Broke my B26TLB rear axle shaft

[sandman2234]

Amazing savings on the axle…. any details you can share?

First thing, this was in the mid 2005 time frame.
The friend and neighbor at that time worked for a local Ford tractor dealership that closed down. She called one of her friends at a large supply house somewhere down in south Florida whom she had done a lot of business with over the years. Apparently he must have known her well and the story she told him worked because the $237 included getting the parts to Jacksonville. They didn't come overnight, but were here in a few days.
The friend I had sold the Ford 1100 to was looking at what it would take to build that axle and have it heat treated, but it was just too much work to do, so he was pretty sure he was going to have to spend the money to get the parts to repair it (if we could find them). When I told him that my neighbor not only found them, but got them at a reduced price, he smiled. With everything that he had going on at the time, the money saved was huge, but taking the pressure off for finding the parts was big also.
It really was a bigger deal than what it sounds, because of everything he had going on. The tractor purchase from me was part of a huge overall change in his life and the house of cards could easily have taken a different turn.
David from jax

 

[ultrarunner]

My first guess is one was sitting on some obscure shelf gathering dust.

Before the Internet age I would advertise in club publications if I needed a obsolete part.

I was able to find someone in the middle of nowhere that had new old stock Model A Ford axle shafts and lucked out otherwise it was going to be buying a rear end assembly, taking it apart and having the axle magnafluxed and dye checked for cracks.

The reproduction axles were not up to spec and came from Argentina or India at the time.

 

[Tinhack]

I was able to find someone in the middle of nowhere that had new old stock Model A Ford axle shafts and lucked out otherwise it was going to be buying a rear end assembly, taking it apart and having the axle magnafluxed and dye checked for cracks.

I still don't have my Model T together. I kinda gave up. I'm too old and crippled. I used to rebuild generators, starters and do nickel plating and sheet metal for others. My T sat on the back burner.

 

[ultrarunner]

I still don't have my Model T together. I kinda gave up. I'm too old and crippled. I used to rebuild generators, starters and do nickel plating and sheet metal for others. My T sat on the back burner.

I’m coming to the realization I have projects that probably will never happen…

I was good with DuPont Centari with Hardner but the old enamels and lacquers have not been available here for decades and the old plating shops no more…

The California car culture has taken massive hits… the old guys with amazing talent have passed and buying a well sorted finished car or tractor is often the way to go… the key is well sorted.

I bought the 1953 Jubilee Ford Tractor restored by a Carrier Aircraft Chief… first class work bought for about the cost of parts and material…

The Internet has really helped on parts sourcing… back in the day my Ford dealer was able to find some obsolete parts for me doing North America search…

 

[sandman2234]

My first guess is one was sitting on some obscure shelf gathering dust.

Before the Internet age I would advertise in club publications if I needed a obsolete part.

I was able to find someone in the middle of nowhere that had new old stock Model A Ford axle shafts and lucked out otherwise it was going to be buying a rear end assembly, taking it apart and having the axle magnafluxed and dye checked

2005 for a 1979 tractor part probably wouldn't have much dust on it! However it also doesn't figure in much inflation that has chased these parts nowadays!
David from jax

 

[civilian]

Update. Called the dealer today ust before lunch. A week ago I was told still waiting for parts. so today asked for parts man and he said he thought it was being split, engine from tramsmission and hydraulics and couldn't asnwer me. After bouncing around around on the phone, the service writer told me it was finished and waiting for dealer. Told them I would pick it up to cover my deductible from insurance. Loaded up the trailer and when I arrived, I asked if someone could explain and show me what they had to do to fix. Original estimate was 6 hours to fix, insurance to me something like 24 hours figured by adjuster who talked to dealer's shop to figure cost. So my insurance check included 24 hours labor, parts same and delivery cost removed.

The reason for the extra labor was the B26TLB backhoe has a much more stout frame assembly for the backhoe and the loader arms and 4 post ROPS. No rear wheel on, how do you remove the backhoe? Not easy. After market cab I installed this past winter had to come before the loader and ROPS frame could come off. Then the engine, trasmission, hydraulics could be lifted out of the rest of the frame. Axles(going through main frame) have to come up from frame not down. Then they could disassemble the axle shaft housing to replace the axle shaft. So tomorrow I go back to dad's to continue clearing/burning fromthe March/April ice storm. Jon

 

[civilian]

Spent most of the afternoon in the B26TLB with the grapple work. No leaks or anything after sitting in trailer over night. But the brakes work a lot better than before. Dealer most have adjusted them tighter. Thanks dealer. Jon

 

[shooterdon]

Jon, just saw this thread. Glad it worked out got you.

