Mahindra 5035 HST Front End totally disconnected

tgolf01 · Aug 23, 2018

One of my workers was using our 2012 Mahindra 5035 HST to move some debris at our golf course compost area when this happened. (see pic) Has anyone seen this?
Apparently, the 4 bolts that hold the front axle are threaded into the underneath frame and overtime worked themselves loose. Obviously this is something we did not see or quite honestly ever think to check.

I've never seen a whole front end come off a tractor and in researching to see if this has happened to anyone else, I have seen a few threads mentioning lug nuts coming loose, but nothing about the front axle bolts loosening over time.

I will say that this was not my first choice 6 years ago when we were looking for loaders, and with only 980 hours this tractor has had numerous other issues including poor bucket hydraulics, issues with the glow plugs, having to replace fuel lines due to lack of keeping prime, the list goes on. So now I need to most likely call in a wrecker to lift it up to get it on a flatbed. Any help with info is appreciated, as I would be shocked if this has never happened to anyone else, as my dealer said never seen this before! Thanks in advance!

Agvg · Aug 23, 2018

Probably lack of quality control, proper designed bolts with right torque don't come loose. Not much help.

radios1 · Aug 23, 2018

WOW, don't you hate when that happens?. anyway, apparently this has happened a few times to a few people, and the manufacturer made a fix using 1 large bolt instead of the 4 small bolts..

Btown · Aug 23, 2018

I hope the threaded holes did not warp. Little bit of loctite at the factory can go a long way.

jb1390 · Aug 23, 2018

radios1 said:
WOW, don't you hate when that happens?. anyway, apparently this has happened a few times to a few people, and the manufacturer made a fix using 1 large bolt instead of the 4 small bolts..

Nope. Different problem.

jb1390 · Aug 23, 2018

tgolf01 said:
One of my workers was using our 2012 Mahindra 5035 HST to move some debris at our golf course compost area when this happened. (see pic) Has anyone seen this?
Apparently, the 4 bolts that hold the front axle are threaded into the underneath frame and overtime worked themselves loose. Obviously this is something we did not see or quite honestly ever think to check.

I've never seen a whole front end come off a tractor and in researching to see if this has happened to anyone else, I have seen a few threads mentioning lug nuts coming loose, but nothing about the front axle bolts loosening over time.

I will say that this was not my first choice 6 years ago when we were looking for loaders, and with only 980 hours this tractor has had numerous other issues including poor bucket hydraulics, issues with the glow plugs, having to replace fuel lines due to lack of keeping prime, the list goes on. So now I need to most likely call in a wrecker to lift it up to get it on a flatbed. Any help with info is appreciated, as I would be shocked if this has never happened to anyone else, as my dealer said never seen this before! Thanks in advance!
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Never seen that one before - I'm very curious what actually failed. Once I have my machine back here I'll be checking that area.

Regarding moving it, if it has a loader, that means you can lift the front end (provided the hydraulics aren't spraying everywhere due to the broken hose). Depending on where it is located, you may be able to set the front of the tractor on a trailer or bed of a truck, and drive it that way. If it were mine I'd try to disconnect the front axle entirely. It would take some coordination to get it on a trailer though. Wrecker is definitely the easier way to go.

sawhite27 · Aug 27, 2018

No answers to offer; but poor hydraulics (for loader) even after filters replaced and additional fluid; Inability to change gears (not HST); PTO selection not working (cannot ease it into rotation with the clutch)- it just turns ON instantly (and violently) putting equipment at risk. Time for a slip clutch I guess.

Jabonee · Aug 27, 2018

There are locking tabs that bend over the flats of the bolts that prevent them from backing out. I suspect the axel had been removed once and the tab locks were never reinstalled.

tgolf01 · Aug 30, 2018

Jabonee,
Thanks for the heads up on that. I am going to check the parts diagram and see if it shows these tabs on our model.

Coyote machine · Aug 30, 2018

Hate to say it but the right front tire tells the story. The lack of tread on the outside edge of the tire indicates a front end problem long before the axle fell off. Lack of overall maintenance I'd have to say, First pics shows signs of rust where some part of the frame or bracket had moved off its original alignment too. Can't tell from the pic exactly what it is that's misaligned. This tractor has seen some abuse in use.
Loader frame/chassis bolts do require periodic checking for tightness, especially when a tractor is new. It's cited in the owner's and service manuals of most brands, and its generally good practice to check any bolts that are stressed during use, until a pattern of them NOT coming loose is established. Best practice and common sense.

As to a temp repair. Try a bottle jack, floor jack, farm jack, whatever is available and jack the axle back tight to the frame. Strap it in place with 2" ratchet strap or a come-along, or whatever you have available. Have a tow truck use their saddle to tow it or a dolly they can drop the front end into. Tow to wherever, repair, and check all bolts on entire tractor and keep doing that until you have a track record of what needs Locktite, etc. Get new wheel/tire(s), as needed and do a full service on it, and keep detailed records going forward. It will be as good as you treat it.
Good luck.