Hello! My drive shaft keeps shearing the split rolled pin (about one a year) on the front wheel drive shaft. I read a similar post and the gentleman simply replaced it with a bolt. Would this work or would I need to have the protection of a sheer pin? Thanks! Brad
front wheel drive problem
- Thread starter maddog69
- Start date
- Views: 14135
chucko
Veteran Member
Are you keeping it in 4wd all the time and/or on hard ground?
oldnslo
Super Member
The shear pin is there for a reason. the weakest link breaks first. Install a hard bolt and what is the weakest link now? Gears, u-joints, etc..
rlsmith
Bronze Member
Shearing that pin once a year is not normal, on my BX23 with over 1200 hours I have sheared only one and just found the spline shaft was dry and dirty so cleaned and lube replace with new shear pin. I would not chance breaking the shaft with a bolt.
All that pin is doing is keeping the universal joint on the spline. Have you taken it off and checked the joint for cracks or maybe even warn out bearings. Is the right size roll pin being used or like me make sure the shaft slides easily. Have you lifted the front end up and checked it in four wheel drive by spinning the wheels by hand while moving the front end to see if you can hear or see any thing wrong.
All that pin is doing is keeping the universal joint on the spline. Have you taken it off and checked the joint for cracks or maybe even warn out bearings. Is the right size roll pin being used or like me make sure the shaft slides easily. Have you lifted the front end up and checked it in four wheel drive by spinning the wheels by hand while moving the front end to see if you can hear or see any thing wrong.
OP
maddog69
Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2011
- Messages
- 42
- Tractor
- Kubota BX 2200 in Pa. Kubota Bx 1870 Fl.
I do keep the tractor in 4 wheel drive ALL the time as I never take my loader off and I'm in the woods a lot. The shaft is dry, guess I will grease it and hope it makes a difference. I use my loader all the time and I think every time I broke one I was digging in gravel........Thanks for the responses!
chucko
Veteran Member
Is there a reason you keep it in 4wd all the time? 4x4 will have you problems if run on hard/dry areas. Something has to give
k0ua
Epic Contributor
you might consider more ballast on the 3pt when doing loader work. Many threads on here about using ballast on the rear. for instance I have 750 lbs on my 3pt and fluid loaded tires on the rear. I do use 4wd almost all the time also, but I am on gravel or dirt most of the time. 90% of my work is loader work. But if you are spinning a lot on the rears then you do not have proper ballast on the rear to "unload" or remove weight on the front tires.
James K0UA
You should have a heavy counterweight on the back of the tractor... When I dig in gravel, all four tires will spin. You don't want ONLY the front tires doing all the work...
Also, when I spin all four tires... it's usually because I'm not digging AND lifting at the same time. There is an art to loading up a full bucket...
On Edit... I took one second to pet the dog and James beat me to the punch!!!!
k0ua
Epic Contributor
Teg, do great minds think alike
James K0UA
James K0UA
:thumbsup:Teg, do great minds think alike
James K0UA
Also, just to add... I do lube the front axle, a bunch and I leave mine in 4x4 all the time. (sometime even driving down the road for 4 miles :mur
cannonfodder999
Silver Member
The rest of the saying is "And fools seldom differ".LOLTeg, do great minds think alike
James K0UA
Socratic
New member
Recently sheared one of these on my BX2230. The pin looked to be a .25 roll pin. Picked up a replacement at my local hardware store but am having a **** of a time getting it in (old one came out okay). I hate to beat on it too hard (already have!). Any tricks to getting this roll pin in or do I need to order something special (pin?) from Kubota? Thanks.
oldnslo
Super Member
Not sure on size but being Japanese based would suspect the pin is metric not american size. Would guess it is 6 mm.
5 mm = 0.196 (13/64)
6 mm = 0.236 (15/64)
Ken
Veteran Member
I bought a used L3600 GST and salesmen said only used to Help Grand-Ma across street or some such off hand remark.
The first time to use the little pin broke.
replaced didn't find problem a few hours later the propeller shaft broke and replaced shaft.
The propeller shaft worked around 50 hours when again broke and so removed front end to locate problem.The pinion shaft was chewed up to point was jumping the ring pinion shaft. so all the ground up metal filtered into the side bearings and all parts needed replacement.
But the cause was the center pin the weight of the tractor front sits on. The adjustment screw was gone and so front end wobbled and had wollered out a egg shaped hole big enough to allow the front end to bind when enguaged.
No need to say more since there is only a replacement for the front housing and where the
parts attach to tractor. Something like 600 hours on this Kubota.
There is a grease fitting that is often over looked when servicing.
Know I haven't used proper parts description. But the main reason mentioned when this pin breaks next find the cause. it is very expensive later.
ken
The first time to use the little pin broke.
replaced didn't find problem a few hours later the propeller shaft broke and replaced shaft.
The propeller shaft worked around 50 hours when again broke and so removed front end to locate problem.The pinion shaft was chewed up to point was jumping the ring pinion shaft. so all the ground up metal filtered into the side bearings and all parts needed replacement.
But the cause was the center pin the weight of the tractor front sits on. The adjustment screw was gone and so front end wobbled and had wollered out a egg shaped hole big enough to allow the front end to bind when enguaged.
No need to say more since there is only a replacement for the front housing and where the
parts attach to tractor. Something like 600 hours on this Kubota.
There is a grease fitting that is often over looked when servicing.
Know I haven't used proper parts description. But the main reason mentioned when this pin breaks next find the cause. it is very expensive later.
ken
Socratic
New member
Thanks. I think you are correct - the 6mm would be just about right - and I wouldn't have to crack the drive shaft to get it in!!! Now just need to find one - do I spend the ten bucks on gas to get to my nearest dealer or the ten bucks on postage and order online????? HMMMMMMM. Life is hard sometimes.
chrls
New member
iam 82 ,dont have much energy i got almost same problem the front linkage is ok but i cant get the other end back together the shaft wont slide in maybe a burr also i noticed a hole for the shear pin but there is none and inside the hole i see is something or this end of shaft is to be sliding back and forth. simple job i dont want screw it up was going to use file ,or knife or sandpaper in the slots on universals thank you
Maybe someone already mentioned, it's a good idea to use rear weight if using FWD with FEL, too much stress on front drive; and shaft coupler or shear pins will break.
i have put about 200 hours on a kubota bx2200 and atleast 4 pins or bolts in the coupling.
it sheared again this weekend so probably on fifth or so. i have looked at it cleaned it greased
and so on, not sure if something else is causing issue. use 4wd about 50 percent of time.
