JD 3010, moving tire on axle

[MinnesotaGuy84]

I'm trying to move the tire outwards on the axle of my JD 3010. I have attached a photo of the outside of tire. There are 3 large bolts on the outside of the tire and inside. I backed all 6 off. Now I'm trying to loosen that "Set screw" type bolt that seems to fit along the grooves on the axle. All the penetrating oil, heat, and torque I can muster won't move it. What am I missing here? There are two smaller bolts on the outside of the tire that I have not touched. I am cautious not to mess anything up. Please provide some insight.

Thanks

 

[pmsmechanic]

These can be a real challenge at times. I have had success with loosening the three large bolts like you have done. Take the smaller bolts out and do a thorough job of cleaning up the treads on the bolts and inside the casting. Buy some never seize and lubricate the cleaned up threads with that and screw them back in good and tight. Now go and drive your tractor. What I did was run it along on a shallow slope for about an hour going back and forth. Every ten minutes I'd tighten up the two small bolts. Driving back and forth along a slope loosens up the wedges and lets you push them out with the smaller two bolts. I got it loose enough so that I could put an impact gun to the small bolts and the wedges just pushed right out. I didn't use heat at all as I like to keep that as a last resort. Good luck

Just going to add that if you drive the tractor around like I suggested then screw the three larger bolts (inside and out) just about in all the way. You don't want them tight at all but they are the only thing that's holding your tire on once it does come loose.

A liberal coating of never seize on the axle and wedges once you get it loose makes sure that it goes a lot easier the next time you want to move your wheels.

 

[RickB]

The bolts on the wedge opposite the pinion bolt (which is oriented perpendicular to the axle) should remain tight. Concentrate on loosening the outer wedge. DO NOT remove the two smaller bolts, they should have hog rings on the inner ends that prevent them from coming out. Thread damage will occur if you force them out. These bolts are designed to 'jack' the wedge towards the center of the tractor, loosening the wheel assembly after loosening the 3 larger bolts (do not completely remove them) . It is possible to overtighten the jack bolts and break the flange off the wedge, avoid this at all costs. The pinion bolt has a pinion gear keyed to it within the hub that engages the teeth in the axle rack. Turning the pinion in the proper direction will reposition the hub on the axle.

You can jack the wheel up and strike the end of the axle shaft repeatedly with a large sledge (12 lb at least, 16-20 will work better) to shock the wedge and assist in breaking it loose. Do this with the 3 bolts in the outer wedge loose and the 2 jack bolts tight. This IS a JD recommended service practice, it can work if the hubs have been moved in the recent past.
This system works great if the wheels are moved periodically. If not, that first 1/8" can really suck. Good luck.

Go to New Ag Talk :
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Search keywords Adjusting Deere Wheels among posts made in the last year. Good info there.

Edit: here's a direct link to that thread:

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