2014 BX1870 Steering Frame Broke

[JimBinMI]

I was mowing a couple days ago and noticed my steering wheel was really sloppy, moved up down left right. After some research I was hoping that the bushings were shot. Tore it apart today and find a broken mount, looks like it's a very large part totally. Attaching some pics, has anyone had this problem and how did you solve it? I have a MIG welder.

 

[azbinder]

This is a cast material. Probably aluminum. Not sure how hard it would be to weld them back together. Items 40 & 70.

Kubota BX1870 (4WD TRACTOR W/ FOLDABLE ROPS) Parts Diagrams

Kubota Parts Catalog Lookup. Buy Kubota Parts Online & Save!

www.messicks.com

 

[JimBinMI]

This is a cast material. Probably aluminum. Not sure how hard it would be to weld them back together. Items 40 & 70.

Kubota BX1870 (4WD TRACTOR W/ FOLDABLE ROPS) Parts Diagrams

Kubota Parts Catalog Lookup. Buy Kubota Parts Online & Save!

www.messicks.com

Thanks, I was at Messick's website but couldn't find the correct schematic.

 

[TMGT]

It is a cast aluminum, repairable, but it sound like you might not have the equipment to do the repair.

 

[JWR]

OMG, that is a nasty condition. The labor to get the guts of that tractor apart and get that broken casting out by itself to work on is formidable. That sort of job intimidates me. If I were you (and could do it) I would save a huge labor bill by disassembling the machine and removing the casting. Then go to Kubota and buy a new casting and reinstall it. I would not try to weld or repair it...but that is just one opinion. My guess is that is a VERY rare breakage (how the heck did it happen!?) I'd also by concerned about availability of such a part...

 

[KWentling]

OMG, that is a nasty condition. The labor to get the guts of that tractor apart and get that broken casting out by itself to work on is formidable. That sort of job intimidates me. If I were you (and could do it) I would save a huge labor bill by disassembling the machine and removing the casting. Then go to Kubota and buy a new casting and reinstall it. I would not try to weld or repair it...but that is just one opinion. My guess is that is a VERY rare breakage (how the heck did it happen!?) I'd also by concerned about availability of such a part...

My guess it happens when one uses the steering wheel to pull yourself up on the tractor. My wife does that on our BX22. I've replaced the steering wheel once because of that practice.

 

[azbinder]

Depending on S/N, Messick's have them in stock. $250-$265 for the pair.

 

[panamaguy]

Being a life long welder if you decide to repair them take the parts to a real welding shop. Because welding aluminum is nothing like welding steel and cleanliness this is next to Godliness with aluminum. Plus the shop can weld on a stiffener or fish-plate so that it will be stronger than original because we know it was not strong enough for the job it had to do. It can be Tig welded or if they have a spool gun then aluminum Mig welded.

 

[mx842]

The steering assembly is something I've worried about the whole time I have had my L3301. I keep a woody 4 ac on my property clean and it's rough as a cob. Old stump holes are the worse and you don't see them until one of the front wheels fall into one. There is a lot of old stumps that still have not rotted away and I'm always banging into those as well. The underbrush and briers grow so fast it's hard to see any of this stuff. I try to back into most of the really bad spots but that's hard on my old back. I worked for 3 years with smaller tractors, wore 2 of them completely out before I finally got it cleaned up. Some places were so thick with briers that I would have to pull up to those places turn it up to wide open in first gear and jump off and run around to the other side and jump back on and go in the back side time and time again until I got it to where I could get in there without getting skinned alive by those huge bamboo briers. I used an old Gravely L model for a while but that was a giant pain because one of the wheels was constantly falling into one hole or another even with dual wheels it was a real pain to get it out and going again.

 

[JimBinMI]

Since the two parts were under $300 at my local Kubota dealer I ordered them last week and they were here yesterday. I picked them up yesterday and have been tearing into the BX1870 for hours. I don't mind doing this stuff but some of those nuts have been hard to reach. Thinking I might have to remove the radiator...which I just had out to clean it! Came in the house to get on the computer to see if I could find some manuals/hints how to proceed. At least I have the BX25D that I can mow with until the BX1870 is back together. I bought the BX25D new in 2014, bought the BX1870 used November of 2023.

 

[JimBinMI]

Finally getting to the point where it's going back together. Had to remove the radiator to get to the lowest nuts on the backside by the radiator.

 

[thclimer]

Wow, that looks like a lot of work!

 

[JWR]

JimBinMi -- you are doing a great job of illustrating the things I hope I never have to do...

 

[dodge man]

Yep that looks perfect when you have almost every tool out of the tool box, that means it has to be time for reassembly.

 

[JimBinMI]

Back in business for under $300. Lots of time but feel accomplished.

 

[JimBinMI]

My guess it happens when one uses the steering wheel to pull yourself up on the tractor. My wife does that on our BX22. I've replaced the steering wheel once because of that practice.

Forgot to mention that when I got it apart the power steering pump was missing 1 of the 4 bolts.

 

[azbinder]

Out of curiosity, how long did it take you?

 

[JimBinMI]

Out of curiosity, how long did it take you?

I didn’t keep good track but think I could have done it in 8 hours, 6 now that im trained!