T273 bracket breaking due to vibration

[TYMinColton]

How many hours do you have on your tractor now? My muffler broke loose at probably less than 50 hours and the fuel pump bracket at around 100 hours. The cause of the break is from motor vibration. Both parts would probably break with the tractor just running at idle. I don't think these little tractors will hold up over the long haul. More like a oversized lawn mower.

Hope you're wrong Bud . . . but it does seem that some of these mounting brackets are undersized for the vibration load they're experiencing. I just received my "new" fuel pump mounting bracket in the mail yesterday (under warranty). I haven't had a chance to compare it to the "old" one, but there is some indication from the packaging that it is an upgraded part. If the redesigned muffler bracket is any indication, this new part might just do the trick - or then again, it might just break again in 20 hours and I'll be calling my dealer for another "new" bracket .

Not sure I agree with the lawnmower comment . . . These TYMs are pretty tough little buggers that can take some serious abuse. I don't think that a few small issues like mounting brackets are an indication that the overall structural engineering is suspect. . . We have to remember that every new production line out is likely to have a few of these nagging little issues. It's up to us, the customers, to keep TYM informed of these issues as they happen. Since many of us simply "break out the welder" when something needs fixin', I suspect that TYM doesn't even know about some of these issues. In my experience TYM and its dealers have been incredibly attentive and responsive to my concerns, and clearly appreciative it when customers take the time to point out correctable defects (warranty or otherwise).
Best,
Pete

 

[howlin_wolf]

How many hours do you have on your tractor now? My muffler broke loose at probably less than 50 hours and the fuel pump bracket at around 100 hours. The cause of the break is from motor vibration. Both parts would probably break with the tractor just running at idle. I don't think these little tractors will hold up over the long haul. More like a oversized lawn mower.

Not many...A little over 200.

It IS a lawn mower. It is made to accept a standard belly mower for goodness sakes! I think it's built very well for it's purpose though. Aside from the issue with these brackets, I can't find a problem with it. (Well my foot doesn't fit between the differential lock and brakes too well with boots on, but I got some big dogs) I think if I use it for what it was meant for, maintaining a few acres of land, it will last longer than I will. I can pull an 8' York rake or sink my middle buster to the draw bar arms and chug through just about anything. I know it will break if I hook a 10' round hay baler to it, but TYM makes other machines to handle that....Now if I could just find a reason to buy one of em.

You sound a little my buddy. He thinks Ford builds junk now cause he broke his 1 ton pick up when he put 4 tons of gravel in it.

 

[TYMinColton]

Just to followup and my earlier e-mail. I just finished installing my new fuel bulb mounting bracket. Looks like it's an identical part to the original. Close inspection of the backside (see pic) indicates that the break is occurring at a spot where a bolt is welded. I'm guessing I'll be replacing this do-dad again. Time to learn how to weld I guess. . . .
Pete

 

[Bkjohns]

Hi all,
Same issue with my T273 re: the muffler and the fuel pump mounting bracket breaking. On the third go around with the fuel pump mount, although it is actually the first one that I welded back together along with the addition of a small gusset on the 'front' side (nearest the fan). That has been holding for over 100 hours now and doesn't vibrate at all. A simple fix that should be factory done. I had a discussion with a rep from TYM when the muffler and fuel pump bracket broke about re-engineering them. Apparently the muffler has been redone (I'm on the second version and it is working fine - I hear that they modified it a second time by adding some angle iron). Sounds like the fuel pump bracket has yet to be changed. Too bad, it seems to be a very common problem. I was told that it was an addition after production because the fuel strainer bowl was too low and hit the frame if mounted as it was engineered (notice the unused two threaded holes on the engine, beneath the bracket - that was the original idea for mounting directly - no bracket).

As for another vibration related problem, keep an eye on the hydraulic fluid cooler. Mine shook so bad at idle that the mounting stud broke off. Fortunately it was still under warranty (within 2 years of new). It is possible that mine was flawed by looking at it after the break but it does still vibrate a lot. Might have to weld that one up too.

I have a lawn tractor - the TYM T273 is no lawn tractor. I work it hard, and other than the above design issues, have had no trouble with it. It is amazing what you can do with it.

Have fun and if anyone gets an updated fuel pump mount, post it here. I'd like to see what they did to correct the problem.

 

[TYMinColton]

Thanks Bkjohns. Sounds like we all will have to keep a close eye on the hydraulic fluid cooler. After replacing my broken fuel bulb bracket things are much much quieter, but there still seems a more subtle rattle coming from somewhere. Of course, it is a diesel so maybe I'm just a little paranoid.

What did you use as a gusset to reduce vibrations on the fuel bulb mount? I was thinking about doing the same thing when I replaced the broken one, but but wasn't sure what to try. Do you happen to have a picture of your fix?

Pete

 

[TYMinColton]

As for another vibration related problem, keep an eye on the hydraulic fluid cooler.

Stupid question, but what and where is the hydraulic fluid cooler? I took a quick look at my owners and service manual and it wasn't obvious to me. . . .
P

 

[Mike5252]

Hydraulic cooler is in front of the radiator.

 

[Bkjohns]

Hi,
I just used a small piece of 1/8" steel and welded it along the edges of the fuel pump bracket. Of course I also welded the original break. Just be sure to keep your bead small on the back side of the bracket. It fits tight to the engine and there isn't a lot of space for a big ugly bead. Unfortunately most of my welds are big ugly beads so my best welding is done with a grinder. I'll try to get a picture posted here soon.
Good luck.

 

[TYMinColton]

Hi,
I just used a small piece of 1/8" steel and welded it along the edges of the fuel pump bracket. Of course I also welded the original break. Just be sure to keep your bead small on the back side of the bracket. It fits tight to the engine and there isn't a lot of space for a big ugly bead. Unfortunately most of my welds are big ugly beads so my best welding is done with a grinder. I'll try to get a picture posted here soon.
Good luck.

Thanks. Unfortunately, I don't weld. But, I do have a neighbor who be able to do something similar to what you've suggested. I also noticed that my replacement muffler/ mounting bracket included the addition of rubber grommets that are sleeved over the attachment bolts. I'm guessing these are there to further "dampen" the effect of engine vibration. I'm thinking about just adding a couple of O-rings/rubber washers to the fuel bulb bracket and see if it helps.
Pete

 

[Bkjohns]

I would highly recommend the welding of a brace, even onto a new bracket. The grommets might help, but could also make it worse by allowing even more movement. One thing that happened when my bracket broke was that since the pump was flopping around in the engine compartment the fuel line got close to the fan and if I hadn't noticed it could have eventually ruptured the line. As it is there is only a small frayed area on the outer jacket of the line.
Hopefully the picture came out. The brace I welded on is the rust colored metal along the front (right side in the photo) of the pump bracket. Rock solid and has lasted for 100+ hours.

Good luck with yours which ever way you go.

Regarding the muffler, the only mod that TYM did to my version of the muffler was to change the lower mount (where it attaches to the frame near the exhaust end) from a hole with a grommet to a fork and grommet, open on the bottom, that allows the muffler to move when the frame flexes. That movement was what broke the muffler because it didn't have enough free play with just a hole and pulled the exhaust pipe. Something had to give. I don't know if vibration really played a part in it breaking or not.

Anyway, have fun with the 273. I really like mine for what I do with it.