catastrophic rim failor

[sd455dan]

My 2010 JD 2720 had a new twist yesterday that I have never seen the likes of.
I was working a small pile of dirt from one spot to another when I notices a wobble
on my left front wheel. Stopped and set the load down to inspect, and could not
believe what I was looking at. The rim had split in several places fronm the lug nuts
outwards, and around the outer edges if the inner rim plate. Has anyone seen this before ?
And, what could be the cause of such a failure???

Has anyone seen this before ?


Yes
a few posts concerning a chinese built Luzhong tractor some time ago in the chinese tractor forum.

 

[paulfun9]

Yup these are factory fittings, Not studs with nuts!! this is what I found strange that they would do that.
7/8's bolts with lock washers is what John Deerwe used on these builds

Are you sure about lock washers being on them? I haven't had any lock washers on any of my JD units. I never liked those bolts and on my last JD I threw them away and replaced them with real lugs because one wheel kept coming loose.

 

[Toddao]

A wheel failure chart

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[SPYDERLK]

Okay, I checked Deere parts. A lock washer is factory supplied on the front wheels of a 2027. Likely the wheels are not able to stand the stress of
a FEL. I would use a regular washer instead of the lock washer when you replace the wheels.

Yes. ... Use Grade 8 flat washers to spread out the bolting clamp force over more of the wheel metal. This will strengthen the assembly.

 

[SPYDERLK]

A wheel failure chart

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

Some of this is specific for chamfered bolt holes. The use of washers on OPs wheels indicates his wheels do not have chamfered holes.

 

[wooden]

Here is what I learned, Never, take tight turns with a heavy load in the FEL, while in 4 wheel drive!! This is what I believe was the culprit in my wheel failure. My land is really steep and 4x4 is a must have, along with the fact that I push this little cut pretty hard. I believe if you must make a tight turn, taking it out of 4wheel is key to saving the turque that that 31 HP Yanmay can deliver. On the fix, I am thinking that if I were to computer cut a full disc in 1/4 inch steel that covers the entire bolt up section , I would be spreading out the load across the entire rim face rather than using lock washers. But , That may be another debate! Thanks for all the advice and brain food on this issue!

 

[SPYDERLK]

Yes. ... Use Grade 8 flat washers to spread out the bolting clamp force over more of the wheel metal. This will strengthen the assembly.

Strengthen your assembly in this way. Its easy and effective. ... Flange head bolts would also be a good investment.

Here is what I learned, Never, take tight turns with a heavy load in the FEL, while in 4 wheel drive!! This is what I believe was the culprit in my wheel failure. My land is really steep and 4x4 is a must have, along with the fact that I push this little cut pretty hard. I believe if you must make a tight turn, taking it out of 4wheel is key to saving the turque that that 31 HP Yanmay can deliver. On the fix, I am thinking that if I were to computer cut a full disc in 1/4 inch steel that covers the entire bolt up section , I would be spreading out the load across the entire rim face rather than using lock washers. But , That may be another debate! Thanks for all the advice and brain food on this issue!

Taking out of 4wd will present dangerous possibilities some unforeseen.

 

[Gary Fowler]

From your second picture which shows the circular break at the junction of the pressed bend to offset the rim, I think the design/fabrication of the rim is also at fault. The sharp bend creates a stress riser in the metal that fatigues more easily than a rounded bend area.
If you have the inclination, take those rims, cut out the inner circle and replace with much thicker metal that you would then weld back to the outer rim. If you have a machine shop that could press a dish pattern into the thicker metal to match the required offset that would be great.

 

[Soundguy]

Even with the lugs tight, that rim broke due to flexing, which fatigued the rim to failure over time.

Maybe the rim just wasnt built heavy enough for this application.

Good thing is no one hurt and it sounds like no property damage.

Agreed, junk rim was flexing under load, work hardened and cracked. You can see some rusty spots of prior cracking/older damage. More it cracked the weaker it got till it cascade failed.

 

[GManBart]

The things you're looking at are wheels, not rims. The rim is the lip/edge that keeps the tire in place.

This sort of oddball stuff is part of why I say it's crazy for folks to run around with their ROPS folded for no reason. Often the answer is "I'm on flat ground".....yeah, a wheel failure can cause a rollover on flat ground in a heartbeat.