Another Drive-shaft/Input shaft problem

[Gregster613]

Hi all,
Well, I thought all along that I was safe from the drive-shaft problems as I had an 2009 model. Hast-La-Vista to to that thought!!

450 hours; I'm doing an oil change, & plan to grease the input shaft as always - I'm laying down under tractor and "really looking" at my shaft and I realize there are "no" U-joints -- [like others have posted pictures of] ...Since I had zerk fittings and was greasing it; I always thought of it as the newest style. Wrong on me!!!.....

I was put-zing around with a rag to clean off the zerks when I realized it [the whole shaft] was sliding approx an inch forward and backward....I'm thinking WTH...this isn't right!! I go research/look on the computer and "Hola" I wake up to the fact that I've still the old style - "Break-prone" shaft. I received possession of my tractor in June of 2009.........

So......Perhaps......Who Actually Knows???......Or will Ever truthfully know??......

TYM Tractors "Said" that the input drive-shaft modification/change actually happened??? in "early" 2009????? And, if so, why was there not a "re-call" to ALL 273 owners as there is with an automobile??? After all, we pay as much for a tractor as an automobile. Why are we treated differently?? Are we "less" than others?? What's up with that?? I'm bummed now and I sincerely hope that I can locate a replacement part??!! I've already sent an email to Smiths Enterprise as they were able to obtain a shaft for Bud Soda and I hope they can do the same for me.

The dealer I bought from died, and now my closest dealer is 200 miles away; so I'm on my own for obtaining and repairing my own equipment. Besides the simple fact of being able to "RELY" upon an unknown dealer/factor in the equation - I'm certainly uneasy. If I get nowhere with Smiths, I'll continue to try other on-line dealers; someone has got to have or can get a modernized drive-shaft [Part # 1318-210-210-0]. If not, perhaps TYM Tractors can connect me with someone who can provide assistance/parts???

Thanks for listening to my rant/woes.... Greg

I forgot to ask a question - - Are there any dealers on the West Coast whom frequent this board? If so, do you happen to have the part in question? Or at least can get it? That's [part # 1318-210-210-0] If so, please send me a PM and I'll gladly buy it from you "Promptly"! Thanks!

 

[Bud Soda]

Yes I would change the shaft before trouble starts. The new shaft has no zerks. But my old shaft didn't either. When I bought my tractor in 2007 it was a 2006 year model. Maybe you have an 08 or earlier model. Tym should be able to drop ship you a shaft. Best thing to do is call Smith's and talk to the parts guy. Good luck with it.

 

[myyaz33]

Greg, Part of my reason for posting a few months back on the same topic was to bring the issue up again and help inform those that were unaware and encourage them to take action in whatever form they could.

Basically what I was told is that no re-calls are done unless it is for safety reasons and most tractor manufacturers follow this methodology. My personal belief in this situation, is that something more proactive should have been done by TYM as the design is absolutely mis-engineered. Basically I think the part should have been replaced on every older model without cost regardless of warranty. The only way I can see that the driveshaft will not fail on the older design is when the tractor just sits in someones garage and is not used.

If you are still under warranty you might be able to find a good dealer online that will swap out the part for you. I think you started looking in the right place with Smith, Ent. as they are close the the distributor. I had a terrible time getting the new part in and I was buying it outright without warranty, so I wish you luck. If you have any questions, let us know. There are quite a few of us affected TYM customers on the board that will be happy to answer. I would not hold your breath on getting a response from TYM Tractors on this particular topic.

 

[Gregster613]

I've been browsing threads and have a question for member ZKF14837, are you a TYM dealer? I read in a replacement battery thread 2-20-14; you talked about the new design drive-shaft between the HST & engine - that's the input shaft. Do you have on hand - or access to acquiring - part # 1318-210-210-0??

Please tell me yes - I cannot locate any TYM dealers west of the Mississippi! I can not believe it, but they all seem to have evaporated into smoke! The TYM website just blinks and says no dealers close to you every-time I try to locate a dealer. Very frustrating. I have a very solid tractor - have had it for 5 years - 450 faithful hours of use but now when I'd like to PURCHASE a replacement part - ZERO dealers are to be found.

Btown, I will try to contact the dealer in Springfield Ma. that you mentioned. Springfield Truck & Auto. I hope they are still in business and are willing to help a TYM family man out.

If not, I'm about to look into drive-shaft shops locally and see about just getting one made. I've got a picture and my old pieces - it shouldn't be that hard? Maybe even less costly? I won't hold my breath on that thought but - Maybe? - Mine is not broken like myyaz33's was but once I take the old one off then my tractor is dead on land. I've got several bucketful loads of wood chips to move into place for the wifes garden design first - so I'm gonna load if extremely full of grease and get them moved and then continue on with this troublesome problem of not being able to purchase a "designated replacement part."

I've even sent TYM Tractors a PM asking for assistance/guidance - to hear absolutely nothing but dead silence. I don't want to think/believe that this is a sign of a large corporation that's in good health?? But, I just don't know. On the west coast at least - there is no sight, sound, or showing of dealerships. I just don't know what to think. Greg

 

[Bud Soda]

Any dealer you order if from is going to have it drop shipped from here in NC. So go ahead and give Smith's a call. All he needs is a credit card to place the order with TYM.He his close to the plant and does a lot of business with them. I got my shaft a week after I ordered it and I am 30 miles from TYM so it will probably take a few weeks to get one. If all else fails let me know and I will get another shaft and ship it to you.

 

[Btown]

There is also Big Red's Equipment in Texas

Big Red's Equipment
Phone: (888)499-6212
Fax: (817)573-6762

Springfield Truck and Auto still sells them. Drove by a couple months ago. I'm sure they will have their booth at the Big E again this year. Wonder if they will have any tier IV stuff there.

 

[Btown]

That number is 888. I guess if u put a 8 and a ) next to each other it makes a 8)

 

[myyaz33]

Miller Repair in Maxwell Nebraska is a good dealer and would probably work with you even though they are not an online vendor. (308) 582-4303 , If memory serves, Mike is the guy you would want to talk to. Might be worth a call if you can't get a hold of someone closer.

-Marty

 

[myyaz33]

Greg- Looking at ZKF14837 profile he does appear to be a dealer or at least associated with Zephyr Knoll Farms - Home

 

[CDR]

Zephyr Knolls s closed up shop in May or June. They were my dealer now my nearest dealer is 2+ hours away instead of 5 miles.