B2910 front wheel snapped off!

[dlabrie]

Well my first words weren't Merry Christmas! I was pulling out a tree and had my wheel cocked to the right and ...thunk... it snapped right off at the bearing.

The tractor is quite a ways down in the woods and I am going to have to fix it myself. Can anyone give me some advice on what I will need and how to go about repairing it?

Thanks,
David

 

[Dozernut]

That's some bad luck, sorry that happened to you! Maybe you could get back to the house by lowering the bucket to help support the front end. Then slowly travel in reverse using the loader as a crutch. Might work and might not, but if it does then you are closer to your tools to repair it or load it up for a trip to the dealer.

A shop manual and parts book will help you out a lot and are not terribly expensive. Good luck!

 

[dlabrie]

That's some bad luck, sorry that happened to you! Maybe you could get back to the house by lowering the bucket to help support the front end. Then slowly travel in reverse using the loader as a crutch. Might work and might not, but if it does then you are closer to your tools to repair it or load it up for a trip to the dealer. Good luck!

Thanks, that's a good idea but it's pretty far down in the woods. I'll be fixing it there when I find out what I have to do.

 

[kuboman]

Thanks, that's a good idea but it's pretty far down in the woods. I'll be fixing it there when I find out what I have to do.

Should be able to take out the ring of bolts and then take the hub and broken shaft to a work bench. Should only be one snap ring holding things together. You might need a puller for bearings but not sure.

 

[dlabrie]

Here is a view of the axle components.

 

[RobertN]

I would go that route too. Drop that bucket and drive it out in 2WD. I know from experience that Kubota steering brakes are a pain in the pa-tootsie. But, should be able to back that thing out using the steering brakes.

Would not be much different than lowering your bucket and back dragging a drive or trail...

When it broke, were you trying to drag the tree backwards?

That's some bad luck, sorry that happened to you! Maybe you could get back to the house by lowering the bucket to help support the front end. Then slowly travel in reverse using the loader as a crutch. Might work and might not, but if it does then you are closer to your tools to repair it or load it up for a trip to the dealer.

A shop manual and parts book will help you out a lot and are not terribly expensive. Good luck!

 

[KennyV]

You can surprise yourself at the amount of pressure you are able to put on the front axles, using 4WD & a loader... KennyV

 

[Verticaltrx]

Not sure if they still offer the old part number or not, but the updated axle is P/N 32721-57323. It should be stronger than the original which is why they updated them. That P/N I listed is also used on the B26 industrial tractors, so they should hold up without any trouble.

 

[dlabrie]

I would go that route too. Drop that bucket and drive it out in 2WD. I know from experience that Kubota steering brakes are a pain in the pa-tootsie. But, should be able to back that thing out using the steering brakes.

Would not be much different than lowering your bucket and back dragging a drive or trail...

When it broke, were you trying to drag the tree backwards?

Yes I was trying to drag the tree backwards. It was really the limbs and not too heavy. I think the damage had been done earlier and this was the straw...

I routinely load the bucket with VERY heavy green maple and birch, then drive over very rutted paths and a lot of stones. It was definitely my fault. It has 800+ hours on it and is about 9 years old.

Maybe I'll try backing he out on the bucket, but I have to go up hills and around trees. But, hey, you never know until you try.

 

[dlabrie]

Not sure if they still offer the old part number or not, but the updated axle is P/N 32721-57323. It should be stronger than the original which is why they updated them. That P/N I listed is also used on the B26 industrial tractors, so they should hold up without any trouble.

Should I do both sides or do one and hope for the best?

 

[dlabrie]

This is the price from Messick's | Dealer for New Holland, Case IH, Kubota, Cub Cadet and More | Online Parts, Sales & Service.
KU / Kubota 32721-57323
SHAFT, FRONT AXL

$150.20

 

[hosspuller]

I would fix it on site. Bring a pan to catch the oil and replacement axle oil. Looks like part #60 holds the stub shaft in place. Bring along a can of penetrating oil for the housing bolts and take your time. Stripping a bolt or twisting a bolt head makes for a long day. :laughing:

Dlabrie ... The pic is most helpful... is there a gasket to seal the housing or is RTV used?

