Broke another wheel motor axle

[MuncyBob]

Last year(I think it was) while mowing on a the side of a hill I snapped the left wheel motor axle. I have many slopes to navigate and try to avoid going 3 wheels but sometimes it's hard to do. Sent it back to Tazewell and they promptly rebuilt it for me. Well last Wednesday I broke the other front motor axle! Terry thinks it's very unusual for this to happen...I say it's not only unusual but inconvenient and expensive! Anybody else have more than 1 motor axle failure? To date(apprx. 800hours) I have had a tub failure, hose blow out, valve job, mower bracket break and both wheel motor situations. Seems a bit excessive for less than 1000 hours.

 

[marrt]

Well, since no one responded, I'll post a few thoughts. First, I've never heard of anyone breaking a wheel motor axle. You mean it's literally broken in half? Tub failure...yes, happens on the 422. Hose blow out...common and normal. Valve job...not unusual. Mower bracket break...also not unreasonable if used on rough conditions. Wheel axle break...I wouldn't even think it's possible.

The wheel axle is so short I can't image the loads it would take to cause it to actually break. The PT is made out of common mild steel...so, I'd expect a failure elsewhere before the wheel axle. For example, the quick attach pivot mechanism, or where the loader attaches to the frame, or the main pivot point in the center of the tractor. I'd have to suspect this is a motor manufacturing problem...perhaps the axle wasn't properly heat treated or something.

As a side note, do you have your wheels reversed for greater stability on hills?

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Do you have pics?

 

[MuncyBob]

Never reversed the wheels. I'll have to see if the part that stayed attached to the wheel "spider" is still in the garage and I'll post a pic of that. I lost about 5 qts of oil when it happened. Nice brown spot in the yard now

 

[ponytug]

I've blown two seals early in the tractor's life. Probably due to poor breakin on my part.

The steel has been fine. No breakages.

All the best,

Peter

 

[MuncyBob]

I found some pics of the 1st axle failure. This one broke at the same spot.

 

[MossRoad]

WOW! That's snapped. :confused3:

 

[cqaigy2]

I can't really make out the picture, but it looks like plastic?

 

[ponytug]

Judging by the rust on the inner fracture, that was cracked for a long time before it gave out. I wonder if you got a bad batch of motors.

All the best,

Peter

 

[MuncyBob]

Pics could be better....no plastic in there. I hope it was just a bad batch! Here are 2 pics of the end that snapped recently.