Front Axle Truss

[MRCONCDID]

Has anyone every broken the front axle housing?
I was thinking the other day, when I used to build huge mud racing trucks we would put a gusset all the way accross the axle housing on the botten and top, since our tractors don't have any susspension there is a lot of weight put on the center of the front axle, with the added weight of a full load in the loader a truss or gusset would be nice insurance, yes it would cost a few inches of ground clearence since you could only out it one the bottem but it would take the stress on the center of the housing. its just a thought.

 

[bjr]

I've read a lot of posts that just about made me cry. The subjects been new tractors of every brand and style either busting front diff. housing or stripping front drive gears or busted transmission to engine housing. Most of these were accidents by users thiniking they were being careful while trying to get useful work done with there FEL's. Most of these "accidents" were going to cost the user thousands of dollars and in some casees they would opt out to just sell what's left of the tractor and try to save and buy another tractor. Yes, this is a reality of ownership of tractors, and I'm always optimistic (maybe misplaced optimism) the manufacturers will do something about this. bjr

 

[rdbrumfield]

Over the past few years that I have read the posts in here, it is the "how much ballast, tire weights and fluid can I put on my tractor".

Personally, I don't put any. Having a tiller or some other implement hanging on the rear is enough. If your tractor is getting a bit light, lighted the load, it is trying to tell us something.

In all the tractor forums you read about someone busting his tractor in half or the front axle gives out. Hate to be hard about this, but we must realize that size is the one thing we must respect.

I have seen small tractors come unhinged as well as large dozers that have literally been pulled intwo by their winches.

 

[IceStationZebra]

I agree. If you want the productivity and durability of a wheel loader - buy one. Don't expect a tractor with a loader attachment to do the same job. The reality is that tractors are designed to last X years with a Z percentile customer. The big OEM's shoot for ~10years of life with a 90th% user. The 2nd tier machines are probably ~7years with a 80-85% user. If they design a more durable machine they will price themselves out of the market.

ISZ