TC 24D with hole in the oil pan

LAGEORGE · Nov 15, 2003

Hello everyone, went out today to pick up 2000 lbs+ of fertilizer from the local supply lot with my tractor and wagon. Leaving the lot I noticed an oil leak coming from what looked like the oil pan drain plug. I always keep a couple of wrenches in my tractor toolbox just in case. I tightened the drain plug still the leak kept flowing in fact it seemed to get worse. I was about three miles from home and figured that I could first get it to the gas station where I could get some oil then put some in if needed. I made it the gas station and went in to get some oil they did not have any SAE 40 so I bought a quart of 30W and hoped I would not need it. I checked the oil and it seemed full so I continued up the hill home ward in a quick pace. Upon getting home I went out to the rear of the property (back 40) to dump the load that I had in the wagon and the bucket of the tractor. By this time the leak was a steady pour. I put a pan under the tractor to catch the oil with the engine off the oil continued to flow in fact now it was really pouring out. I tried to look once again at the drain plug and it looked OK, my dealer changed the oil last and has not leaked in the past. I cleaned away the drain plug but over and over the flow returned. Upon further examination I found the leak to be the oil pan not the drain plug. The front drive shaft of the tractor had been rubbing on the bottom of the oil pan and worn a hole in it. Once again I am in disbelief that I have yet another defect on my tractor. First the hydraulic leak then the ruptured fuel tank now a hole in my oil pan, great.
I called my dealer but it being Saturday they are closed so I called my salesperson on his cell phone and got voice mail, left message and told him I was going to try to seal it with JB Weld and if that was OK. I got no call back so I knew I would have to be able to get the tractor back to the street so I went ahead and put JB Weld on it. 5 hours later I poured oil back and in and it held so I moved it a position where it could be taken and worked on.
I can’t believe all the problems I continue to have with my tractor. Now I am sure it is a Monday tractor. I guess everyone with a NH TC 24D better take a look at the front wheel drive, drive shaft for signs of rubbing on the oil pan. There is next to no clearance between the two that is just bad design if you ask me.

I went ahead and took pictures of the whole thing but I can’t post them now since I lack the cable to connect the camera to the computer.

George /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

PS: I thought I would never need a wheelbarrow again, well at least my Jackson wheelbarrow is blue /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Bob_Skurka · Nov 16, 2003

George, I checked my TC24D and see that the front drive shaft sleeve has a good 1/8" clearance between it and the oil pan. There is plenty of light dust under there and I saw no indication of rubbing. There is a small scratch on my oil pan, probably from an isolated bang by the shaft sleeve against the pan. But the small scratch on the oil pan is so small that it could have happened in assembly when the shaft was put into place. Everything seems very solid under there and I don't see any movement. I'll look for your picture when you post. If it is significantly different than what I see under mine I'll post one of mine.

Is there a lemon law that applies to tractors? Based on your previous posts I have to agree with you on the MONDAY assembly of your tractor. All I can say is my TC24D has become my favorite and has not caused me any problems.

AndyM · Nov 16, 2003

I hate to say it, but after all of your problems, it sounds like you did get a bad one.
Does California have some kind of lemon law where you get get them to replace the tractor with a new one?

It's interesting how different vehicles made at the same factory by the same people will vary greatly in reliability.
I bought a brand new Ford Ranger in 1997, and after 100,000+ miles, I've only put on tires, brakes, and changed the oil. A friend of mine bought one a few months later, and had the transmission replaced three times within 12,000 miles.

Are the TC24's totally made in Japan like my TC18, or is it assembled in Dubin, GA like the bigger models?

Robert_in_NY · Nov 16, 2003

I too would like some pics. It doesn't make sense why the shaft would loosen up so quickly. Get the cable and post up some pictures so others can check their tractors and post their findings as well. If it did indeed do as you say, then you should have no problem getting NH to make right with a new tractor. Don't mess around with the dealer but talk to NH corporate. They do care about Customer Satisfaction and if you tell them all the problems you have had and how un satisfied you are with this particular tractor they should work something out for you. Don't threaten them or anything just be honest and if that don't work get ahold of a your attorney general and see if his office will look into it. New Yorks A.G. is constantly going after companies over similar customer satisfaction problems.

F350Lawman · Nov 16, 2003

I am sure TC24s are very good tractors, but 1/8" does not seem like a good ammount of room for a driveshaft to me.
Seems like kind of a tight design, no????

JerryG · Nov 16, 2003

Are these Super Steer tractors that are having this problem?
If they are not, can you see any evidence of frame flex?

Bob_Skurka · Nov 16, 2003

SuperSteer is not available on the small frame tractors, so no, this is not an issue on the TC24D.

As for the 1/8th inch clearance, I suppose it is plenty of room if the machine is tight, because the shaft would not move to contact the oil pan.

mahlers · Nov 16, 2003

I'm not a tractor tech, and don't know squat about how TC 24D's are put together, but is it possible that you have a loose or broken motor mount or transmission mount? On the cars that I build and race, I've had driveshafts come in contact (with catastrophic results sometimes) with all kinds of things when the motor mounts broke. It's just a thought. With 0.125" of clearance between the D/S and oil pan, you could easily contact it if you had loose mounts and shuttled between forward and reverse in low gear - at least I *think* you could...

bgott · Nov 16, 2003

Is the shaft bent? It might be wobbling into the oil pan.

LAGEORGE · Nov 17, 2003

Thanks everyone for the responses, I will try to get some pictures posted ASAP. I am currently in Sacramento at the inauguration of the govenator.

George