Hydro to CVT?

[jk96]

I learned something new today. This tractor is fast. Much faster than my 45. My house and business are about 4 miles apart and most of the time I drive between the two instead of hauling. It runs right at 20 mph on the road where my 45 ran about 15 and makes the trip a little quicker.

I also found out that when running at 20 mph with the cruise on it is easy to throw the tractor in reverse when you are used to the turn signal being where the forward reverse lever is. When you do this the 55 CVT will come to a stop in about 2.5 seconds or less and immediately begin moving in reverse. It will throw your coffee cup out of the worthless cup holder I mentioned earlier all over the front of the cab, all while seemingly doing no damage to the transmission.

 

[jk96]

I promised to update anything new on the tractor good or bad so here's the bad. Tractor is in the shop for repair of the front axle pinion gear. Expecting to get it back next week. I was using the grapple and pulling in reverse trying to drag some large logs out of the timber when I heard it pop. It was a very large and heavy piece of wood that I was pulling out. After diagnosis the dealer said that CNH wanted to know if I was pulling in reverse when the failure happened. Apparently they have had several failures of the pinion gear on these tractors almost all have been in reverse. Dealer says that hard pulling in reverse is creating an overload leading to failure.

Here's the part that has me concerned. In further discussion with the dealer about the problem and failure at only 20 hours he suggested that I keep in mind the known problem in reverse and try not to work the tractor very hard if going backward. This is not an acceptable solution to me on a new tractor. There are a lot of times when heavy reverse operation is a necessity. I have asked for the dealer to check on further clarification from CNH and if they are working on any type of fix for this issue. I'll update when I know more.

 

[TSO]

Sorry to hear that, and I agree that it is unacceptable. What happens every time you load the front bucket full of material and drive in Reverse? Are you putting too much stress on the front axle every time you use it in such a way? I hope they fix your machine quickly and give you a better resolution than to tell you not to use it.

Maybe you can trade it in on one of the newer LS NH Hydro machines, I don't think those have had any front axle issues yet.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I'm not terrible surprised something in the front end broke, pulling like that, especially if you was doing any jerking...

In my world of growing up with/on tractors, I was always told that it's NOT a good idea to pull HARD in reverse with any MFWD tractor... In fact, I don't do it with my 4WD trucks either...

IF, I'm pulling something in "reverse", I put it in a low reverse gear and let the clutch out slowly...NO jerking. If that doesn't do it, it's time to turn the tractor around.

SR

 

[jk96]

I'm not terrible surprised something in the front end broke, pulling like that, especially if you was doing any jerking...

In my world of growing up with/on tractors, I was always told that it's NOT a good idea to pull HARD in reverse with any MFWD tractor... In fact, I don't do it with my 4WD trucks either...

IF, I'm pulling something in "reverse", I put it in a low reverse gear and let the clutch out slowly...NO jerking. If that doesn't do it, it's time to turn the tractor around.

SR

I was clamped on the timber with my grapple so only power being applied was direct from the engine. I wasn't hooked to it with a chain or rope where I could see a lot of added torque being added if I were trying to yank it out. Given the way I worked my Case 45 for 1200 hours without issue doing much more than this it surprised me how easily it broke. Also the fact that CNH asked the dealer specifically if it happened in reverse tells me they are seeing more failures than they should doesn't it? Anyone think I'm asking more out of the tractor than should be expected? I didn't see anything I was doing as being out of line with normal tractor duties.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I'm not saying you are completely at fault, I am saying you CAN expect to break something in the front if you are too rough with it.

Front ends, especially front ring and pinions, are NOT nearly as strong as the rears, used HARD in reverse, and you get's LOT'S of stress and something WILL break.

SR

 

[jk96]

I'm not saying you are completely at fault, I am saying you CAN expect to break something in the front if you are too rough with it.

Front ends, especially front ring and pinions, are NOT nearly as strong as the rears, used HARD in reverse, and you get's LOT'S of stress and something WILL break.

SR

I understand your point about increased load in reverse, I would just think that if the tractor has the power to move it in reverse it should be made strong enough to meet the demand placed on it.

 

[jk96]

They are tearing into the tractor today. Should know more soon.

 

[TSO]

I do that type of stuff regularly with my machine, I do not think you are working it too hard.

 

[MHarryE]

I think of how hard my CUT gets loaded at the front axle driving in reverse and it's normally the highest load. Loader work, into a pile, lift while backing, it's almost all front wheel load. Front wheels disengaged the rears just spin. Can't say I haven't had problems because the front drive output shaft seal at the transmission started leaking at 900 hours, a not too uncommon failure for Grand L 40 series I'm told, but never would expect a front pinion failure as this is so much of a typical CUT's life. Even so with my larger tractor - moving large bales. Drive forward, spear, lift, shuttle shift to reverse with no clutch used. High load on front pinion, tractor expected to handle it.