1260 back end chatter

philbuilt · Dec 17, 2005

Hi all
I was pushing snow this last storm and the tractor started to
chatter. I can see anything loose, but I did notice that it did it only when there was loose snow under the back tires. Could it be a gear deferance between the front and bach tire? It is locked into 4x4. This tractor is nise and I want to keep it that way so any info would help.
Thank in advance
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
MF 1260, FEL, Tiller, 6' box grader, 6' koti mower

hernando · Dec 18, 2005

Hi Philbuilt I had a 1250 a few yrs ago..sounds like the same thing my did ...took a while to find it ,,, the dealer finally took the transmission apart ...we found a bearing bad ..cheep part ..lots of labor... hope yours is a simply fix..bruce

JerryG · Dec 18, 2005

<font color="blue"> Could it be a gear deferance between the front and bach tire? </font>
Does it do it in 2wd?

philbuilt · Dec 18, 2005

Sorry about the typo's keyboards are not my thing. It only seems to do it in the snow. I did not try it in 2 wd. Alway fearing to get stuck. The tractor only has 170 hrs. I would like to think it not serious. I will try the 2wd.
Thanks again. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

JerryG · Dec 18, 2005

I would try it out and see if it did it all the time. How long have you had the tractor?

Syncro · Dec 18, 2005

4WD puts a lot of strain on the entire gear train unless there is ample slippage, eg slippery surface like ice, snow, loose dirt etc. When the front wheels are turned the stress is even greater, that may be a clue. I never use 4WD unless its absolutely necessary and I feel comfortable that both sets of wheels are able to relieve strain through wheel slippage. Its a great traction device but it can also do a lot of damage if not used correctly. I'm not saying you necessarily did any damage, and as Jerry said, see it the noise is present in 2WD, all will give you clues where to look.

philbuilt · Dec 20, 2005

Well I tried it in 2wd and no chatter. Maybe it's just a fluke! I hope. Thanks for the info, I will keep you all informed if any changes. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jeepcj7 · Dec 21, 2005

Check your front axle lead ratio. Put the tractor on loose ground (not concrete) and mark the front and rear tire at the ground. Put the tractor in 2 wd and count how many times the front wheel turns for 10 revolutions of the rear wheel. Repeat the process again in 4wd. The front wheel should turn more in 4wd. Example: in 2wd front wheel turns 16.0 times, in 4wd front wheel turns 16.2 times so the lead ratio is 16.2/16.0 - 1 = .012 or 1.2%. Ideally front axle lead ratio should be 1 - 5%. Incorrect tire sizes, tire wear or incorrect tire pressue can all affect front axle lead ratio.

JerryG · Dec 21, 2005

Phil,
Just another thought. Most FWD tractors make more noise when the front axle is engaged. On the ratio thing, what size tires do you have?

philbuilt · Dec 21, 2005

Tire size front 8-16 R1 Back 12-24 R1. I looked in my book and it said that I should have 13.6-24 R1 Rear. Is that a problem? I bought this tractor on a private sale in a very pristine condition with only 80 hrs. and garaged no winter use. The guy used the FEL to tansport firewood from back yard to the house in the fall. The bucket was still new looking and the tractor had only 80hrs. with 4.5 years of use. I also have the maintance records ALL SERIVE @ the dealer IE yearly fuid changes. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

JerryG · Dec 21, 2005

That may be a lot of your problem. This tractor was to have 13.6/24 on the rear and 8/16 on the front. By putting a smaller tire on the back they are causing the front to wind up and that is forcing the front to drag the rear.

5030 · Dec 21, 2005

Jerry:

You are right, his lead/drag ratio is wrong for sure. Wonder if that's why the other owner parted with it...maybe he thought it was an internal problem. I wonder how much visible wear there is on the tires, especially in the crown area??

With 80 hours on the tractor, it obviously came from the dealer mis-matched.....strange /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

JerryG · Dec 21, 2005

If that is all the hours that is on the tractor and it wasn't used for much more than the owner posted, I don't think that anything will be damaged. I would change the tires as soon as possible. The MF 1250 and the MF 1260 had the same gears. Given this you could either put 7-16 on the front or change to 13.6-24 on the back. Changing the front would be the least expensive.

jeepcj7 · Dec 22, 2005

The correct tire match is 7-16 front with 12.4-24 rear or 8-16 front with 13.6-24 rear. Rolling circumfrences are different between these tire so be careful if you intermix. If difference is negligable you might be able to compensate with air pressure. Suggest you contact tire dealer that carries brand of tires on your tractor and have him compare rolling circumferences.

philbuilt · Dec 22, 2005

Ok I looked at the tires again here is what they say.
Firestone all traction feild and road 13.6-24 ,next line " on 12" Rim" next line " 12-24 " So I measured the rim and it is 12" from outside to outside. So is the tire 13.6-24 or 12-24? The tractor now has about 170 hrs. I have a lot of fun on this machine and want to take care of it. The original invoice for this tractor dated aug.00 had a price of $1360.00 for these tires above the trctor cost. There is little wear on the back tire and the front. I did notice that the left back tire looks low but, air pressure is equal to the other side 9 lbs. with calcium.
Thanks for the info

spb1971 · Dec 22, 2005

You have 13.6-24 tires so that is the correct setup. Check your air pressure.

JerryG · Dec 22, 2005

As spb1971 said, check you air pressure. It is amazing how much the wrong air pressure can change the way a FWA tractor operates.

5030 · Dec 22, 2005

He also has CaCl in the tires so he needs to make sure he has an equal amount in each.....I think. I never load tires. If you rupture a loaded tire in a hayfield, the spot where the CaCl winds up will never produce and alfalfa again.

philbuilt · Jan 23, 2006

Hi All,
Tractor update, I've adjusted the tire pressures per the book and that seemed to fix the chatter. We just got 8" of heavy snow and I pushed it and pulled it with box grader and no chatter. 2 more hrs. seat time /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif let it snow /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif so thanks for all the help.
Phil

JerryG · Jan 23, 2006

It's amazing what a little air in the right place will do. If the pressure is off front to back it will also make it harder to shift into and out of 4wd.