BX2230 - 28 Hours and Already Broke It

[Billy_S]

This was my first time doing any REAL work with my FEL. Moving sawdust doesn't count. I was cleaning up a burn pile that has been neglected for years.

I dismounted to put a chain on a big tree trunk I intended to add to the pile, when I noticed a lot of fluid by the left rear tire. Yes, she was hurt and bleeding bad.

A preliminary, in field exam, revealed a foreign object (bailing wire) wrapped around her left rear axle, along with a mass of what looked like steel wool. I had shreaded an axle seal. I certainly didn't know there was like 3 miles of very fine steel wire in an axle seal, all of which was wrapped around her axle.

Trauma of this nature is beyond my capability. I called the dealer this morning to arrange to have her picked up by Flight For Life. She just needs the care that is only available at a well equipped trauma center. I hope she makes it and has no permanent damage due to the blood loss. There was no point in giving her a transfusion until her wound could be repaired.

Not that it matters much, but I wonder if this will be an expensive surgery? It appears, from what I could tell, that her axle will need to be removed to make the repair.

 

[Lockport]

Sorry for your loss. It's probably not serious. I had an axle seal leak on my truck, recently. It looked much worse than it was so stay calm! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rdsaustintx]

Sincerest condolences in this your time of grieving. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

You are in all our thoughts and prayers. May the spirit of healing (and a competent mechanic) be with you and dwell in the land of warranty repairs forever.

Peace on you,

Rev. Russell in Texas /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

WOT's it all about!

 

[proudestmonkey]

Although I am sorry about the damage, I have to say I like your analogy of a wounded bleeding compatriot. My guess is that is how I would feel too.

Let us know how it works out. While working out in the yard today, I kept a look out for sticks and stuff under the tractor--I had heard others talk about a fan underneath that can break, and hydraulic lines that can get caught up.

 

[Billy_S]

Thanks for all your thoughts at this difficult time. It means a lot to me and my family.

You think this will be handled under warranty since I am the one who broke it? I mean, it isn't exactly a defect, IMHO.

Edited to add:

I got the power washer out last night and washed her off. Chmoised her dry. She looked much better. For the first time, we were, at least a little bit, optimistic about her chances for a full recovery.

 

[proudestmonkey]

I think the "foreign object--bailing wire around the axle" part of your story would likely render the warranty inapplicable to these circumstances. I am guessing there are limits to what these machines are supposed to be able to do without failure. But, hey, you don't get what you don't ask for, so maybe the dealer will listen and adjust his price.