Engine Vibration

[CentralNC]

It seems that my TC35A has developed an engine vibration. It is most pronounced between 1500 and 2000 rpm. Has anyone ever had this type of problem before?

 

[shade tree welder]

Can you provide more information. Is it happening with the tractor at rest and the parking brake applied? Is/are the PTO's off? How many hours on tractor? Any other symptoms?

 

[CentralNC]

I am sorry that I didn't give more details. The tractor is fine while parked and idling. I just noticed the vibration a few days ago when driving around my property. It is a funny harmonic vibration that occurs most noticably between 1500 and 2k rpm. If I rev the engine above 2000 the vibration is greatly reduced. The pto was not engaged when I noticed the vibration. I have not had any attachments on it recently that used the pto.

It is a TC35A with about 280 hours on it. It has been a very good, reliable tractor so far.

I might try revving the tractor up tomorrow without it moving to see if it is engine vs. driveline vibration. I might try engaging the pto as well to see what happens.

It is not a violent vibration, but I definitely noticed it.

 

[Eagleview]

Have you got a loader on it ? If yes , I would check for cracks or loose bolts around the bell housing .

 

[CentralNC]

It does have a FEL. I will check the bell housing. I hope it is a loose bolt and not a crack!!!

My 2 year old son found a bolt in the area I have been clearing to build our house. It looked like on of the bolts that holds the FEL onto the frame, but I could not find a bolt-hole that was missing a bolt. I will crawl up under it with a flashlight when I get home today.

thanks.

 

[TO_Bud]

Central, my TC40D has what I will call a driveline shutter when I'm driving down the road to fuel up. Kind of a harmonic rhythm while rolling. I believe it is just a symptom of the tires rolling on the concrete, I don't feel it unless I'm on the pavement. It has done it since I've owned it (1999) and I haven't had further problems.

 

[jinman]

Check your subframe mount for evidence of loose bolts and also your front axle mount. Very early in my tractor's life, the front axle bolts where it attaches to the tractor frame loosened up.

So is the vibration present when you are sitting still and rev the engine? If not, check also your wheel bolts on all four wheels. Also, see if the vibration remains when you press the clutch and coast while allowing the engine rpm to drop. If it does continue, it's a drivetrain vibration rather than an engine vibration.

Look at the front of the engine at the pulleys and fan belt. If the fan belt has deteriorated or been damaged, it might be causing a vibration. Look also at your harmonic balancer area and make sure all is tight.

 

[jimmysisson]

I'd also photograph anything loose in case you need to prove/remember what you found. You might be into something bigger than it first appears.
Jim

 

[Travelover]

I'd check anything bolted to the engine for looseness, including the alternator, bellhousing etc.

 

[IH3444]

Flywheel to crankshaft bolts could have become loose. This sounds like a classic case of that. Exhaust all other possibilities before splitting the tractor to check flywheel bolts. Another cause could be a broken crankshaft. Inclusion flaw in casting, or lugging the tractor down too often, and for extended periods. Sit in seat, rev tractor up until it vibrates, depress clutch pedal, if vibration is reduced, or disappears, then it is a possible broken crank, or loose flywheel. Check everything else as others have mentioned.