Blew the front diff on my RIO 36 HST (equivalent to a G3033 ?)

[SGTractor]

Bad day yesterday, was moving dirt when suddenly I noticed the rear wheel were slipping when pushing the shovel into the dirt, clearly no more traction on the front axle..
Used the front end loader to left the front axel off the ground with the tractor in 2x4 and when turning the front driveshaft the front wheels didn't turn.

So today was disassembly day, dropped of the right wheel and the right wheel casing so I could slide out the differential and as I feared the 6 M8 bolts (class 10.9) holding the differential gear have sheared off.
I have a friend who is going to remove the broken bolt from the diff at his firm (using electro erosion drilling) but I don't know if the differential case is salvageable because I'm afraid that the gear might have damaged it's seat when it freewheeled, the fit feel like it has radial play which is pissing me off because the gear are pristine otherwise

There should be 6 bolt on the diff in the cardboard box... I found all 6 fragments in the front axle case

IMO it's kind of a weak conception, the radius of the 6 bolts is small and they were clearly full thread bolts

It's also very hard to find parts for this tractor in France since the prior importer went bankrupt and the new importer seem more interested in seeling new tractors than maintaining a supply chain for old tractors sold by the previous dealer.

 

[ptsg]

The way I see it and it has happened to a lot of people with South Korean tractors from all kinds of manufacturers since they share similar front axle design across them, is that the bolts act as a mechanical fuse. If the bolts didn't break off, then you would most likely be looking for the entire diff, which is a lot more expensive than 6 bolts.

This happens mostly by pushing too hard with the front loader, while putting all the weight on the front axle and having little to no counter weight in the back.

The broken pieces should come out relatively easy since they are not bottoming out on the hole.

 

[SGTractor]

The way I see it and it has happened to a lot of people with South Korean tractors from all kinds of manufacturers since they share similar front axle design across them, is that the bolts act as a mechanical fuse. If the bolts didn't break off, then you would most likely be looking for the entire diff, which is a lot more expensive than 6 bolts.

This happens mostly by pushing too hard with the front loader, while putting all the weight on the front axle and having little to no counter weight in the back.

The broken pieces should come out relatively easy since they are not bottoming out on the hole.

Yes It possible you are correct and this is a "safety feature", and the tractor does do extensive front loader work so it is not surprising the front diff blew.

I was curious if this was just a stroke of bad luck for me or if this was a common issue (like the front axle leaks so many including I have had) I rather wish I had a RIO 40 or 50 as the front axle on those seem "beefier"


I just hope that when the bolts sheared off and the drive gear freewheeled until I realized whatever "shrapnell" was left from the bolt didn't damage the gear mating surface on the diff body, I'll know when I get it back with those broken pieces removed

I'll check for runout after assembly

 

[ptsg]

Loaders are very hard on tractors. Does the bigger RIO models have bigger diffs? That would be nice indeed.

As far as the ring rear slipping on the diff body, being that's everything is covered in oil and runs at relatively low speed, it shouldn't have any wear or damage.

You can also use class 12.9 socket head screws but then again, it may break something else that it a lot more expensive than 6 bolts.