What did you do to or on your Mahindra today?

[Deleted member 314313]

The fact that threads and holes are damaged, means it was operated while loose. Just cause the bolts were torqued, doesn't mean that things were properly/tightly seated together. If the tire wasn't off the ground, it could have been on a bind that didn't allow the "proper torque" to pull it together. Such things require closer observation than a "good walk around". You also need to take things like "tractor weight" and "the earth" out of the equation when checking torque on such things.

Of course the bolts were loose that's why they came out. Now I've heard it. The bolts were torqued to spec. 96ftlbs on level ground.
The problem wasn't the earth or tractor weight. The problem is bolt stretch over painted surfaces in addition to lack of Loctite and the design of the lug bolts. A good walk around by me would have identified loose bolts. I have heard of several Mahindra 3550 front tractor tire bolts falling out. It's the design of the bolt against the rim that assists them loosening. Have other tractors with different lug design and rims, they have never gotten loose much less fallen out. Thanks for the input. Keep checking them lugs.

 

[Sysop]

I do check regularly, but I lift the tire off the ground so I don't have the weight and traction adding to the forces against the fastener. If something is loose enough it is wobbling and wearing on holes and threads, the forces needed to pull it all together is going to easily exceed the "torque spec" if it is setting on the ground. When you put stuff on a bind under the load of the weight of the tractor, it can be VERY loose and still seem tight and click a torque wrench at the "spec"... Point is, if you just checked and they fell off under ten hours later, there was a problem with the method you used to check them. If you didn't lift the weight off the tire, that would be why. I've checked mine more times than I can count in the 490 hours I've put on it and never got anything. In my experience, if they're tight, they stay tight.

 

[Deleted member 314313]

I do check regularly, but I lift the tire off the ground so I don't have the weight and traction adding to the forces against the fastener. If something is loose enough it is wobbling and wearing on holes and threads, the forces needed to pull it all together is going to easily exceed the "torque spec" if it is setting on the ground. When you put stuff on a bind under the load of the weight of the tractor, it can be VERY loose and still seem tight and click a torque wrench at the "spec"... Point is, if you just checked and they fell off under ten hours later, there was a problem with the method you used to check them. If you didn't lift the weight off the tire, that would be why. I've checked mine more times than I can count in the 490 hours I've put on it and never got anything. In my experience, if they're tight, they stay tight.

Torqueing lug bolts to 96ftlbs on level ground on a 3550 PST MFWD should be sufficient enough to seat the rim against the front axle spindle for 10 hrs of use without all the lug bolts falling out. Again, it wasn't the earth, elevation weight or method I used to torque them which caused them to loosen and fall out. Moreover, if it wasn't a neighbor loosening them, then a possible cause could be the paint under the bolts, with the rim reassess design. There isn't enough weight on one front rim on level ground with the loader taking most the weight to prevent proper torque seat. If it does prevent proper torque seat on this tractor rim under the stated conditions then it's a design flaw.

 

[duffer]

Busy couple of days for the 2538.

Yesterday I moved a truck load of topsoil to some wash-out areas around the property. Also moved 20 ton of Rip-Rap (6-10" stone) and lined the driveway to prevent erosion.

This morning I aerated (plugged) my 10 acres, as part of my normal "maintenance". Will likely fertilize it again right before the next rain. Then I get to mow, mow, mow.

 

[duffer]

Over the weekend I moved about 25 tons of fill and 5 trees, 2-3' diameter, 75' long to fill in behind the house. Trees were bucked into 15' sections, give or take.

Also moved 15 or so 3-4' boulders for my boulder wall project.

Sounds like some heavy duty work for the 2538. Do you have pallet forks for it, bucket forks, or just strap the trees and lift/drag them? 2'-3' diameter, even at 15' is a LOT of weight. What's your estimate of the weight of the boulders?

 

[millsan1]

Sounds like some heavy duty work for the 2538. Do you have pallet forks for it, bucket forks, or just strap the trees and lift/drag them? 2'-3' diameter, even at 15' is a LOT of weight. What's your estimate of the weight of the boulders?

Have grapple, forks, regular bucket.

Boulders are north of 1,000 lbs.

 

[JerryK]

The first load in the moving of the wood week whilst it is dry out.... winter is a coming.

Brought in second load, too muggy. Will unload tomorrow if I am still kicking.... LIFE IS GOOD...!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dickfoster]

Put down some 3/8" pea gravel for my deck project this morning. All leveled out nice, smooth and even. 5 to 6 yards worty likely. Got a 10 wheeler full, 10 - 12 yards, dumped off this mourning. I'll likely finish up tomorrow. When the sun gets on the site I get off the tractor and get inside. By the time this thing is done you could build Trump Tower on top of it. I can't imagine why they put so much concrete into the foundation, 30 yards when 10 would have done the job just fine. I guess it's easy to spend money when it isn't yours. I paid 500 bucks just for the stinkin dumpster.

 

[JerryK]

Tada....!!!!! On to something new......

 

[erkme73]

@jerryk, at the risk of hijacking, can you tell me more about the 3pt wood hauler you have? Looks custom. Did you do a write up on it?