4025 broken bh subframe

[CarlV]

Not sure how this happened, but the subframe has sheared in 2 places just above the lower mounts. Is this frame cast iron? Is this reparable, or am i looking at a new subframe. Tractor has 70 hrs on it, and very little backhoe use.

 

[oosik]

I'm not sure where/what I'm looking at, on your tractor pictures, but a couple things are apparent. Nothing in the pics is cast iron and the break has been that way for quite a while. @ 70 hours, is the tractor still under warrantee.

Most everything is repairable - the question is: what caused the break at that point. Figure that out and you then have the answer to not having it happen again.

 

[CarlV]

Not sure how this happened, but the subframe has sheared in 2 places just above the lower mounts. Is this frame cast iron? Is this reparable, or am i looking at a new subframe. Tractor has 70 hrs on it, and very little backhoe use.

This is the "j" that the backhoe sits on, on the subframe. just below where the backhoe pins go. This is the right side, but the left side is broke in exactly the same place. Tractor is still under warranty, just waiting on the dealer to open to give them a call. I bought the tractor new 2 years. Thanks for the time

Carl

 

[Navasot]

If it was one of the first ones I believe there was a campaign on the subframe mounts for that BH86... the new ones wont have this issue... could be wrong depends on the time is was released

 

[CarlV]

Just got back from the dealership, cause of failure- abuse. A few months out of warranty. $2000.00 plus tax for a new subframe and told me the break was not repairable.

 

[Navasot]

Ouch!

 

[CarlV]

Navasot, what do you mean by campaign?

 

[Navasot]

its like a recall but it would have loaded up in the system when they ran the numbers if your tractor was under it

 

[CarlV]

k, thanks

 

[Navasot]

Have you been trying to walk the tractor with the backhoe?

 

[jb1390]

Just got back from the dealership, cause of failure- abuse. A few months out of warranty. $2000.00 plus tax for a new subframe and told me the break was not repairable.

That break is an easy repair. I'd have that back together in an hour at most.

That being said, I would push back on the abuse bit. To me, it looks like that weld is undercut - which caused the part to be thinner than designed, and created a stress concentration. That is where the crack started.

Do you have a picture you can post of the other side?

 

[oosik]

I think there is a dealership that would rather sell a new subframe than suggest a logical repair.

 

[CincyFlyer]

Have you been trying to walk the tractor with the backhoe?

Or use side force on the bucket ... that'll cause some damage.

 

[CarlV]

That break is an easy repair. I'd have that back together in an hour at most.

That being said, I would push back on the abuse bit. To me, it looks like that weld is undercut - which caused the part to be thinner than designed, and created a stress concentration. That is where the crack started.

Do you have a picture you can post of the other side?

No, have never tried to walk the bh. The backhoe has seen very little use. Here is a pic of the left side.

 

[jb1390]

No, have never tried to walk the bh. The backhoe has seen very little use. Here is a pic of the left side.

Based on picture of the 2nd side the biggest issue is poor design and insufficient material at the point of highest bend stress.

If you do not weld, or do not have a friend that does - I would get someone to repair that and reinforce that area while they are there. I'd need to see how the backhoe interfaces there to be able to figure out the best way to reinforce it. Any decent welder should be able to fix that and make it much stronger without much trouble.

That break is not caused by sideways force or abuse in my opinion. Just poor design.

 

[swampy6]

Not sure how this happened, but the subframe has sheared in 2 places just above the lower mounts. Is this frame cast iron? Is this reparable, or am i looking at a new subframe. Tractor has 70 hrs on it, and very little backhoe use.

We have the 4540 with the backhoe hookup, I'll check ours after seeing this.

I hope they can take care of you.

 

[bmohr1954]

This frame usually breaks if the upper bolts are allowed to get loose which transfers all the stress to the lower mount. Check I'd bet a cold beer the bolts are loose. By the way do not jack up the tractor and dig with the tires off the ground, that compounds the issue quick attach hoes are not meant to be used the same way as integral frame units (Case 580M)

 

[rustyshakelford]

This frame usually breaks if the upper bolts are allowed to get loose which transfers all the stress to the lower mount. Check I'd bet a cold beer the bolts are loose. By the way do not jack up the tractor and dig with the tires off the ground, that compounds the issue quick attach hoes are not meant to be used the same way as integral frame units (Case 580M)

That's a crappy design then. Leaving the wheels on the ground is creating an unstable enviroment. Never understood the desire for these little units. Use them much at all something always breaks or they dry rot in a field

Hope they stand up for their product or I wouldn't spend another sent with Mahindra

Brett

 

[mbohuntr]

Just got back from the dealership, cause of failure- abuse. A few months out of warranty. $2000.00 plus tax for a new subframe and told me the break was not repairable.

Horse manure! I am/was a welder. Certs and all. There is no twisting or distortion in those parts, so it is an easy weld. I'd even put reinforcing plates on the sides to guarantee it for life!
Less than 8 hours work, and I'd charge less than a grand, prolly $600.

Whats wrong with those people! simple plate steel...

 

[Rock Crawler]

I would get in there and bevel grind it so that I could layer in a full penetration weld, grind the final crown smooth and plate it like mbowhuntr mentions and move on with life. You will absolutely need to plate it because of embrittlement that will leave the steel within 1" of that weld weaker than it was before. Adding plate will compensate you for that material change and put you to the correct side of material strength. But the bad design will remain as you are necked down just above the lower pin rests and the backhoe top pins push and pull on the top pins, placing all of the leverage and stress exactly in that weak thin area. I know it's not practical, but stress relieving that area after the full pen weld placement would be a real help. I would fix it, paint it, sell it and never look at a Mahindra again. If your backhoe use is frequent you'll likely revisit this again. You can not add material to the rear to really strengthen that member where it needs additional material because it has to have room for the lower pins to set down in. Plating the sides is a bandaid. The necking down is what creates the problem because that is the axis where your placing your major stress during pushing/pulling with your hoe.

What a sad and pitiful design.

Looking at the design, it broke right where it was designed to. That is a piss poor design. Have I mentioned how much disdain I hold for Mahindra?