L4150DT Here We Go Again! Bevel Seal Replacement On L Side and Metal Shavings On R

nightowl490 · Dec 23, 2015

In the winter of 2008 I documented with photos and narrative of a complete 4150 bevel gear shafts rebuild. Doing some maintenance and had intended replacement of seal on opposite side since it was leaking and bothering me. On jacks, tinkering, starter rebuilt, blah blah. BTW, the previously repaired side, which was working flawlessly, had developed wheel seal leak, minor and easy fix, Messicks and I have good relationship, ordered seal months ago and the time has come.

Drain fluids, used small heater to heat sections I'm draining, good tip from an old friend of mine. Low and behold, metal shavings in the 2008 repaired bevel. Not liquid silver but noticeable nuggets. Flushed with kerosene and pulled off cover, that explains the wheel seal. 2cm of vertical bevel shaft play per spec. No lateral movement of shaft. So, looks like I'll be diving into both bevels. Will do just seal on left to break me in. Then get back into the 2008 previously fixed side. All I can say is I thought it was a done deal.

It crossed my mind to put her back together and wax her up dump it off. Besides the needed repairs, I know this machine, it's grunts, groans and cheers. Painful thoughts. The thought of getting to know another machine makesme cringe. I own every manual ever produced.

I'm somewhat perplexed. Even started sniffing around some other machines.

Not my style but $ammit.

rbargeron · Dec 25, 2015

Hi Mark - long time since we posted about your L4150. It's possible there has been a ball bearing gradually going south that looked ok back when it you had it apart. If the machine has other symptoms to the point you'd rather have something else, then that's certainly your choice. A lot of machines have grunts and groans and show small metal debris when opened up - often not really serious. With your experience and knowledge you can fix it for much less than the hit you'd take selling it as-is. Just sayin'.... Good luck, Dick B

nightowl490 · Dec 27, 2015

Rbargeron,
Thank you for reply. I know your like of the L series and have followed your comments for some time. That being said. I know that I'll be fixing this tractor. For the price of repair, com pared to replacement it's a no Brainer for me. I plan on doing it right and documenting my efforts.