Just broke a knuckle arm 4520r

[North to Alaska]

Just talked with the mechanic. Gave me his personal phone a while back.
Multiple good news.
They now have mechanics in Wasilla and Anchorage.
He said they’ve seen this before. Several years ago, they ordered the same parts for their 4520 shop tractor.
While waiting for the parts, he welded it back with a plate. It has held and they still have the parts. Several years ago so hopefully they have not altered anything since then.
Said should not be a an issue with warranty.

He has seen this before with others that use their tractor for any logging. Stress in front axle and eventually it breaks with a good bump.

 

[etpm]

That's indeed a very odd place to break. I wonder if the bearings where the final drive pivots are bad and the entire stress of the front axle is now being put on the knuckle?

I agree with Slim. If you're in a pinch, try find someone to weld that for you for the time being. Personally, I have a bad time trusting a piece of cast iron that has been welded, no matter how good of a job it is, but in a pinch, it's way better than being stuck with a broken tractor.

I, myself, have repaired high stressed cast iron and cast steel parts by welding and brazing. All these parts were returned to service doing the same jobs. None have broken since. And I am far from unique or rare.
While I understand your reluctance to put a weld repaired cast iron part back into service a properly welded or brazed part will not be any weaker in the heat affected zone than the original part. You have probably seen bad repairs fail, I certainly have. A competent weldor will be able to repair cast iron and cast steel, snd the repair will be stronger than the original casting.
I guess the problem is finding the competent weldor.
Eric

 

[Rob41]

I hope you're able to get it repaired soon.

 

[ptsg]

I, myself, have repaired high stressed cast iron and cast steel parts by welding and brazing. All these parts were returned to service doing the same jobs. None have broken since. And I am far from unique or rare.
While I understand your reluctance to put a weld repaired cast iron part back into service a properly welded or brazed part will not be any weaker in the heat affected zone than the original part. You have probably seen bad repairs fail, I certainly have. A competent weldor will be able to repair cast iron and cast steel, snd the repair will be stronger than the original casting.
I guess the problem is finding the competent weldor.
Eric

I've welded cast iron parts my self too. Actually, just using some Nickel rods. A big one was the transmission housing for a crawler tractor that I couldn't find anyone else that could weld that for me. It held just fine, but doesn't make me any less reluctant.

It will never be as strong as the original part, but definitely works and can last a long time if the operator realizes that's a compromised part and adjusts the work to not put more stress in that area than he has to.

 

[North to Alaska]

Update:
They are sending down the parts.
Waiting on Brando’s for warranty okay.
Can’t get it in till Jan 5th

If I get the knuckle off, a local guy will weld it for me for “little or nothing “. So I have a functional tractor till it can get fixed.

Think I will try that…in the snow and the cold.

Now for the wheel bolts that I can’t find any info on bolt size?????
I don’t have an exact match so I need to get a socket. May post another thread with this question.

 

[K5lwq]

I think 17mm wrench will fit if I am not mistaken.

 

[North to Alaska]

19mm is too small

 

[K5lwq]

My bad. I was thinking of the bolts on the knuckle arm. I am not sure on the 20 series lug bolts. A 22mm fits the 15 series. They may be the same.

 

[North to Alaska]

Here are several short videos of me taking the knuckle off for a weld repair. Sorry about having so many short videos. I should have combined them.

Welder did a good job. It’s working well for now until the dealer replacement. I’ll keep the repaired piece for any future breaks.

Welder noticed the break had some rust where it must have started to crack earlier.

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4520r knuckle repair part 7

 

[K5lwq]

Enjoyed your videos. Thanks for sharing. When you do it again to put the new knuckle arm on, disconnect the tie rod end before you unbolt the knuckle arm. It will be much easier.

Just loosen the castle nut but do not remove all the way. Then you can hit the top of the nut with a hammer and it will fall right out.

I can not imagine working out in that weather like that! You are much a man!