1531 great but...

ncampbell · Jun 19, 2009

Watch out for your bolts backing out of the frame on the front axle mount. There are 2 bolts that go into a small housing that has the front driveshaft running through it. Mine fell out at 110hrs. and broke the driveshaft off about 2 inches from the front. The dealer was great about it and I was without it for only a few days waiting on parts. They had never seen it happen but just thought I'd mention it so everybody checks theirs out. Maybe mine were loose when it left the factory? Besides this strange break, this thing is a tough little beast! Loving it!

1stmassey · Jun 20, 2009

Thanks for the heads up!! Glad you didn't have any problems getting it taken care of.

WilliamBos · Jun 20, 2009

ncampbell said:
Watch out for your bolts backing out of the frame on the front axle mount. There are 2 bolts that go into a small housing that has the front driveshaft running through it. Mine fell out at 110hrs. and broke the driveshaft off about 2 inches from the front. The dealer was great about it and I was without it for only a few days waiting on parts. They had never seen it happen but just thought I'd mention it so everybody checks theirs out. Maybe mine were loose when it left the factory? Besides this strange break, this thing is a tough little beast! Loving it!

Is this something that should be checked on all 1500 series??

ncampbell · Jun 21, 2009

not sure, but for the time it takes, check it out. Better safe than sorry!

ArTrvlr · Jun 26, 2009

More 1500 series loose fastener tales... I was mowing last week and a small (less than 1/4" dia.) screw fell out of the front of the cab ceiling, hit the dash and landed on the floor. I stopped and put it back in, and saw that there were two more like it just behind the windshield, and more on each side. I checked them and they were all loose.

Just an info note for others with a cab: This week I got my factory service manual and looked through the cab section and found out they are the screws that hold the roof panel on. Once they are removed the roof opens up like a hood.

Then yesterday I noticed a gleaming object on the ground just outside the shed where I park my tractor. It was a gold colored nut, just like all the ones on my tractor, so I feel sure that is where it came from. No other vehicle has driven in that area in over a year.

There are a lot of nuts and bolts on this tractor... but I may try to check most of them...

BTW, other than this, I have had NO problems with this tractor.
jp

MFRED · Jun 27, 2009

Part of every service, check fasteners. Very important in the early hours. Paint on paint makes it easy for things to loosen when the paint wears out.

ArTrvlr · Jun 28, 2009

MFRED said:
Paint on paint makes it easy for things to loosen when the paint wears out.

I agree, the paint between parts can be a factor. Esp. when the paint is thick like it is on my 1547 frame, engine and transmission/axle housings. They really laid it on thick, there are dried drips hanging everywhere on the underside, almost looks like it was dipped. But you can tell the axle pivot mounts were bolted on before the painter went wild. So there shouldn't be any paint between the parts, unless they painted both before and after assembly. The paint covers the bolts and lock washers, thick enough to seal the cracks between the bolts and washers. So after seeing that, I decided not to check torque with a wrench. If they ever move, the paint will have to crack, making for a quick, easy visual check every time I grease the pivot bushings.
jp

ncampbell · Jul 11, 2009

Okay, now I'm getting mad! I was doing some bushcutting for a customer and I lost all of my hydraulic pressure. I turned it off to check for leaks and check the oil level. Everything looked fine. I started it up again and made my way towards the truck. About a minute later I lost the pressure again, no FEL no steering, etc. Finally got it on the trailer and over to the dealer. They called me later in the day to ask if I had removed a shield or cover that is supposed to be on the mid pto which I don't even use. Apparently the grass wrapped around the shaft and got so tight, it popped the seal and got into the transaxle. It will be Wednesday before the seal comes in. Did I get a dud when I bought this 1531 or is it just plain old bad luck? It's hard to make money when it's in the shop! Does every other 1500 series have this shield? Maybe I need to make one so grass doesn't ruin my tractor,