3 pt housing broke, can it be welded or should be replaced?

[srx700pilot]

Hi All. I have a deere 4400 that the housing(cant find a part number) where the center 3 point hitch attaches just below the hydraulic oil filler, cracked about 5 inches. Can this be welded or does it need to be replaced? Does anyone know what part number that piece is or what it is called? I'll try to add a picture. Thanks to all and any help in advance.

 

[srx700pilot]

I'll try to add a picture. It is cracked above and below where the center 3 pt is.

 

[beenthere]

Ouch!

Here is the part.

How did it happen? Any sudden impact?

M136620 looks like the part #

 

[srx700pilot]

Thanks for the fast reply, and for the part number. The only thing I can think of to damage it was having my neighbor lift the rear end up by the attached box scraper in the winter and pushing me sideways (not my idea!) to get it unstuck. Thats the only impact I can think of. Does anyone have an opinion on repairing it, having it repaired with a new housing, being able to find a used one, and/ or how difficult of a job is it to replace myself? I'll take any advice at all. Does anyone have an idea of cost to fix this thing? I also need a hood for the 4400 please if anyone has or knows where I can get one. The wind ripped the hood off and blew it down the street breaking the plastic into a hundred pieces. Thanks again to all.

 

[mfreund]

I remember there was a post of someone with a 4310 that broke the same housing. I just cannot lay my hands on the post. There is a total rebuild of a 4300 by dfkrug, it may have the pics you need in the 58 posts. Even if you have it welded I believe the housing would have to come off for repair. As for the hood, you might try eBay. Good luck and keep us posted. Take pictures for the next guy!!!

 

[TedLaRue]

Whether you replace it or repair it, you'll have to remove it. After doing that, you'll be better informed.

That crack could be brazed yielding about 2/3 the original strength (that's what I was taught in a welding course years ago). Drill a small hole at each end of the crack, grind a V into the crack about 2/3 the thickness of the wall, then braze it, possibly making two or three passes. The reason for drilling the holes is to keep the crack from growing as a result of the heat from brazing it.

I suppose some brave soul could try brazing it as-is without removing it from the machine, but cherry red iron....and not knowing exactly what's on the other side...would make me very nervous and worried about leaving burnt oil residue at best, or experiencing an explosion at worst.

Sorry to hear about your busted hood. That part isn't going to be cheap. Maybe your homeowner's insurance covers it?

 

[beenthere]

For kicks, google the part no., and one site that comes up is
John-Deere, 4400, Hydraulic-Systems, Sub-Component, ROCKSHAFT HOUSING, M136620 at Wengers Of Myerstown

Says out of stock, but price was $300.

Seems an attempt to weld or braze would be worth it. Some distortion from welding shouldn't have an effect on the function of anything but pinning the top arm.

Might be a good excuse to get the CD or paper back tech manual, as there is a procedure spelled out for removing and installation there.

I also remember the other thread, but can't put my finger on it. Don't recall the end result either.

Same part no. for the 4300, and may well be for the 4200 too.

 

[RoyJackson]

It doesn't appear to be leaking...have you seen any evidence of leakage?

If it's not leaking, you might want to try stop drilling both ends of the crack to prevent further propagation. Plug the stop drill holes with an epoxy filler.
At this point, you may be able to do this with the casting mounted on the tractor...at least as a temporary repair until you can find a replacement or determine if the casting has to be removed for a more permanent (weld) repair. That temporary repair could well last the life of the tractor...if the crack doesn't propagate further.

I noticed the part beenthere linked to was a used casting...might be out of stock until they get another parts tractor (meaning, a long time).

 

[srx700pilot]

It is leaking, not to bad. But does appear to get worse with every use. The picture doesnt show it, but it is cracked below the 3 point also, so its even worse than it looks. I will discuss it with another neighbor that happens to be a welder for a profession. I would have to imagine it was from the skidster picking up the tractor by the box scrapper and pushing it sideways.

 

[dfkrug]

Thanks for the fast reply, and for the part number. The only thing I can think of to damage it was having my neighbor lift the rear end up by the attached box scraper in the winter and pushing me sideways (not my idea!) to get it unstuck. Thats the only impact I can think of. Does anyone have an opinion on repairing it, having it repaired with a new housing, being able to find a used one, and/ or how difficult of a job is it to replace myself? I'll take any advice at all. Does anyone have an idea of cost to fix this thing? I also need a hood for the 4400 please if anyone has or knows where I can get one. The wind ripped the hood off and blew it down the street breaking the plastic into a hundred pieces. Thanks again to all.

Ouch. If you can get a new rockshaft cover for as little as $300, grab it.
That's only a bit more than a new hood carcass. Save all the parts to your
old hood! If you have to buy them, too, it's another $150+!

If you can find a used one, I do not know if a 4x10 cover is the same as
a 4x00 cover like you have. They went to electric-actuated PTOs for the
4x10s. Check the part#s on JD parts.com to be sure.

Oh yeah, it's a pretty big job to replace the cover, but at least it's not
splitting the tractor.