Another Drive-shaft/Input shaft problem

[Gregster613]

Hi all,
Well, I thought all along that I was safe from the drive-shaft problems as I had an 2009 model. Hast-La-Vista to to that thought!!

450 hours; I'm doing an oil change, & plan to grease the input shaft as always - I'm laying down under tractor and "really looking" at my shaft and I realize there are "no" U-joints -- [like others have posted pictures of] ...Since I had zerk fittings and was greasing it; I always thought of it as the newest style. Wrong on me!!!.....

I was put-zing around with a rag to clean off the zerks when I realized it [the whole shaft] was sliding approx an inch forward and backward....I'm thinking WTH...this isn't right!! I go research/look on the computer and "Hola" I wake up to the fact that I've still the old style - "Break-prone" shaft. I received possession of my tractor in June of 2009.........

So......Perhaps......Who Actually Knows???......Or will Ever truthfully know??......

TYM Tractors "Said" that the input drive-shaft modification/change actually happened??? in "early" 2009????? And, if so, why was there not a "re-call" to ALL 273 owners as there is with an automobile??? After all, we pay as much for a tractor as an automobile. Why are we treated differently?? Are we "less" than others?? What's up with that?? I'm bummed now and I sincerely hope that I can locate a replacement part??!! I've already sent an email to Smiths Enterprise as they were able to obtain a shaft for Bud Soda and I hope they can do the same for me.

The dealer I bought from died, and now my closest dealer is 200 miles away; so I'm on my own for obtaining and repairing my own equipment. Besides the simple fact of being able to "RELY" upon an unknown dealer/factor in the equation - I'm certainly uneasy. If I get nowhere with Smiths, I'll continue to try other on-line dealers; someone has got to have or can get a modernized drive-shaft [Part # 1318-210-210-0]. If not, perhaps TYM Tractors can connect me with someone who can provide assistance/parts???

Thanks for listening to my rant/woes.... Greg

I forgot to ask a question - - Are there any dealers on the West Coast whom frequent this board? If so, do you happen to have the part in question? Or at least can get it? That's [part # 1318-210-210-0] If so, please send me a PM and I'll gladly buy it from you "Promptly"! Thanks!

 

[Bud Soda]

Yes I would change the shaft before trouble starts. The new shaft has no zerks. But my old shaft didn't either. When I bought my tractor in 2007 it was a 2006 year model. Maybe you have an 08 or earlier model. Tym should be able to drop ship you a shaft. Best thing to do is call Smith's and talk to the parts guy. Good luck with it.

 

[myyaz33]

Greg, Part of my reason for posting a few months back on the same topic was to bring the issue up again and help inform those that were unaware and encourage them to take action in whatever form they could.

Basically what I was told is that no re-calls are done unless it is for safety reasons and most tractor manufacturers follow this methodology. My personal belief in this situation, is that something more proactive should have been done by TYM as the design is absolutely mis-engineered. Basically I think the part should have been replaced on every older model without cost regardless of warranty. The only way I can see that the driveshaft will not fail on the older design is when the tractor just sits in someones garage and is not used.

If you are still under warranty you might be able to find a good dealer online that will swap out the part for you. I think you started looking in the right place with Smith, Ent. as they are close the the distributor. I had a terrible time getting the new part in and I was buying it outright without warranty, so I wish you luck. If you have any questions, let us know. There are quite a few of us affected TYM customers on the board that will be happy to answer. I would not hold your breath on getting a response from TYM Tractors on this particular topic.

 

[Gregster613]

I've been browsing threads and have a question for member ZKF14837, are you a TYM dealer? I read in a replacement battery thread 2-20-14; you talked about the new design drive-shaft between the HST & engine - that's the input shaft. Do you have on hand - or access to acquiring - part # 1318-210-210-0??

Please tell me yes - I cannot locate any TYM dealers west of the Mississippi! I can not believe it, but they all seem to have evaporated into smoke! The TYM website just blinks and says no dealers close to you every-time I try to locate a dealer. Very frustrating. I have a very solid tractor - have had it for 5 years - 450 faithful hours of use but now when I'd like to PURCHASE a replacement part - ZERO dealers are to be found.

Btown, I will try to contact the dealer in Springfield Ma. that you mentioned. Springfield Truck & Auto. I hope they are still in business and are willing to help a TYM family man out.

If not, I'm about to look into drive-shaft shops locally and see about just getting one made. I've got a picture and my old pieces - it shouldn't be that hard? Maybe even less costly? I won't hold my breath on that thought but - Maybe? - Mine is not broken like myyaz33's was but once I take the old one off then my tractor is dead on land. I've got several bucketful loads of wood chips to move into place for the wifes garden design first - so I'm gonna load if extremely full of grease and get them moved and then continue on with this troublesome problem of not being able to purchase a "designated replacement part."

