LS Frame Issue Video

[GManBart]

I think its just not enough metal on the R3039's, nothing more than that. The frame on my R4041 is easily double the thickness of the cracked ones when you factor in the extra plate that acts as a "strongback" so to speak or stiffener. Its true the casting of the front axle could contact that frame as it flexes/pivots, but you would have to do so pretty catastrophically and repeatedly to crack the frame on both sides. No doubt its that the loader is too heavy for the frame, it weighs 1000 lbs nearly. If you apply a downward force on something like a 2x4 that is on edge, the crack will most likely appear starting at the bottom. Remember, the R3039 is really an economy version of the R4041/47's weighing in 1000 lbs less. It seems like it's supposed to bridge the gap between the G and R series, an economy 40 horse tractor. It was discontinued for good reason, most likely b/c its too lightly built.
Tom

The 3039 has all the same basic features of the 41/47, but it's quite a bit smaller, so it should be lighter.

It was discontinued, along with the 41/47, because of the Tier IV changes, not because there was a problem with the design.

 

[rwork]

/

The 3039 has all the same basic features of the 41/47, but it's quite a bit smaller, so it should be lighter.

It was discontinued, along with the 41/47, because of the Tier IV changes, not because there was a problem with the design.

Ditto, GMan,
The 3039/4041/4047 are all being discontinued for the Tier IV models.

 

[Tbolt76]

To all,
Like I said, an attempt to bridge the gap between the G and R series. By economy I meant by trying to hit a particular price point. No slight intended toward 3039 owners. I would also say anyframe failure like that is a serious flaw, you never see something like that on old tractors, at least I never had. I have seen a lot of people question the durability of other manufacturers who use all aluminum rearend castings (JD 3000 series). I do hope the 3039 owners are taken care of by LS, as I do believe these guys are not abusing their machines. I also would like to mention that tractors in a partcular series should share basic things like frames, like they do in most other manufacturers but vary in engines and features. Tractors like JD's 5 series follow this, just like Kubota and others.
Tom

 

[rwork]

Correct, R30309 is/was the 3000 series, 4041/4047 the 4000 series. Different sizes altogether, but share the same "features".

 

[GManBart]

To all,
Like I said, an attempt to bridge the gap between the G and R series. By economy I meant by trying to hit a particular price point. No slight intended toward 3039 owners. I would also say anyframe failure like that is a serious flaw, you never see something like that on old tractors, at least I never had. I have seen a lot of people question the durability of other manufacturers who use all aluminum rearend castings (JD 3000 series). I do hope the 3039 owners are taken care of by LS, as I do believe these guys are not abusing their machines. I also would like to mention that tractors in a partcular series should share basic things like frames, like they do in most other manufacturers but vary in engines and features. Tractors like JD's 5 series follow this, just like Kubota and others.
Tom

Plenty of brands have more than one frame size within a given series. How many different size Kubota L series are there? Lots.

 

[rwork]

I got to thinking about something. My terrain is fairly smooth at my place so I doubt I'd have an issue of the front axle pivoting enough to cause constant banging against the frame. But, I may take a little piece of old tire rubber, and contact cement it to the top of the axle, as a cushion,.....just in case. If indeed it is the banging of the axle that is causing the fracture...
Just a thought!

 

[mangus580]

Looking at my tractor some more tonight, the more I think that it was a flawed frame to begin with. The cracks are just in FRONT of the 'rear' axle mount. Essentially putting the cracks between the 2 front axle mounts. Really an odd spot to crack just 'due to weight in the bucket' like my dealer suggested. I am going to maintain what I said before about the crack starting at the weld. I suspect it wasnt properly heat treated after the weld, therefore causing a fatigued joint to begin with.

Its really the only way to explain the cracks in that location.

 

[azranger]

I got to thinking about something. My terrain is fairly smooth at my place so I doubt I'd have an issue of the front axle pivoting enough to cause constant banging against the frame. But, I may take a little piece of old tire rubber, and contact cement it to the top of the axle, as a cushion,.....just in case. If indeed it is the banging of the axle that is causing the fracture...
Just a thought!

I had a piece of rubber belt from a screen plant and I cut it to fit the flat pad on top of the axle, and I JB welded it to the top of the axle. Kind of works like an axle stop.

 

[mjstef]

Is the R3039 the same frame as the XR3037C?? I am about to drop the $$$$ on an XR3037C but don't want any issues. Stepping up to the 40 series for me would mean another 10K in new WIDER attachments and i really don't want to go there right now.....

 

[EuroYanmar]

I got to thinking about something. My terrain is fairly smooth at my place so I doubt I'd have an issue of the front axle pivoting enough to cause constant banging against the frame. But, I may take a little piece of old tire rubber, and contact cement it to the top of the axle, as a cushion,.....just in case. If indeed it is the banging of the axle that is causing the fracture...
Just a thought!

