loader issues

[matk]

just gotta ask if anyone else is having or had this issue i have a 2016 mahindra max 26xl 125 hrs on it the front end loader mount that mounts to the frame 1/2 inch steel keeps breaking all bolts that hold to the frame all have broken in the frame and no was not overloading it was hauling bags of mulch only the loader control valve side call to get a new one there outta stock so makes me think this is a major problem

 

[leonz]

I don't have your machine, but candidly it sounds as if they used a coarse thread grade 2 bolt to attach it to the tractor's engine cradle side plates
instead of a Grade 8 fine thread bolt washers and fine thread grade 8 nut securing it with red loctite and a torque wrench using the recommended
lubricated torque value to torque the nuts. IN short, your dealer cheaped out on installing it right if you bought it with a loader.

 

[matk]

thought that as well so i taped the holes used grade 8 and its still snaping the bolts and the mounting plate its like im hitting a wall at a 100 miles an hour and of course thats not true cant go that fast

 

[RjCorazza]

Wow that's odd. Do you have any pictures you could post, either of the snapped bolts, or even the current mounts?
Most of the loader bolt issues I have read about are a direct result of improperly torqued bolts, or loosening bolts over time. Not saying that's the case here...

 

[npalen]

What size are the bolts?

 

[Hoss710]

Are the bolts pulling the bracket tight against the frame ? do the treaded holes seem lose at all? if they are lose is the holes deep enough to use a slightly longer bolt ?

 

[rScotty]

MATK, we are missing something here. I thought in 20 years of talking about mechanical stuff the TBN guys would have covered everything - but I can't remember hearing this problem with any make of loader.

You mentioned they were "out of stock", so are these special dealer bolts for this loader? Why would you have to tap the holes? Drill and Tap to what size? Apparently these aren't just your standard thru-bolts with nuts.

I'm thinking we need some more info. Which bolts? Where? How did they break? Any ID markings on the bolt head?

Photos would help if you can figure out how to post them. Photos of the broken bolts especially.

Good luck,
rScotty

 

[diesel85]

Yeah, I agree. Something ain't right here. In my lifetime, the only time I've seen broken bolts on a loader was from misuse.

Would love to see pictures.

 

[matk]

okay bolts sheared off in the frame so i had to weld nuts on to get them out so i retaped them to american threads used grade 8 fine thread still sheared them off only on the right side call mahindra there out of stock on the right side only mounting plate this is where im having issues is bolt shear off and when that happens it breaks the mount 1/2 in steel i have welded it back together and it breaks in another spot it breaks it to 2 pieces like i said before its like im doing 100 and hitting a wall so is this there flaw on that side is there another loader mount that would work or am i just SOL

 

[Smokeydog]

What size bolt? Did you have enlarge frame holes to resize tapped holes? Flat mating surfaces? Using heavy flat washer and lock washer? Rounding and chamfering all edges? Like others have asked, pictures can be very helpful diagnosing issues.
Many engineering techniques to minimize stress risers to prevent cracking materials. There are rare bad batches of materials but not enough information given.

 

[rScotty]

What size bolt? Did you have enlarge frame holes to resize tapped holes? Flat mating surfaces? Using heavy flat washer and lock washer? Rounding and chamfering all edges? Like others have asked, pictures can be very helpful diagnosing issues.
Many engineering techniques to minimize stress risers to prevent cracking materials. There are rare bad batches of materials but not enough information given.

Yepper. I'm still missing too much info. Don't understand the geometry & need some photos. In fact, not even sure what is breaking where? What got rewelded? Is there a casting involved? And why would this be a Mahindra part rather than a standard bolted joint? Too many questions.
Half a dozen TBNers could design a fix for him - especially if he can fab metal.

 

[oosik]

No question - something here is wrong. I've had tractor w/loader for 40+ years and never a problem such as this. Never heard of this before either.

A thought - is the loader frame designed to operate on the OP's tractor. I ask this because if it is not - it could be that the hydraulics are the major cause of bolt breakage.

If grade 8 bolts are being sheared - something is surely out of wack.

 

[doneill127]

Don’t have the exact same machine, but close cousin. Not sure if this helps, but Mahindra doesn’t make their own loaders and backhoes. They’re added at Mahindra US assembly plants. They use a few different suppliers, mine are made by KMW in Kansas. 4 of the six engine mounting bolts get replaced with 12mm x 1.25 x 40 Grade 10.9 bolts which attach the subframe to the tractor. Not sure who makes your loader, but would think the mounting bolts might be the same.

 

[5030]

I regularly check the prevailing torque on the loader frame to chassis fasteners according to the call out in my owners manual. Part of continuing maintenance.

 

[Vigo327]

I think in order for that to happen the hydraulics of the loader must be involved somehow, perhaps an alignment/binding issue forcing the hydraulics to deflect something that normally does not deflect.

Will this mounting plate sit flush to the tractor without the bolts installed, or does tightening the bolts ‘pull down’ the plate and every time it breaks a gap is created between the previously clamped parts?

 

[Williy]

I can remember the chinese made some
so called #8 bolts but they were really like
#2 and created a lot of problems

willy