3020 crankshaft end play

1 holistic · Dec 6, 2014

I have a 1969 JD 3020 gas. I love the little thing and use it most every day. I began noticing a different sound to the hydraulic pump. It sounds more normal when using the hydraulics, but there is a loose sounding rattle when the pump is standing down, not being used. While checking around for trouble with the coupler from the crank to the hyd pump, I was able to pry the crankshaft back and forth about 1/4 inch. I don't know how serious the end play is, and if it is causing the noise coming from the hydraulic pump. Someone suggested that the thrust bearing on the three part main has slid out and that is why there is end play. Anybody have some info on this?

Zebrafive · Dec 7, 2014

John Deere parts shows several configurations for the main thrust depending on your tractor's serial number. 1/4" end play is not good

RickB · Dec 7, 2014

Zebrafive said:
View attachment 401578John Deere parts shows several configurations for the main thrust depending on your tractor's serial number. 1/4" end play is not good

For certain.

1 holistic · Dec 7, 2014

serial number ends 076157R. about 1300 hrs ago the engine was completely redone, sleeves, pistons, bearings, and I found a standard crankshaft at a wreckers because mine was in bad shape. Guess the only thing is to get the pan off and see what's going on. Hard to do without it though!

whis · Dec 8, 2014

are you sure its not the hyd pump coupler

1 holistic · Dec 8, 2014

I can't say it's not involved, and so I will need to uncouple the hyd pump and run the engine on its own. The end play is definitely there in the crankshaft, so that is a problem in itself. The change in the sound of the tractor really appears to come from the pump area, but I can't say if that is because there are two problems, ie end play in the crank, and a coupler problem, or if the end play in the engine is causing the crankshaft to push or pull on the coupler and causing noise from that, or a third option may just be sound transfer from one part to another. Have to eliminate one thing at a time, I guess.

SandburRanch · Dec 8, 2014

I would not run that engine until the end thrust problem is resolved. That engine wasn't done correctly at overhaul. I'm just guessing from experience of other engines that end play on a 3020 should be less than 0.010".