TC40 front axle problem, great dealer fixed it

Kent · Aug 12, 2003

The bad news with my NH TC-40D. (350 hrs, new Sept 2001) Last week I was moving 40 yds of loam on fairly level ground, in 4wd. Heard a clunk, and then no front 4wd. Slowed me down a bit getting the work done, but was able to finish.

The good news was my dealer's superb service (KLEM Tractor in Spencer, MA). Picked the tractor up the next day. I was going to call today (a week later) to see what was the problem was, and before I could, the truck pulled up! Cool.

The problem (known by NH) was the locking nut on the front pinion gear was not assembled with a locking washer. Problem only experienced by owners who work the front end hard (like me with my Rooter bucket). Bolt spins off, pinion slips apart. Fix is fairly easy, though you have to crack the front axle case open to get to it.

The cost to fix it? No charge for parts or work. No charge for 80 miles round trip pickup and delivery.

No charge for a complete power wash (looks spanking new). (I have spent thousands at the VW dealer for repairs and they have never washed my wife's Jetta.)

I had also sent along my Rooter bucket (started falling off with certain motion), and they welded on a new deeper lip for the ATI quicktach. No charge.

Added a flow limiter to my top hydraulic link on 3 pt hitch. Also replaced the hoses back there. No charge!

OK, I admit I had initially chaffed at the fact that KLEMs didn't deal prices when I bought the tractor and implements. But you know what? They know their products inside and out. Everything was set up perfectly when I bought the tractor and implements (4-in-1 bucket front hydraulics and thumb switch on joystick, extra rear remotes, hydraulic top link, showblower subframe, etc.). Everything has worked flawlessly for two years, the initial expense well worth the time it would have taken for me to hunt down parts and fiddle around. And now some pretty major work performed at no charge!

This is what good dealers are all about. KLEMs is one of those rare places where things are done right.

jinman · Aug 12, 2003

Kent, it sounds like you had a good warranty experience. Thanks for the "heads-up" on that front pinion gear problem. My TC45D is a little older than your tractor and has 470 hours. I work it plenty hard and I'll keep my eyes "peeled" for the same indications. Did you ever notice any play or strange sounds before the assembly came apart? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

jinman · Aug 13, 2003

Kent, I feel a little like I'm hijacking your post, but I've looked a little closer at the illustrated parts catalog and found what I think is the nut that loosened up on your front FWD input pinion shaft. Both the supersteer and non-supersteer front drive axles have a similar nut. I'm attaching scans of the illustrations with the nut highlighted. Let me know if I picked the wrong part.

Attachment is Non-Supersteer; part #38 is the nut.

jinman · Aug 13, 2003

Attachment is Supersteer; part #7 is the nut.

Kent · Aug 13, 2003

Early warning sign

Thanks for the post on the schematics! Unfortunately, because the dealer picked up the tractor, I didn't get into too much detail on the followup phone call. I suspect you are correct, though, from the verbal description I received. Fortunately, nothing "broke"...just came apart. In addition to adding a lock nut, the dealer also used Locktite. (Why the factory didn't do this was a surprise to the service mgr).

The only thing that seemed to be happening ahead of time was an increasing difficulty in engaging/disengaging the 4wd lever. It was always stiff (reverse a little or suspend wheels often necessary), but it became almost impossible right before the clunk.

A nice side benefit of having the dealer fix the pinion is now that the 4wd lever is smooth as butter!

jinman · Aug 13, 2003

Re: Early warning sign

Thanks for the additional information, Kent. I use FWD a bunch because my property has a lot of "character." I've noticed that if I leave the FWD engaged or disengaged for several days, then it is hard to operate. I just make it part of my daily operation to engage-disengage a few times and it seems to keep the operation going smoothly. If it ever becomes really tough, I'll suspect a similar problem to yours. Thanks again for relating your experience to us.

Larry_Van_Horn · Aug 14, 2003

Kent,
I am close to getting the same machine. Would you mind telling me which 4n1 bucket you got? How is it for picking up brush? Was the one touch - electric over hydraulic a lot more expensive? Thanks,
Larry

Kent · Aug 26, 2003

4-in-1 for TC40D

Larry - Sorry for the delay in response, as I have been away for a while. Here is my previous post on the ATI/CAL 4-in-1 bucket: 4-in-1.

The thumb control is an electric switch that when pressed (mounted on the joystick), diverts the pressure from the curl to the 4-in-1 cylinder. The switch controls a bank of solenoids mounted on the FEL arm at foot level. Using the switch in combination with the curl takes a little practice, but when you get it wired, you can do wonderful things with the 4-in-1. I won't own another FEL without it! The extra circuit up front could also be used for hydraulically powered attachments (e.g. a broom or a post hole digger).

I have a front-mounted snowblower, and the same circuit raises/lowers the output chute flap. (the curl turns the chute).

Of course, plumbing and wiring the whole thing was a bit on the expensive side (all done by dealer), but it was well worth the expense to have it done right.

(On the side, if you want to buy my tractor and all attachments, let me know kent@waresource.com. I am passively considering selling, as all the heavy work is done around here and a smaller tractor would realistically be more useful now. Or, if you want to buzz over to take a look at my setup, I live near the MA pike just past Worcester).