I've even sent TYM Tractors a PM asking for assistance/guidance - to hear absolutely nothing but dead silence. I don't want to think/believe that this is a sign of a large corporation that's in good health?? But, I just don't know. On the west coast at least - there is no sight, sound, or showing of dealerships. I just don't know what to think. Greg

 

[Bud Soda]

Any dealer you order if from is going to have it drop shipped from here in NC. So go ahead and give Smith's a call. All he needs is a credit card to place the order with TYM.He his close to the plant and does a lot of business with them. I got my shaft a week after I ordered it and I am 30 miles from TYM so it will probably take a few weeks to get one. If all else fails let me know and I will get another shaft and ship it to you.

 

[Btown]

There is also Big Red's Equipment in Texas

Big Red's Equipment
Phone: (888)499-6212
Fax: (817)573-6762

Springfield Truck and Auto still sells them. Drove by a couple months ago. I'm sure they will have their booth at the Big E again this year. Wonder if they will have any tier IV stuff there.

 

[Btown]

That number is 888. I guess if u put a 8 and a ) next to each other it makes a 8)

 

[myyaz33]

Miller Repair in Maxwell Nebraska is a good dealer and would probably work with you even though they are not an online vendor. (308) 582-4303 , If memory serves, Mike is the guy you would want to talk to. Might be worth a call if you can't get a hold of someone closer.

-Marty

 

[myyaz33]

Greg- Looking at ZKF14837 profile he does appear to be a dealer or at least associated with Zephyr Knoll Farms - Home

 

[CDR]

Zephyr Knolls s closed up shop in May or June. They were my dealer now my nearest dealer is 2+ hours away instead of 5 miles.

 

[Bkjohns]

Gregster - when I got my drive shaft from my dealer he told me it was the second fix version, so maybe you have the first fix version? Could be part of the confusion in that they had two fixes (so far).
Good luck.

 

[Gregster613]

Bkjohns, When the drive-shaft issue first came to my attention, I looked "sorta" closely at my shaft and because I had the two zerk grease fittings I "assumed" I had the updated shaft; Wrong assumption for me! After I saw the pieces that Marty took off from his broken shaft - I realized that I had the exact same one! Bummer!

I don't know and haven't heard anything on or about a "first/second" fix version?? I have a replacement shaft (part number referenced earlier) ordered - reportedly - for me by Bud Soda. Thank you much Bud; I haven't heard anything from TYM as of yet, so perhaps the shaft wasn't in the warehouse and has to come from Korea?? If so, that's another bummer but will be dealt with. I am certainly eager to wrap my sweaty hands around a slick new shaft and put any possible future downtime out of my mind.

On a happier note, we have a new TSC store that just opened in Ramona!! Yeah!! The wife and I stopped there yesterday to browse and see what was offered! Man! They have just about anything I'll ever want/need. In fact, I'm going to go buy a King Cutter 5' tiller next week. I won't use it until I get my shaft replaced but I'll have it sitting & waiting. So I'm certainly eager to acquire that replacement shaft. Greg

 

[Bud Soda]

It's been a week today. If you don't see it by Friday let me know and I will call Tony. Mine took a little over a week after Tony placed the order and I am only 30 miles from TYM in Wilson. It is probably going to take twice as long to get to CA.

Bkjohns, When the drive-shaft issue first came to my attention, I looked "sorta" closely at my shaft and because I had the two zerk grease fittings I "assumed" I had the updated shaft; Wrong assumption for me! After I saw the pieces that Marty took off from his broken shaft - I realized that I had the exact same one! Bummer!

I don't know and haven't heard anything on or about a "first/second" fix version?? I have a replacement shaft (part number referenced earlier) ordered - reportedly - for me by Bud Soda. Thank you much Bud; I haven't heard anything from TYM as of yet, so perhaps the shaft wasn't in the warehouse and has to come from Korea?? If so, that's another bummer but will be dealt with. I am certainly eager to wrap my sweaty hands around a slick new shaft and put any possible future downtime out of my mind.

On a happier note, we have a new TSC store that just opened in Ramona!! Yeah!! The wife and I stopped there yesterday to browse and see what was offered! Man! They have just about anything I'll ever want/need. In fact, I'm going to go buy a King Cutter 5' tiller next week. I won't use it until I get my shaft replaced but I'll have it sitting & waiting. So I'm certainly eager to acquire that replacement shaft. Greg

 

[myyaz33]

Stay on top of them. Call every 2 days and ask for a tracking number. If you don't get one, you can bet your a?? that it is not in the US.

