Disappointed in my Deere for the first time.

Gary_in_Indiana · Sep 30, 2004

For what it's worth, Maximum, I understood your first post just fine. Thank you. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Ironically, the first person to whom I spoke after this happened was my friendly Kubota dealer. He told me that the difference in materials used in the axle housings was one of the things Kubota stressed to their dealers as a competative advantage when selling against the Deere product. Like me, he can't imagine why Deere uses this material there, especially when this connection is a part of the axle housing itself. When I looked at the Kubota product there I found the same connection point was NOT a part of the axle housing and is, as Maximum pointed out, part of a far, far less expensive piece. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Gary_in_Indiana · Sep 30, 2004

"Are you capable of removing it?"

I'm afraid that a task like that is WAY outside my skill set. If need be, I can probably get a couple friends to do it if I keep the cold beers coming. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 "Cast aluminum can be brazed or welded if appropriate pre-/in-/post-process heating is used. I can't imagine a local welder would charge anywhere near what you're talking." 

I spoke with a couple farmer friends of mine tonight who are big fans of the Deere product. One (who also works as a mechanic for the local Caterpillar dealer) gave me the name of the local welder/machinist that Caterpillar uses for most of their sublet work. He told me if this piece can be welded, this is the guy who can do it.

I'm going to load my tractor up at first light and have it over at this guy's shop when he opens to find out if he thinks he can do it or not. At least that way I'll know if I have to order a new housing or not. I'll post something after I speak with him to let you know what the verdict is. Wish me luck. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

eee · Sep 30, 2004

I registered to reply to your post.
I have a JD 4400 and I had the same thing happen to my tractor. I replaced both axle housings(this summer) and each housing was $275 apiece,I do not understand the $1400 price you were quoted.. The newer housings have more material around the hole where the lower 3pt attaches,and they are grooved where the roll bar bolts onto them.Also they are still cast aluminum. That is the only place on the tractor's housing that I am aware of that has cast aluminum,I took a magnet across everything else and it appears to be cast iron,I too am mystified why JD would use cast aluminum exclusively on the axle housings.This is a part that should wear and never have a problem with.
How many hours is on your tractor?
Do you have the old style front axle ?

JATO_RaT · Sep 30, 2004

Well that should be good news for Gary, both the cost and the idea of beefing up the metal around the connection.

To20Chris · Sep 30, 2004

Bob,

Cast iron can be brittle, compared to some materials I guess, but the characteristics of cast iron will vary greatly depending on the alloy and process. A good cast iron alloy can be very strong, and tougher and more impact resistant than you may think. Also, iron alloys and steel have cyclic failure resistance that aluminum does not. I can't imagine a better material for a rear axle housing.

rockyridgefarm · Sep 30, 2004

( I registered to reply to your post. )
Welcome to tbn, excellant post, thanks for the insight!

TO20Chhris: ( I can't imagine a better material for a rear axle housing. )

Which Steel, iron, or aluminum?

I am from Pittsburgh and even studied metallurgy. But I am a computer guy. But as much as I can recall from my metals days is: I sure would rather have aluminum done right, than iron done wrong.

The input from a Kubota dealer as to competitve advantage isn't necessarily all right on. Their job is to find real or perceived advantages...

Maximum_Utmost showed us that even an iron Kubota will fail (sure is nice that the TractorSmart folks are so helpful, that really is amazing how extensively they responded.)

As to parts pricing, it really helps me to look on JDParts.com. That way, I can look up and price parts myself, sometimes dealers add more margin, sometimes they quote the wrong part... It isn't hard to look them up yourself...

Hope yer able to get going again quickly Gary!!

Bob_Skurka · Sep 30, 2004

Cast iron can be brittle, compared to some materials I guess, but the characteristics of cast iron will vary greatly depending on the alloy and process. A good cast iron alloy can be very strong, and tougher and more impact resistant than you may think. Also, iron alloys and steel have cyclic failure resistance that aluminum does not. I can't imagine a better material for a rear axle housing. 

Chris, not sure that I understand what you wrote or even where you agree/disagree with what I wrote. Cast iron, compared to steel or aluminum is brittle. Iron can be strong as heck too, but only if done correctly, it takes repetitive stress, but not shock and won't bend. Aluminum won't take the repetitive stressing for long periods of time, but those periods could be DECADES if it is designed correctly. See Maximum Utmost's example of cast iron failure, it seems that the failure of his cast iron part is very similar to the aluminum failure that started this thread. All I was trying to write is that BOTH material have their strenghts and weaknesses and point out that neither is inherantly better all the time. I think what I wrote is accurate and has been substantiated.

eee · Sep 30, 2004

( Welcome to tbn, excellant post, thanks for the insight! )

You are welcome !!!
I could not sit on the sidelines and not comment on the gentlemans problem.

slowrev · Sep 30, 2004

imho,
Tractor transmission housings and contents should ONLY be made from steel or cast iron. Axle housings should ONLY be steel.
Just my opinion for a sturdy long life tractor, but then I guess the manufacturers don't want them to last too long /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Ben

Bob_Skurka · Sep 30, 2004

Ben, you may or may not have noticed, but I didn't take sides on this issue, I only pointed out that I thought Maximum Utmost's post showing that his cast iron housing broke was a good illustration of how both iron and aluminum can fail. From that point on it seemed like the debate started between iron & aluminum. FWIW, I'm pretty sure the rear housings of both of my CUTs are iron, but I'm not advocating that as better or worse. And as this thread shows, both aluminum & iron fail.