Little surprised - Missing bolt under tractor

[OLV1071571]

So i was under the tractor just checking on things and happened to notice a bolt missing. I thought it was odd as I never touched anything other than the drain plugs for transmission and engine oil changes. Upon further inspection I noticed it was 1 of 2 bolts holding together the step to get on the tractor from the left side. So i took the other bolt off, ran to home depot to get a match. Naturally they didn't have it so i got a regular cap bolt with a washer, it with something close but it still worked.

Just sharing as i thought it was odd to have this flange bolt missing on a new tractor. I could have come loose over time or just not have been on there at all.

 

[Spanner]

The previous bolt would have left a mark on the paint if it had been there. (Witness mark.)

Did you use Loctite on the new bolt you fitted?

Suggest you run over all bolts you can see with a spanner or three.

 

[OLV1071571]

Good point Spanner. Yes it did have a witness mark so it was there before so I assume it fell off somewhere in the fields. I am planning to go through and check all the major fittings this evening and will need to get some loctite as well.

 

[Spanner]

Make sure you check your wheel bolts/nuts.

 

[Gaowlpoop]

I have not had the problem of things being loose on my 4540, I have had the other problem, I can't get them lose. The wheel lugs were mentioned. Mine were so tight I had a 2 foot breaker bar and a 3 foot pipe and my feet still came off the floor.

I thought I was going to have a major problem with the filters but they were torqued about right.

The engine oil and transmission oil drain plugs were 2 foot breaker bar tight as well.

 

[OLV1071571]

Agreed on oil change. Took a lot to get those loose.

 

[RammerJammer]

You guys didn't get "free" tools with your tractors?

First day I used mine, I found a 3/8" drive hex bit socket on the ground where I was working. Unless it fell from an aircraft, it came from the tractor. So, some guy at the Chattanooga assembly plant is missing one, I suppose.

However, later I found a Zerk fitting was missing from the backhoe. So, it all evens out! Maybe he was too busy looking for the socket when it was time to install/check the grease fittings?