25 HST 4wd front right tire locked up in cold weather

[Tifford]

About a week ago the front right tire refused to engage and was stuck in place. I spent about 20 minutes operating forward, reverse, up and down on the front snowblower attachment as well as left and right for the snow blower chute. I went into call the place where I bought the tractor from (new in 2014) and by the time I went out side to check on the idling tractor, the situation resolved itself.....all 4 tires were pulling again.

This morning I tried to snowblow and again the front right tire refused to move so I could not go anywhere. I was pressed for time so I shut the tractor down and went to work for 16 hours. I NEED this tractor to work. It says outside and the temps have been in the 20s or so Fahrenheit.

Suggestions PLEASE.

 

[BCLoco]

About a week ago the front right tire refused to engage and was stuck in place. I spent about 20 minutes operating forward, reverse, up and down on the front snowblower attachment as well as left and right for the snow blower chute. I went into call the place where I bought the tractor from (new in 2014) and by the time I went out side to check on the idling tractor, the situation resolved itself.....all 4 tires were pulling again.

This morning I tried to snowblow and again the front right tire refused to move so I could not go anywhere. I was pressed for time so I shut the tractor down and went to work for 16 hours. I NEED this tractor to work. It says outside and the temps have been in the 20s or so Fahrenheit.

Suggestions PLEASE.

Check for water in the gear case of that wheel. There should be a drain plug at the bottom of the crown gear housing on each front wheel. If you pull the drain plug, you should see fairly clean gear oil coming out.

I think what you'll find (if you do this when it's still below freezing) is that nothing comes out because the lower part of the crown gear housing is a frozen plug of ice, hence why your wheel won't turn. In that case you'll need to thaw the housing first, completely drain the front axle through both front wheel end drain plugs, and refill with clean, correct oil. Then keep it out of the weather or covered until you can figure out where the water got in and repair that seal.

If oil comes out, and doesn't appear milky or a thick creamy substance, then check for metal particles or filings in the oil. This is worst-case scenario and likely means a gear or bearing issue.

 

[Tifford]

Thank you! Just finished two 16 hour work days on 4 hours of sleep. After the sun rises, I'll put a tarp over the front, start the tractor and let the heat from the engine melt the ice. Then I'll get to work on draining the fluid. I have plenty of tools for the job (I think). Basement is full for the time being so I'll drive it over a 4x8 sheet of plywood and get to work.

 

[Tifford]

Went and got fluid from Mahindra dealer and some other stuff for a minor project.
26° F. Got back and started the tractor. Wheel still frozen. Put a tarp over the front end that reaches the ground on one side and almost to the ground on the other side. The front end (even with the blower) is completely covered.

Letting it idle for a while and I'll see what that brings me. Light snow for now.

 

[BCLoco]

Went and got fluid from Mahindra dealer and some other stuff for a minor project.
26° F. Got back and started the tractor. Wheel still frozen. Put a tarp over the front end that reaches the ground on one side and almost to the ground on the other side. The front end (even with the blower) is completely covered.

Letting it idle for a while and I'll see what that brings me. Light snow for now.

Is this the side that the exhaust exits on? If so, that might be part of the issue, if this does turn out to be water in the gear case. Blowing snow, it lands all over the front of the tractor, and the exhaust is melting it on that one side and it's running into the gear case through a bad seal. Just a theory, but it might be valid.

You may want to see if you can get a space heater or something on that housing. Unless you're confident that it's getting good and warm. If the ice doesn't get entirely thawed, it's not going to pour out.

 

[Tifford]

As I sit on the tractor, the exhaust blows low on the left side towards the front. The frozen tire is on the right front. I'm heading outside to see what's up so far.

 

[Tifford]

Just got back inside from checking on the tractor. The tarp over the tractor did the trick. All 4 tires now pull. Going to take a quick run down the 1/2 mile dirt road and knock some snow off the center of the road so it's safer for my wife's car to use.

One end of my house is up off the ground and has a concrete slab under it. When I get back I'll clean out a little space there so I can switch out the oil out of the front axle. The tractor only has 180ish hours on it. Not bad for almost 11 years old.