AS I don't own personally a LS tractor (I am just thinking about buying one) I am not sure the crack problem is originated in this kind of banging.
But, what is sure is some professional owners of LS tractors noticed that, on rough vineyards, this banging occure so often that they want to resell their tractors with low hours. A "Rio 60 HP" (the name for R60 here) owner explained me this just one week ago on the phone.
Reading what has been posted on the thread I was leaded to make the connection between banging and cracking.

Phil

 

[GManBart]

Is the R3039 the same frame as the XR3037C?? I am about to drop the $$$$ on an XR3037C but don't want any issues. Stepping up to the 40 series for me would mean another 10K in new WIDER attachments and i really don't want to go there right now.....

I haven't seen anything official, but it appears the two use different frames....dimensions are totally different.

The XR 40 series is only 2" wider than the 37, so why would that force you to go with wider implements?

 

[rwork]

Well, I'm not going to panic. I've had my tractor for two years, and I've worked the snot out of it, without a single issue. I will keep an eye on this area, just like I periodically check nuts and bolts for tightness.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Looking at my tractor some more tonight, the more I think that it was a flawed frame to begin with. The cracks are just in FRONT of the 'rear' axle mount. Essentially putting the cracks between the 2 front axle mounts. Really an odd spot to crack just 'due to weight in the bucket' like my dealer suggested. I am going to maintain what I said before about the crack starting at the weld. I suspect it wasnt properly heat treated after the weld, therefore causing a fatigued joint to begin with.

Its really the only way to explain the cracks in that location.

That welded plate causes an abrupt stiffness change -- a stress riser. Its not the weld per se, but the notch effect due to the lack of blending from one stiffness to another in a hi stress area.
larry

 

[mjstef]

Wih the r4 tires i measured almost 69" width on the back tires.....

I haven't seen anything official, but it appears the two use different frames....dimensions are totally different.

The XR 40 series is only 2" wider than the 37, so why would that force you to go with wider implements?

 

[mangus580]

Well, I'm not going to panic. I've had my tractor for two years, and I've worked the snot out of it, without a single issue. I will keep an eye on this area, just like I periodically check nuts and bolts for tightness.

I would suggest touching base with your dealer. If nothing else, you should at least get the updated loader brackets. Keep in mind... you have had it 2 years... meaning, you have only 3 years left of warranty. It would be a royal bummer to have cracks show up in year 5 or 6 that were possibly preventable.

 

[rwork]

I would suggest touching base with your dealer. If nothing else, you should at least get the updated loader brackets. Keep in mind... you have had it 2 years... meaning, you have only 3 years left of warranty. It would be a royal bummer to have cracks show up in year 5 or 6 that were possibly preventable.

Thanks Mangus,
You're right, hopefully I won't have this issue, but it would be a good idea to let them know that I am aware that there could be a potential issue.
Keep us posted as to how they handle this for you.

 

[mangus580]

They have scheduled to take the tractor into the shop on July 7th and do the work. To be replaced, are the actual frame rails, fan shroud and fan. As well as adding the additional brackets.

When I stopped into the dealer they were aware of the potential, and they were shocked I didnt have the 'bracket upgrade'. Funny really, since they knew it didnt have them when I bought it! LOL

 

[joemd11]

They have scheduled to take the tractor into the shop on July 7th and do the work. To be replaced, are the actual frame rails, fan shroud and fan. As well as adding the additional brackets.

When I stopped into the dealer they were aware of the potential, and they were shocked I didnt have the 'bracket upgrade'. Funny really, since they knew it didnt have them when I bought it! LOL

I plan to call my dealer next week and ask if I can get my tractor upgraded with the new loader brackets. Maybe it is still early in this scenario but it doesn't seem like the dealers are notifying the owners about the cracks. Don't want to be left holding the bag when my warranty runs out.

 

[hutchman]

I never got to see the difference between frames since the dealer that did my repair is an hour away but they did tell me there was a difference. All I could tell by looking was the extra plates which about add up to the same thickness as the 41/47 frames.

They have scheduled to take the tractor into the shop
on July 7th and do the work. To be replaced, are the actual frame rails, fan shroud and fan. As well as adding the additional brackets.

When I stopped into the dealer they were aware of the potential, and they were shocked I didnt have the 'bracket upgrade'. Funny really, since they knew it didnt have them when I bought it! LOL

 

[Mattc8832]

I have almost the same LS tractor - it was the farmtrac 3031 built by LS with a Farmtrac sticker on it. I would think it would be lower quality steel possible. LS is probably importing steel fro India.