Fractured LS 3039 Frame

[Bentley Meredith]

Anyone know if frame damage like this can be repaired, or is this tractor finished?

 

[Agvg]

How much damage is it? Just frame or more damage to engine, radiator or other components?

 

[Bentley Meredith]

Realize I am no mechanic when I use terminology...I believe when the frame was teewked, it pulled the drive shaft (?) out/away from the front axel/differential. It is not hanging or anything, just looks like it has somewhat separated. Another thing that I know is not right is when you turn one front wheel in say a forward direction, the opposing wheel wants to go the opposite direction. It has to be towed back to the shed backwards, no issue with all 4 wheels going in reverse.

The twisted frame as also bent the fan, the fan belt had come off down in the mud, but I am going to assume when it was extracted from mudd, that is whne the frame was broken, and the fan tweeked so it rubs against the faring(sp)! Have not even tried to put the belt back on. Cleared the exhaust of mudd and tried to start it, fired right up! Only bright spot in the last 10 days!

I guess I am worried that a completely severed frame means junk yard. I know if it can be fixed, it is going to be 1000's, just not sure if the broken frame is a game ender?

 

[mrmikey]

It definitely can be fixed, probably not cheap nor easy, it looks as if it's been broken for awhile, almost looks like cast iron. IMHO it's a verrry poor design, not a question of is it going to break but when..........Mike

 

[Agvg]

The only way to tell is to tear it apart, suppose this frame is bolted to the rear and broke where the front axle is mounted. Are you lucky you can host replace the frame.

 

[PCABE5]

It looks like the engine subframe broke. Pretty much holds the front axle, battery, and radiator assembly and is mounted under your loader mounts. It can be replaced or maybe even repaired but I'd guess it's twisted now.

I agree that it appears to have been broken for awhile.

 

[Bentley Meredith]

It was just broken 2 days ago. Maybe you are confusing mud for rust?

 

[mrmikey]

Maybe mud but the break doesn't look fresh, looks like it's discolored and been that way for awhile....maybe not, just my 2 cents worth........Mike

 

[George2615]

I'd suggest calling your LS dealer to have their mechanic look it over real well for damage other than the frame. They may be able to order a new frame or maybe repair the existing frame. In any case it will take a lot of time to replace or get the broken frame squared up enough to reweld and add extra gussets / plates for strength.

How many hours on it? What is it worth to you as is? Maybe the dealer may offer you a fair trade in price and then repair and sell it himself.

 

[Scook222]

How many hours on on the tractor? If it is low hours, I would definitely fix it. It looks like the frame is a multiple piece design and you could probably replace a piece at a time without having to remove the engine you would probably have to remove the front end loader and put the front in on blocks or jack stands. Blocking it up under the bell housing on the transmission should be fine. If you can find a parts tractor cheap, you should be able to fix it pretty easy. If you get the parts though LS they will probably be more expensive. The part that is cracked on the left side looks like a stress fracture and was weak to begin with. It might be the mud on it but it looks like where it broke wasn’t shiny like a fresh crack. I would also check with a machine shop to fabricate the parts, if you can’t find a parts tractor or LS is too high. When the frame broke it definitely moved the front end further forward and probably sheared bolts to hold it in place. As for the wheels turning opposite of each other, they do that on a 4wd tractor with the front end off the ground. If it is doing it with weight on the front tires it could be because the front end is disconnected just enough to make the spider gears stay locked together. I have done this on a farmall 560 before and had a parts tractor so it didn’t cost anything, it just took a lot of time and patience cleaning up the other front end and cleaning and retapping bolt holes to make sure everything can go back into place. We used big ratchet straps and chains to secure the front end to get it under a barn and moved it really slow. Did you put a chain on the front end to pull it out or was it on the frame, im just trying to figure out how it broke?