 

[dlabrie]

I would fix it on site. Bring a pan to catch the oil and replacement axle oil. Looks like part #60 holds the stub shaft in place. Bring along a can of penetrating oil for the housing bolts and take your time. Stripping a bolt or twisting a bolt head makes for a long day. :laughing:

That is what I though I'd do.


Dlabrie ... The pic is most helpful... is there a gasket to seal the housing or is RTV used?

I have no idea! What's RTV? I have never done anything like this and was hoping some one could tell me what to expect, if I need any special tools and how to go about it.

 

[zzvyb6]

Looks like the axle and the hub are hollow at the location of the break. AND, that access to the hollowed area can be made from outside the wheel. I'd try to put the wheel and hub in position and drive a bolt or tapered pin in it to secure the hub in place while you nursed it home.

 

[RobertN]

I broke spider gears in my old Jeep trying to pull another Jeep out of the snow, in reverse. I checked a couple "gear" and 4x4 shops to get the diff rebuilt.

All the shops said not to pull in reverse. The gears are much stronger going forward. They showed how the curved bevel like on a ring/pinion really would be better going one direction. Since then, I have only pulled going forward...

Maybe you could back it out far enough to get a trailer to it?

Yes I was trying to drag the tree backwards. It was really the limbs and not too heavy. I think the damage had been done earlier and this was the straw...

I routinely load the bucket with VERY heavy green maple and birch, then drive over very rutted paths and a lot of stones. It was definitely my fault. It has 800+ hours on it and is about 9 years old.

Maybe I'll try backing he out on the bucket, but I have to go up hills and around trees. But, hey, you never know until you try.

 

[638]

Use the bucket to raise the front end, drive a wooden wedge in between the axle and the frame on the unbroken side, raise bucket and drive tractor out of the woods.

 

[dlabrie]

I broke spider gears in my old Jeep trying to pull another Jeep out of the snow, in reverse. I checked a couple "gear" and 4x4 shops to get the diff rebuilt.

All the shops said not to pull in reverse. The gears are much stronger going forward. They showed how the curved bevel like on a ring/pinion really would be better going one direction. Since then, I have only pulled going forward...

Maybe you could back it out far enough to get a trailer to it?

I guess it would be better to pull going forward, but I would pull the log out and keep it raised with the bucket then cut it into lengths, stack it into the bucket and take it to the splitter at my wood shed. If I were dragging the log to the shed, I'd go forward.

 

[dlabrie]

Use the bucket to raise the front end, drive a wooden wedge in between the axle and the frame on the unbroken side, raise bucket and drive tractor out of the woods.

Now that is a clever idea! I have, however covered it with a tarp while I wait for the parts to be shipped to my local (40miles one way) Kubota dealer. They said it wasn't a bad job to do and I didn't need any special tools. I am going to also replace the 2 bearings, seal and holding clip while I am at it. The one thing I didn't ask about was if there was a gasket in the housing.

 

[8226hamer]

I had a B2910 several years ago that this happened twice to me. I was away from home while it happened. Believe it or not I had to tack weld it back on to get it loaded back onto my truck. It worked well but I had the pucker factor while driving it up the ramps to load. The first time it happened it was under warrantyhe second I had to pay the dealer the labor for doing it. I no longer have a 2910 but do have a 3030.

 

[dlabrie]

I had a B2910 several years ago that this happened twice to me. I was away from home while it happened. Believe it or not I had to tack weld it back on to get it loaded back onto my truck. It worked well but I had the pucker factor while driving it up the ramps to load. The first time it happened it was under warrantyhe second I had to pay the dealer the labor for doing it. I no longer have a 2910 but do have a 3030.

Either it is a design flaw or we are beating up our tractors , I will be a little more careful from here on out.