CHECK YOUR LUG NUTS!!!

[Jstpssng]

I guess they done "build them like they used to". In 20 years the lug nuts on my old L4200 never came loose and have never taken any of the wheels off for any reason.

However, I will be checking the lug nuts on my new L5060 on a regular basis.

It's not a new problem. Back when I was working in the orchard, I was hauling a bin of apples up with the Massey 175 when I noticed that the rear wheel was wobbling. I got off, checked and sure enough, the lug nuts had loosened up. We had to take the wheel off so that he owner could weld washers on to fix it. I was just there on weekends so had no idea about the history of the tractor, but the farmer kept his equipment maintained and up to snuff so this wasn't something I expected.

 

[Msamt]

On a Kioti on the loader the little bolts that hold the grease zerk caps on, need to be check often too. I often still find loose ones. It only takes a few seconds to put a socket on them while greasing. I have never lost one, but I have been able to turn them with my fingers several times. he? Plenty!

I致e lost at least 5 of those little buggers, and had 2 that stripped out when tightening (so now I need to carry 2 sockets out with me to check em).
There are also 2 that keep the 3pth arms locked into their cups, putting that back together one handed while trying to line up the hole is a real treat, don稚 ask how I know !

 

[RoyJackson]

I suggest that once you torque the lug bolts or nut, use a paint marker and paint a narrow strip across the lug nut (or bolt) to the rim. This provides a quite easy visual examination to determine if any has loosened...if the paint stripes aren't aligned, you'll know immediately if the fastener has loosened.
This is a pretty common practice of some machines tools and other applications

 

[bdhsfz6]

I'm also a member of the loose lug nut club. I want to add the fact that Kubota insurance will NOT cover damage caused by improper maintenance.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I got some that keep loosening up

 

[stingray1]

I just about ruined the back rim on my 4200 before I realized what was going on,now I keep a close check on it.

 

[lennyzx11]

I've often wondered why people don't just put loctite on the bolts since it reduces (but doesn't eliminate) the chances of this happening. Are there any reasons NOT to do it? It would seem that putting on the loctite and torquing the bolts you should be good.

What do people do who have wheel spacers....do they pull the tire off to check the torque on the bolts holding the spacer to the axle? I am planning to install spacers on my rear wheels and it has loaded tires so not something I want to be doing every 50 hours. I was going to go loctite red and put them nice and tight. Loctite red can be removed by heating the bolt to just over 400 degrees anyway.

Though I did put loctite on mine when I installed spacers, I glance pretty regularly at the end on the inboard side to make sure the stud bolts are still sticking out the same length.

 

[TractorNH]

Though I did put loctite on mine when I installed spacers, I glance pretty regularly at the end on the inboard side to make sure the stud bolts are still sticking out the same length.

I was going to put witness marks with a paint pen on the inboard end of the bolts so it is easier to inspect.

 

[TractorGuy]

When I purchased my car trailer it had orange warning labels on all the wheels to recheck the lugs. I carried a torque wrench with me and checked them every 50 miles until they took no additional tightening. 9 times it took.

The aluminum wheels on my mustang require retorqing after driving every time they are removed. Some wheels just don't seat on the first tightening.

 

[cqaigy2]

Not a tractor, but had new tires put on the car and they told me to come back in 25 miles for them to check torque. Not a lug nut, but had the hydraulic motor on the front left loosen up. I need to get a torque wrench.