Mahindra Max 28 Front axle or wheel squeak/squeal

dannyboy413 · Jul 20, 2015

So a have a Max 28 w/ a loader on it. I recently bought a pair of bucket forks, and began hauling small(5-7') log lengths. I dont have any rear ballast, so I had the machine loaded a few times where my rear tires would bounce a hair off the ground. A couple weeks ago, i started getting a loud, sharp squeal on uneven surfaces, sharp turnings, and sometimes just a loaded bucket. I used it the other day with the forks again, and now Its squealing bad from the front wheel(s) or axles, but not all the time. I lifted the front tires off the ground, and they spin and turn without any squeal, and the axle pivots without a noise. I pulled the tires off to make sure nothing was stuck in between the rim and the hub. Greased all the fittings again, and Im still getting the squeal. The machines only has 56 hours on it..but could I have overloaded the front wheel bearings, or is it possibly something else? Thanks for any input/help you can give me, as I am a rookie tractor owner.

DLTTrekkers · Jul 20, 2015

Tightern your frontwheelnuts/bolts !

dannyboy413 · Jul 20, 2015

DLTTrekkers said:
Tightern your frontwheelnuts/bolts !

Its not a short mouse-like squeek, its a long squeal ...it almost seems like it coincides with the front wheels rotation.

AchingBack · Jul 20, 2015

You need to ask this in the Mahindra owning/operating forum. There are dealers there and other Max 28xl owners. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/mahindra-owning-operating/

Are you operating in 4WD when this squeal occurs? What type surface are you driving on while hauling logs, how fast are you driving, what gear?

dannyboy413 · Jul 20, 2015

AchingBack said:
You need to ask this in the Mahindra owning/operating forum. There are dealers there and other Max 28xl owners. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/mahindra-owning-operating/

Are you operating in 4WD when this squeal occurs? What type surface are you driving on while hauling logs, how fast are you driving, what gear?

I do most of the operating in 4wd...though it does squeal in 2wd as well. Its hydrostatic, but it doesnt seem to matter what speed im at. The surface is uneven wooded area. I'll post this is the other category as well, thanks.

DavesTractor · Jul 20, 2015

Making the front axle do all the propulsion work is the best way to damage a front axle. You need to get rear ballast and let the front wheels just assist. The rear axle and rear ring and pinion are much bigger and designed to take most of the HP.

Having said that, check to see if the driveshaft (under the tractor that is spinning the front axle) has a shroud around it and see if you have bumped or bent it up into the shaft. I've seen that more than once on various models. And I assume the axle is full of oil?

DavesTractor · Jul 20, 2015

...also check your loader and engine rail bolts along both sides of the frame. If they were a little loose and things shifted some with a big load, your fan could be rubbing your shroud. Not a likely cause, but a possibility.

dannyboy413 · Jul 20, 2015

Yea, the axle is full of oil. I checked the shroud around the drive shaft to see if it was dented up, but it looked ok. I would think if that was it, the squealing would happen all the time. I checked the bolts along the side on the frame - all tight. Sometimes theres no squeal, some times theres a random chirp, and sometimes its just constant squealing while I drive. I wish i could consistantly duplicate it so I could have a better idea of whats causing it/where the actual noise is coming from. It just seems like front wheel or axle.

DavesTractor · Jul 20, 2015

Before I tore into it, I'd remove the front driveshaft cover. It might have something in it that occasionally gets in a position to cause a squeal, then gets kicked around by the shaft in a safe position, then gets back against moving parts again, etc. That is my guess.