 

[Gregster613]

Hey Bud,
I hear ya and I wasn't intending to sound overly exasperated because I'm not, yet. I know it will take some time to ship & receive it. I was just up-dating everyone else on the expected repair part [& experienced dealer] finally being located; and that the fix is supposedly in motion! I will be eye-balling the driveway as Friday and Saturday approach though, because I am eager to receive the new and dismantle the old clunker part!
Myyaz33, I hear you too, and after a sufficient waiting time passes I'll start getting more aggressive if I can. Thanks for the advice. Greg

 

[Gregster613]

I wanted to post a note; I did receive a reply from TYM via email on 8-19-14 (Antonia Mason) saying that they had located two dealers in southern Ca whom could help me. Thank you TYM and Antonia Mason, I will reach out to one of them if I get nowhere with my current transaction in the works. I am still attempting to get my shaft through Bud Soda as we had already made arrangements. I was relieved to hear from a TYM representative though, and maybe parts being requested won't transform into a painful experience after all? I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Although it's been two weeks Friday and I have heard silence from the TYM factory in Wilson per shipment information. Bud, I will give you a PM and we can try to figure out what's going on, Okay? Today I went to TSC and purchased a 5' King Cutter tiller, so I'm now going to be anxious to get the tractor up to handling a large PTO load. I have yet to assemble the tiller and am not rushing as family events are happening at same time. But, soon i want to start turning earth! Greg

 

[myyaz33]

Well, any news yet?

 

[Gregster613]

Hi Myyaz33, Yes I have news! I have the shiny new shaft in my hands right now, Thanks very much to Bud Soda for the assist! I am going to try and get it changed out this weekend. But, wife "always" has some additional projects that siphon away time.

Also, I don't want to deal with having a hole in my floorboard - unless - I absolutely need the additional access space. So, I'm going to power wash the entire area underneath by the shaft & Hydro filter, have a bucket close, remove the filter and actually see just how much fluid I will really lose. I'm hoping not much more than what's in the filter itself? I don't know for sure and it appears no-one else does either. Yet. We will all know soon.

I believe that with the filter out of the way I'll have enough room to get the snap rings and bolts off and bolts back on with the new shaft. There are no specific directions with the new shaft, but it looks inter-changeable end for end. Myyaz33, Did you mount it in any particular direction? Or is it a no-matter question? And, are the snap rings as hard to get off as the original Hydro filter was? I hope not. It looks like the ring closet to the engine end will be the most awkward to reach and remove?

I'll find out in a few hours after I assemble some of the wife's new gadgets. Did you re-use the bolts from the old shaft to lock down the new? Or get new bolts? None came with the shaft. I'll get it sooner or later, now that I have a replacement new one I'm happy and not rushed. I'll report on my results as I learn them. Thanks to all, Greg

 

[myyaz33]

Good to hear. I understand not wanting a hole in the floor too. If you park on incline it might help with the loss of fluid. As long as you have a decent pair of angled ring pliers you should have no problem. I really don't think it matters what direction the shaft goes on, but do recall trying to put some thought into it when I did it. I just don't remember which way I went but I will look again and let you know. I didn't have bolts on the old one so I had to scrounge for some bolts. Fortunately I had a couple lying around.. Good luck in your repair.

-Marty

 

[Gregster613]

Well, got it done. New shaft is in and spinning like it should.

Myyaz33 I took your advice, I have several short chunks of railroad tie so I used the loader to jack the front end up, stacked two under each front wheel and lowered it down to sit on them. Worked "perfectly". I just wish I'd thought of that each time I used to crawl under and stretch to grease the old shaft. It sure would have been easier. Duh! on me!

I only lost approx 1/2 qt of fluid - that drained out whilst unscrewing the filter, I shoved a short piece of rag into the threaded opening and it severely held back/soaked up fluid. Sure it dripped a slight bit, but I can live with that. It took me a little under (2) hours to swap it out; most of that time was because I "still" had to cut a hole in the floorboard. I just couldn't see/get to the front motor connection from underneath. Man, it sure is a tight fit in there even with that "tiny" little shaft! I have an approx 1/2" thick plate of steel welded as a cross brace just behind the motor/shaft connection. The new shaft looked like it was going to rub - Man, I was worried. I was able to slip a piece of paper between the shaft and plate. It slid freely, so I assume it will not be rubbing! Whew!

I realized after close inspection that it is in an area that doesn't have feet - or pressure - placed on it much - if at all. I cut a square - as good as I could - approx 6" x 6" and I plan to fabricate some sort of strapping to hold the old piece back in place. But, that's down the road for a later project.

As for now, I should be back in the "safe" operating zone - which is where I want to be! Thanks once again to all who have offered advice, suggestions, and help to assist me in my attempt to remedy a lack of available parts/sources to fix a possible dilemma. Like you all - I just want to operate my tractor when I need it, or want to drive it. Thanks, Greg