Tractor wheel fell off! :(

[RoyJackson]

"You best find someone else to service that tractor if they use an airgun on your oil drain plug... "

I can't say it was the dealer since I bought the tractor used (through the dealer). However, when I found I couldn't get it off, I did send it in with very explicit directions to torque the plug, no air gunning!

 

[hazmat]

<font color="blue"> I think those bolts maybe metric </font>

I'd bet big money that they are metric. Don't know what size off the top of my head. Take one from the left side with you to the store. Be sure you are buying hardened bolts. There should be a number stamped into the head of the bolts you've still got. Match that. Or wait untill tomorrow & get them from your dealer.

As others have said, don't drill anything.

Good luck.

 

[cowboydoc]

Ditto what John Miller said. It's your resp. to make sure your tractor is safe and everything is in working order. Def. not a warranty issue in my book. Chalk it up to exp. and check your wheel bolts next time.

I baled hay all day today. We were late getting back from church this am but I still spent about 45 minutes before going out checking out the tractor and baler and greasing everything.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hello everyone, well got my tractor fixed 2 days ago after 21 days waiting for a new rim for the tractor (see attachment). In addition to the rim the hub and the bolts had to be replaced as well. Everything was covered under warranty by New Holland. Apparently my incident was not an isolated one. Just 90 miles from me another TC 24D lost it front wheel except it was on the left side. New Holland management told me that the front axle assembly including the wheels had QC issues. This explains why all the bolts on the front axle were losing and fluid was leaking from the axle pumpkin at the halves.
I urge everyone to check the bolts on the their TC 24D’s in case there is another one that got away from the QC department.
Since I had to wait for so long I had to make things work so off to Home Depot I went and got some really questionable bolts that I was going to use to hold on my wheel. I was able to find some that fit the treads of the hub (only 2 were not stripped out) I also got some washers, lock washers and nuts to go with them. I then drilled out the bad holes in the hub and inserted a bolt and bingo I was back in action. I had lots of work to get done and as they say, a man has to do what a man has to do. I also moved 42 tons of heavy wet clay like dirt. Must have been the heaviest load my 54 inch bucket has ever lifted. I kept an eye one the bolts and they seemed to be holding. After the task I checked the nuts and they were starting to work loose so I tightened them and off to the next task. This time it was very light duty, just spraying weeks. I noticed the wheel was moving a little so I stopped and checked and they were loose go figure. So I guess I owe Home Depot some gratitude for keeping in business while my dealer looked for a new front wheel.
I know many out there must be horrid at my deed but solutions like that is why they don’t pay me the big bucks. It does not help that I have all these can do people around me either.
So in conclusion we have learned that one must check their nuts often /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, and bolts too. And where there is a will there is always a way.

George

PS: Thank you for the great advice it keep me on my toes. And the dealer was great they even sent out their best man, a really nice guy.
Oh and for who asked what kind of engineer I am. Remote Television Engineering is my gig; I keep TV on the air when there is a big event such as a Nascar Race or big trial.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Picture 2 of 2

 

[RedDog]

Well that is great that it was under warranty /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif,,, as I thought it should have been!!

I must be the minority!! I sure don't look at my lug nuts every time I use the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif To me, this is going overboard!!!

Do these people that say you should check lug nuts, check theirs everytime, including their personal vehicles??? I think not. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RedDog <font color="orange"> Kioti DK65 </font>

 

[GaryM]

I notice they didn't need a jack for the front end! Used the built in one.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

In the future, go to a better hardware store & get some grade 5 or grade 8 bolts & nuts. Use lock nuts, or get the bolt long enough & put 2 regular nuts on each bolt, tighten the nuts against each other. This would have kept them tight on your temp repair, & been more than strong enough. The price would have been less difference than the gas it took you to go buy them.

Otherwise, as long as drilling things out was ok with your dealer, I think you did fine carrying on as you did. If it were me, I'd sure check that out _first_ before getting the drill, or you might be erasing evidence that this is a warrenty reapair....

--->Paul

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hello everyone, I agree I could have used a whole heck of a lot better hardware but being that the Home Depot is just 10 miles from home it was very convenient. And it is hard to find a regular hardware store around here. Use of the very best bolts and nuts would be the safest things to do. For everyone out there I can prove that Home Depot hardware can hold up to some very serious work. I should also add that the holes I did drill out used a larger bolt and 2 washers and 1 lock washer. There was not enough room for 2 nuts on the back end. It was very fortunate for me there was even enough room for the temp fix anyway. I would have been more completive about drilling the hub but I was under a deadline and felt I could get the tractor back in action while I waited for the parts to repair it properly. I must admit that my wife and I were very concerned that it would not be covered under warranty if I tried to repair it. Also people who posted on this subject really made me feel that it would not be covered at all and maybe I should beg for forgiveness. As it turned out it was never an issue it was covered and no discussion about it ever came up. They were very concerned that I was not hurt and knew they had to get it fixed because I would work it anyways until the parts came in. That really bothered them since I really feel they did not want to see me hurt and then not be able to upgrade to a bigger unit later. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif When it comes right down to it the dealer can make thing happen and one should buy from a dealer that makes them feel ok. New Holland’s warranty also seems to stand up and take charge when it is needed. Trust me I deal with lots of companies big and small and New Holland and my dealer have taken care of me the way I expected them too, at least so far. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif