ARRRRRRGH!!!!!!! Broke my tractor.... Engine Block went SNAP...

[KrisHansen]

no warranty. Dealer is attempting aid. We'll see. No water in the oil that I can tell. Short block is $7600. I want to cry.

 

[Bob_Young]

Gawrsh, Kris, what a punch in the gut that is! That would ruin my whole month. When they're fairly new and definitely under warranty, I actually somewhat welcome this sort of thing. Best to find out right off if the thing's not up to the task. But, in your case, you've had the tractor for awhile.

Looked through your past posts and realized you haven't exactly had a sleigh ride with that tractor. Might be time to go back to the dealer, hat in hand, and see what it would take to upgrade to something beefier. If he carries another color besides blue, it might be well to look at that too. I find it wise to retain some humility in these situations, as someone (you or your dealer) apparently underestimated your needs and the other party didn't catch it. You'd probably come out the best in the long run if you can work out an upgrade. If so, I wouldn't risk further damage by trying to work it more.

Maybe one of the smaller Ag utilities with their extra weight and mass would give you more of a margin over disaster. Trading the convenience & ease of use of a Boomer for enough beef to keep you going would be a fair deal in my book. I'm also surprised that the FEL could exert enough force to do this. Maybe the break started earlier with the broken ear and the FEL just finished the job.

Good luck with this, I'll be watching for your updates.
FWIW
Bob

 

[KrisHansen]

Thanks Bob. I think the ear was broken for a while.. I think this machine is fine, but perhaps I do use it too hard? Can't imagine that would be possible..

 

[Mike058]

I'm surprised that the tractor was able to break itself before the hydraulics went to bypass...

If the hydraulic pressure relief valve is defective and should have been popping when it didn't, you might have a case. Or at least some kind of bargaining chip.

Good luck.

 

[Steve_Miller]

I'm not bashing here by any means, but if you plow with the loader bucket and every once in a while you hit any solid objects (protruding rocks, property markers, etc) your going to make an awful jolt on something. Trust me I've hit many an object like that. That energy is absorbed somewhere and that some where appears to be the loader mounts. After twenty years and several tractors I finally geared up an old truck snow plow with a trip edge and 'man' what a difference when plowing my 1600' driveway. Anyhow, I guess I've been lucky over the years not to break any tractors. Just my two cents worth.

Steve

 

[KrisHansen]

yeah, I do sometimes plow with the loader.. I wouldn't be surprised if I hit a few things here and there.. I use the **** out of my loader when I do run the machine. That's why I bought it.

I know no one is bashing, it's all good. I really appreciate your comments!

 

[jinman]

Subframe? On the 33D, there is no subframe where it's broken. It's only the engine that supports the ENTIRE front end as far as I can tell.

Oh yes, that's the 7308 isn't it? I think the 14LA on the newer tractors has a subframe. The 7308 kinda has a built-in brace that obviously did you no good. What a bummer! Even though you only have 300 hours, the tractor is over 4 years old isn't it?

 

[KrisHansen]

Oh yes, that's the 7308 isn't it? I think the 14LA on the newer tractors has a subframe. The 7308 kinda has a built-in brace that obviously did you no good. What a bummer! Even though you only have 300 hours, the tractor is over 4 years old isn't it?

Yes, I've had it over 4 years now. I need to look into the 14LA style loader and it's bracing. It's just stupid that the ONLY thing finishing the triangle in the loader brace is the engine block.

Now I'm all worried that because the way I use it to scrape the icy driveway could cause this kind of damage. I'm worried that using it to pile trees in my stump dump will cause it. I'm worried that pushing snow will hurt it..

 

[RickB]

Don't be surprised if they tell you the 14LA won't fit your tractor. That model is not backwards compatible very far from their introduction.

 

[257NH]

with such low hours its a shame theres no warranty.Good luck and hopefully someone will step up to the plate and help you out