger down. By this time, very little hydraulic preesure left in the system. Shut the engine down. Went back to the house to get some jack stands and the 4ft tall farm jack on the other tractor and went back out. Also brought cribbing. Was able to lift it up on the backhoe frame and get the stands undet on some 2x's.

Left till this morning, and called local dealer. Described the situation to the service write up person. Told them which part number the axle shaft was. They agreed and added some other items, ie bearing, seals, to the estimate and pick up and delivery and repair labor to fix. I said today was nice, rest of week rain was forecasted. All morning their phone has been off the hook from all problems that were created on a long weekend by the visiting weekend warriors. They couldn't tell me when they could pickup but the driver would call for directions.

Now the wife and I had to open the trail large enough for their rollback with my tractor on it. About 2pm, driver called and said he had a delivery in my area and would come by afterwards to load mine.

He arrived by 3:30pm and by 4:30pm he was pulling out of the clearing. So now I wait. Jon

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   / Broke my B26TLB rear axle shaft #3  
Sunday was not a good day for me. Was supposed to be an easy day, haul some dirt back to a clearing to level a spot for a deer blind. On about the 3rd trip back, and just into the clearing, thump, and right rear corner droped down to the ground. Wheel was on an axle, and no the lug nuts did not just come off. They were all there and tight. Got off the tractor and saw the remaing shaft in the outer bearing sheared off and fluid running out the shaft hole. Was able to release the latch on the backhoe and drop it back to the ground and also get the out rigger down. By this time, very little hydraulic preesure left in the system. Shut the engine down. Went back to the house to get some jack stands and the 4ft tall farm jack on the other tractor and went back out. Also brought cribbing. Was able to lift it up on the backhoe frame and get the stands undet on some 2x's.

Left till this morning, and called local dealer. Described the situation to the service write up person. Told them which part number the axle shaft was. They agreed and added some other items, ie bearing, seals, to the estimate and pick up and delivery and repair labor to fix. I said today was nice, rest of week rain was forecasted. All morning their phone has been off the hook from all problems that were created on a long weekend by the visiting weekend warriors. They couldn't tell me when they could pickup but the driver would call for directions.

Now the wife and I had to open the trail large enough for their rollback with my tractor on it. About 2pm, driver called and said he had a delivery in my area and would come by afterwards to load mine.

He arrived by 3:30pm and by 4:30pm he was pulling out of the clearing. So now I wait. Jon

View attachment 4015088View attachment 4015089View attachment 4015090
What a clean break! Fresh Too!

I doubt my B2601, without the BH will see a load to do that. But I'm going to take the warning, and NOT overload the carry all!
 
   / Broke my B26TLB rear axle shaft #4  
Wow, that's crazy!

Did your dealer give you any idea on the repair timeframe?
 
   / Broke my B26TLB rear axle shaft #5  
He arrived by 3:30pm and by 4:30pm he was pulling out of the clearing. So now I wait. Jon
Really bad news. How many hours on your TLB?
 
   / Broke my B26TLB rear axle shaft #6  
The little backhoes add a lot of ballast to the rear.
Any wheel spacers? Are the tires loaded?
Hate to see that happen, good luck with her.
 
   / Broke my B26TLB rear axle shaft #7  
I never would a thunk it was possible. I had thought about this for the front axle and carying loads on the bucket, just not the rear.

Hope its not as costly as you expect.
 
   / Broke my B26TLB rear axle shaft
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Really there was no extra load on the rear axle. Should have been a bit less then normal because of the full bucket of dirt cantilevering the rear. Yes tires are loaded. Axle shafts are about 9" from outer bearing to hub. This is because of full frame going to the rear for the backhoe. And frame supports a non removeable loader frame and full 4 post roll cage. (Backhoe has not been off in the 7 years I have had it.) Parts are ordered, about 3 to 4 days. Service gave me indication of repairing next week, driver said a couple of weeks. Between 2200 hours and 2500 hours. Don't need it next week because of other commitments. Had 20yds of driveway gravel planned for this week but was able to cancel that. That probably won't happen till next year now. Fall chores (leaves, mowing) coming up soon which mostly uses BX2230.

Parts estimated at $1400, 6 hours for pickup and delivery, 6 hours for repairs. Didn't think that was bad compared to other work I have done lately. Work includes hydraulic filters and full hydraulic fluid because it puked it out the shaft hole. Shaft broke at outer bearing edge. And both bearings and other internal parts.

Thanks for questions and comments. Jon
 
   / Broke my B26TLB rear axle shaft
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Years ago my son in Steamboat needed to borrow our 2005 Camry. He hd a friend needing a way back from Michigan. I had a local oil change place change oil. Guy took it out, all ok. After a while son was driving out there, left to go to work on morning. Got about 3 house down the street, car quit. He started it up ran a few feet more and it quit again. Then he relized light on dash. I don't remember if it was check oil or low oil. Pushed it back home. Had repair come get it to fix it.They found no oil filter. It was a spin on. Not in drive, or along road. No oil puddle in drive. Don't know what caused it. I went ut towed it home and had an used engine installed. Talked to insurance. Adjuster accepted claim and repair bill, and my expenses to pick up was covered.

So thinking the same type for my tractor, I have also started a claim for this on my home insurance. Dealer says they work with insurance adjusters all the time. So we will see. The adjuster is already on his way to see it. Jon
 

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