 

[BCLoco]

Just got back inside from checking on the tractor. The tarp over the tractor did the trick. All 4 tires now pull. Going to take a quick run down the 1/2 mile dirt road and knock some snow off the center of the road so it's safer for my wife's car to use.

One end of my house is up off the ground and has a concrete slab under it. When I get back I'll clean out a little space there so I can switch out the oil out of the front axle. The tractor only has 180ish hours on it. Not bad for almost 11 years old

Right on! Sounds like you're well on your way to a fix. At least a temporary one until you can address the water intrusion concern.

 

[BCLoco]

As I sit on the tractor, the exhaust blows low on the left side towards the front. The frozen tire is on the right front. I'm heading outside to see what's up so far.

Well there goes my theory lol

 

[Tifford]

By the time I got down the 1/2 mile road and back + cleaned out a space underneath the end of the house it was 5:00 pm with the sun setting so I parked the tractor and called it a day. I'll change out the front axle oil tomorrow starting at around noon. Friday it's supposedly getting to 32° F to 34° F from noon to 4pm.

 

[Tifford]

Saturday it's suppose to get up in the 40s so slight delay. Plus I got busy with other projects.

 

[Tifford]

Little 9mm open end wrench fits the bolt on the left side.

 

[Tifford]

Some of the fluid drained out of the left front. I'd say there's water in there. The front right wheel was seized but from what the dealership told me, they are connected at the front.

 

[edgar10937]

Sometimes folks cleaning equipment with a pressure washer blow water in past seals
and other places it doesnt need to be
Edgar

 

[Tifford]

This is a larger container that i put the front axle fluid into. You can see the contrast between the brown edge (which is oil from vehicle oil changes) and the chocolate milk color of what is coming out of the front axle.

 

[Tifford]

14 mm bolt in the center of the front axle. It was on tight! I assume this is metric. The reason why I say this is because my elcheap harbor freight open end wrench had a loose grip on the bolt. Definitely chocolate milk coming out of the center!

 

[Tifford]

Finally opened up the front right 9mm bolt next to the tire that was seized. Pure water initially came out. That was the issue. Next time I have it serviced I'll ask the dealership how the water got in there. I, myself have never pressure washed it.

 

[Tifford]

I hope this helps someone out. I've included a pic of my tractor that I bought new in 2014. It has 188 hours on the engine and has always been serviced by the place where I bought it from. Last service was at 150hours. It has always slept outside but that may change next winter.
Tools needed:
-9mm open end wrench
-14mm open end wrench
-Something low to the ground to drain oil into. Typical drain pans found at auto parts stores are to high
-Rag to check the oil level once done
-Channel locks to get the yellow dipstick off incase someone put it on to tight.

 

[rodneyn]

I hope this helps someone out. I've included a pic of my tractor that I bought new in 2014. It has 188 hours on the engine and has always been serviced by the place where I bought it from. Last service was at 150hours. It has always slept outside but that may change next winter.
Tools needed:
-9mm open end wrench
-14mm open end wrench
-Something low to the ground to drain oil into. Typical drain pans found at auto parts stores are to high
-Rag to check the oil level once done
-Channel locks to get the yellow dipstick off incase someone put it on to tight.

Most of those aluminum castings draw moisture from temperature changes add in heat from using it in 4wd it will draw moisture. This goes the same for Hydraulic or hydrostatic these systems draw moisture. You had tractor since 2014 at 188 hours you need to change fluids annually or every two years if low hour usage to keep moisture from destroying unit. Especially true if unit sets outside. Nature is tough on machines.

 

[Tifford]

Most of those aluminum castings draw moisture from temperature changes add in heat from using it in 4wd it will draw moisture. This goes the same for Hydraulic or hydrostatic these systems draw moisture. You had tractor since 2014 at 188 hours you need to change fluids annually or every two years if low hour usage to keep moisture from destroying unit. Especially true if unit sets outside. Nature is tough on machines.

Thank You. I'm learning.