Traction Front wheel drive not operating

[Ranchofla]

Ok, so I am no longer lurking, cause I think I broke my tractor yesterday. I have a CK20 HST that I bought a little over a year ago (used). Oh picture is below for those of you who like them.

So I was using my middle buster on a friends pasture yesterday when I heard a pop then my traction when to almost nothing. Figured it was the FWD, but had to finish what I was working on. Tinkered with it this morning and after taking the bend out to the control bar, I still do not have FWD, when I push on the lever it does not lock into a position at the bottom, it does at the top just fine. Tried the lever with the bar disconnected and same thing, no lock when moving the lever into FWD position.

So suggestions as to what I broke.

 

[Harry in Ky]

You might check the drive shaft couplers. Most compact tractors have splined shafts with couplers to drive the front axle, and on occasion the couplers, usually the front one, will force past the stop and become disconnected.

 

[joshuabardwell]

I read a story here on TBN a while back about a guy who was going downhill in 4WD mode with a heavy load and he blew some component of his front drivetrain--like where the drive shaft interfaces with the front axle. If my memory serves, this part is often designed to be the weak link in the chain, because it is relatively (ha ha) easy to repair, vs. a more substantial drivetrain component.

I'm surprised to hear you busted your FWD pulling a middle-buster. Usually it's loader work with no counterweight that busts them.

 

[Ranchofla]

You might check the drive shaft couplers. Most compact tractors have splined shafts with couplers to drive the front axle, and on occasion the couplers, usually the front one, will force past the stop and become disconnected.

Harry,

Thanks for the reply, I disconnected the shaft cover front and back and everything looked good and still connected.

Karl

 

[Ranchofla]

So after I started today's project. I jacked up the front of the tractor and turning either wheel, just turns that wheel, no locking no stopping, does that mean the front spline is broke? Guess I will look at taking that apart oh what fun..

Today's project


Rancho

 

[rider7767]

I hope this helps.

 

[ritcheyvs]

So after I started today's project. I jacked up the front of the tractor and turning either wheel, just turns that wheel, no locking no stopping, does that mean the front spline is broke? Guess I will look at taking that apart oh what fun...

The fact that you can turn one wheel with the other standing still means something is broken or disconnected in the gears of the front differential or (more likely) the bevel gears that connect the actual wheels to the front axle. Another list member had a similar problem that was caused by a failed circlip (as I recall) that allowed the gears to disengage. Maybe you can determine which side (assuming it is a side) is bad by turning each wheel while watching to see if the front axle turns, The axle should be visible through the axle oil fill hole, I think. If the wheel turns without turning the axle, that's good evidence of a problem with the bevel gears on that side. I'm guessing a little here here because I don't have a CK or a CK20 shop manual. Fortunately, I have not had to work on that part of my tractor. Good luck.

 

[Ranchofla]

Scott,

Thanks, I will check that out and see what happens.

Rancho

 

[Ranchofla]

Tony,

Thanks, I found a pretty good parts layout pdf and had been playing with the lever, and as I said in my first post, it does not appear that the lever locks in the 4 wheel drive location like it does in the 2 wheel drive position. More investigation will happen as I can get to it.

Rancho

 

[rider7767]

Tony,

Thanks, I found a pretty good parts layout pdf and had been playing with the lever, and as I said in my first post, it does not appear that the lever locks in the 4 wheel drive location like it does in the 2 wheel drive position. More investigation will happen as I can get to it.

Rancho

I have the digital service manual if you need specifics. I would send you the whole thing, but it is to big. I am on dish internet which is limited. I love living in the country, but the internet choices suck.

 

[ritcheyvs]

Rancho, Here's a link where you can download the front axle chapter from a ck25 manual. I think the basic design is similar to your CK20.

http://pt709.synology.me/ck25axle.pdf

 

[Ranchofla]

Scott,

THANKS!! that looks very similar to what I have seen (of course yours has instructions, very nice).

Thanks again.

Rancho

 

[Jose G]

probably a broken axle, put the tractor in 2wd, remove the driveshaft cover to see it turning. Raise the front and while a friend hold the left wheel, try to rotate the right wheel. If the driveshaft rotate try to hold the wheel while your friend try to rotate his. the Side that doesnt turn the driveshaft is the side with the broken axle. No big deal to change.

your 4wd still working #1, but the differential always try to turn the easier wheel, which is the broken axle side. (it's turning inside the diff, but since there is not an axle to make your wheel turn, the diff just spin inside.)

hope that make sense and sorry for my poor english


Jose

 

[Ranchofla]

Jose,

I will try what you have suggested.

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving.

Rancho

 

[Ranchofla]

Ok so I did a quick check, with the shaft cover slid back, and the system in 2 wheel drive mode, turning either front wheel while the other is held stationary does NOT turn the shaft (from transmission). I was unable to take the plug out to verify if the shaft is turning internally in the front axle on either side. So something is not connected right in the front axle. Oh and I did put it in 4 wheel drive with the front wheels off the ground and the back wheels locked and the shaft to the front end does turn when I try to go forward or reverse.

Thanks all, looks like a front end tear down is in order.

Rancho

 

[rider7767]

Ok so I did a quick check, with the shaft cover slid back, and the system in 2 wheel drive mode, turning either front wheel while the other is held stationary does NOT turn the shaft (from transmission). I was unable to take the plug out to verify if the shaft is turning internally in the front axle on either side. So something is not connected right in the front axle. Oh and I did put it in 4 wheel drive with the front wheels off the ground and the back wheels locked and the shaft to the front end does turn when I try to go forward or reverse.

Thanks all, looks like a front end tear down is in order.

Rancho

Take pictures. Everybody can learn with you.

 

[GMtb42]

+1 on pictures
A quick how-to writeup would be nice too.

 

[Jose G]

I'm still learning on the Kioti's (not an expert... im into car mechanics normally)
if both Axles are fine, while you turn your left front wheel to one direction, the right front wheel should turn the opposite direction if nobody holding.
I'm having a hard time figuring a blown diff... maybe a broken driveshaft ? (from the trans to the front diff)
I'll have a look further in my manual/tractor this weekend.
keep us informed

 

[rider7767]

Ok so I did a quick check, with the shaft cover slid back, and the system in 2 wheel drive mode, turning either front wheel while the other is held stationary does NOT turn the shaft (from transmission). I was unable to take the plug out to verify if the shaft is turning internally in the front axle on either side. So something is not connected right in the front axle. Oh and I did put it in 4 wheel drive with the front wheels off the ground and the back wheels locked and the shaft to the front end does turn when I try to go forward or reverse.

Thanks all, looks like a front end tear down is in order.

Rancho

Did you find out what was wrong? Very curious. I rely heavily on the 4x4 in the mountains.

 

[Ranchofla]

Tony,

I rely heavily on the 4x4 here in Nawth Fla as well and let me tell you the CK20 is a dog without it. No work on the tractor this weekend other projects are in front of it cause it does run and will do most of what I need it for right now. If I get my permit this week, there will be no work on the tractor next weekend either, though I will be using it and wishing the 4x4 worked.

Thanks

Rancho