Did the dealer have any idea what caused the axle to snap like that?

 

[not2old]

I’m coming to the realization I have projects that probably will never happen…

All of mine will get done if I can figure out how to live to about 130

 

[civilian]

Shooter, backhoe has never ben removed since I bought in 2018. So I haven't put any attachments which could have overloaded the axle shaft. So no idea. Now I can get the firewood processor and get my firewood put up for the season. Jon

 

[ultrarunner]

All of mine will get done if I can figure out how to live to about 130

For some of my friends it’s more declining ability such as eye sight or no longer able to be a contortionist.

 

[Sodo]

It would be real nice to get a reason of the break. But not around anybody that could look at it with the proper knowledge. Jon

Did you keep the broken parts?
Post closeup pics of each side of the break.

 

[sd455dan]

Did you keep the broken parts?
Post closeup pics of each side of the break.

Yeah also,
if OP or a friend have a lathe, that axle shaft steel like (SAE 1045, chrome-moly 4140, 4340,15410 ) is handy to have laying around and is Not inexpensive to purchase.

 

[civilian]

No the broken parts were left at the repairing dealer. Assuming by now, in their scrap bin. Jon

 

[whatever1]

Sunday was not a good day for me. Was supposed to be an easy day, haul some dirt back to a clearing to level a spot for a deer blind. On about the 3rd trip back, and just into the clearing, thump, and right rear corner droped down to the ground. Wheel was on an axle, and no the lug nuts did not just come off. They were all there and tight. Got off the tractor and saw the remaing shaft in the outer bearing sheared off and fluid running out the shaft hole. Was able to release the latch on the backhoe and drop it back to the ground and also get the out rigger down. By this time, very little hydraulic preesure left in the system. Shut the engine down. Went back to the house to get some jack stands and the 4ft tall farm jack on the other tractor and went back out. Also brought cribbing. Was able to lift it up on the backhoe frame and get the stands undet on some 2x's.

Left till this morning, and called local dealer. Described the situation to the service write up person. Told them which part number the axle shaft was. They agreed and added some other items, ie bearing, seals, to the estimate and pick up and delivery and repair labor to fix. I said today was nice, rest of week rain was forecasted. All morning their phone has been off the hook from all problems that were created on a long weekend by the visiting weekend warriors. They couldn't tell me when they could pickup but the driver would call for directions.

Now the wife and I had to open the trail large enough for their rollback with my tractor on it. About 2pm, driver called and said he had a delivery in my area and would come by afterwards to load mine.

He arrived by 3:30pm and by 4:30pm he was pulling out of the clearing. So now I wait. Jon

View attachment 4015088View attachment 4015089View attachment 4015090

Sorry to hear about your misfortune... Is your cab easily removable
[looks like maybe} What brand is it ?

 

[civilian]

The cab is by Sims/Cab Depot in Canada. This was old new stock someone had. I installed it on my backhoe. When dealer removed it, I was not there to see how they did it. I was told they removed it. But both doors were off for the summer when the axle broke. So when I put the doors back on this fall, I had to make adjusts to get them to fit correctly and to close properly and latch. Jon

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

Jon, just saw this thread. Glad it worked out got you.

Did the dealer have any idea what caused the axle to snap like that?

I was amazed when I saw the pic. A super clear picture sure showed the clean break. I found it shocking to tell the truth.

I will guess the cause was the tire ballast was not removed when the backhoe was on. OP indicated tires were loaded in post #8.

I no longer own my TLB but the manual says for the B26tlb the rear ballast (loaded tires) should be removed when the BH is attached. So maybe a rear end overload situation??

 

[civilian]

Could be. Dealer installed ballast when I bought it used, but have never removed the backhoe. I have no need to remove it. Jon

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

Could be. Dealer installed ballast when I bought it used, but have never removed the backhoe. I have no need to remove it. Jon

will you remove the ballast now or the backhoe to match up with manufacturers weight warnings or going to continue to run with both?

cheers

 

[woody]

Could be. Dealer installed ballast when I bought it used, but have never removed the backhoe. I have no need to remove it. Jon

I've had my B26 for about 10 years give or take and it had loaded tires when I got. I have never unloaded them but I have used the three point hitch a lot bush hogging and such.