Major structural failure on L4610 - ouch !!

L3710GV · Jun 14, 2004

Kubmech- I remember that post, could'nt find it or the one with the pictures and part #s, have a copy of it scaned it and converted to jpeg but to big to attach- file was /forumfiles/2-107936-toplinkcomposite-2.gif

Anyways nice to see you're still out there, I learned alot from you're imformateve posts /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

kubmech · Jun 14, 2004

Yup, still kickin' around.. Too bad that picture from JM is missing, worth a thousand words.

polecat · Jun 15, 2004

WOW!!!! WAS HE PULLING WITH HOE UP IN THE AIR ???MAYBE I MISREAD SOMETHING...WILL HAVE TO B CAREFUL WITH MY ISEKI...!!!! and always try to pull low too!!! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

rbargeron · Jun 16, 2004

Kubmech - I've been talking to the owner - he is wondering about temporarily epoxying the broken section back in place - it would not be a structural repair but would keep the oil in and the dirt out. He'd leave the rockshaft out and plug the holes. The question is if the rockshaft ram is now extended (out of it's bore) will the tractor function provided the touch lever is in the down position? He understands there will be no 3-ph function at all - but is hoping to have the use of his FEL until he can arrange for the repairs. BTW the trans is HST.

kubmech · Jun 16, 2004

As long as the lever stays in the down position and he's sure there is no pieces parts floating around in the bottom of the housing waiting to be picked up and chewed up by the ring gear he should be o.k. Remove the piston because that will most likely work its way out as well. With the piston removed, even if the lever is moved it would just dump fluid back in to the trans and not cause a problem. The rops and the backhoe subframe will be degraded some due to the stiffener missing.

rbargeron · Jun 17, 2004

Thanks for responding - if the oil is drained it should be possible to see whether any chunks are in the bottom of the rear case. It's pretty open in there because the differential is up high.

kubmech · Jun 17, 2004

Judging from the pictures there shouldn't be much floating around in there, but you can't be too careful................

rbargeron · Jun 19, 2004

The owner trailered the machine to my place - I'll help him close up the wound temporarily. Thanks for your comments - I'll post here with what we find after draining the oil. I don't have a L4610 manual - how much fluid do these have? I took out the ram - it was jammed a bit but using a wooden block and a hammer I freed it.

L3710GV · Jun 20, 2004

Something like 12 gallons, you might try one of those flexable magnets to check for any lost metal below the ring gear. Also JB weld should hold, or even better silver solder.

The position control lever should be disabled to.

rbargeron · Jun 21, 2004

Thanks for the magnet idea and oil capacity. I hope the HST has a fine mesh pickup screen. Are there magnetic drain plugs on this model? Silicone adhesive sealant should keep the oil in and the dirt out, and be readily removable in case someone needs to look at the break.

Silver solder, nickel welding, brazing etc. are all being suggested as possible repairs. After the hole is covered up, I don't know what the owner will decide to do next. Personally I don't believe broken grey iron castings can ever be made strong again. Maybe 25% - 50% strength can be restored, but in this case that's not useful. The first good tug on the top link would pull it apart again.

L3710GV · Jun 22, 2004

Not sure if drain plugs are magnetic- there is a large magnet in the hydraulic oil filter

Also you can save $8 by ordering the filter without the magnet, and remove and reuse the magnet off the old one, It's a round piece right on the end of the filter. Hey thats $8 towards the real big parts he needs /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif If you need the part# for that filter let me know

grandad · Jun 22, 2004

Tranny capacity is the same as for the other L10 series... 41.2 quarts, or 10.2 gal. Also, there is a fine mesh filter on the end of a suction line going into the right side of the transmission that's a bear to locate and remove on the 4610. On mine, you can get it out just far enough to flush it with some spray solvent, but it won't come completely out.

If you have a shop manual for the other L10's, the one for the 4610 is the same, with some added pages covering the different front axle and hydraulic pump. The HST, 3pt, etc. is the same as in the other models. I have a copy and will be glad to look up anything I can for you.

Have been out of touch for a few days due to a death in the family... the old computer (vintage 1998) gave it up and had to be replaced.

rbargeron · Jun 25, 2004

Thanks to you and Grandad for the tips. The tractor is still here in my yard - I haven't heard from the owner but I have some time today so I'll drain the oil at least and have a look see. More later.

rbargeron · Jun 27, 2004

Did you have to shoot the computer? Hope you had a proper ceremony.

I drained the oil and ran a magnet around in the gearcase - got a few small iron chips out. With the parts all cleaned, I tried to fit them back into the hole - but there is a little ductility in the iron so the surfaces of the break are a little distorted. Here's a closeup of the drained case with the area cleaned up.

DCRC · Jun 27, 2004

Just curious if you have priced a new rearend case from Kubota yet?

rbargeron · Jun 27, 2004

With the parts stuck back in the hole with black silicone and a formed steel strap retaining them, the tractror is useable but without 3 point hitch. I left the rockshaft & ram out completely, with the touch lever locked down. The owner is negotiating with the dealer - may be some time before a proper fix is done.

grandad · Jun 27, 2004

Actually, the durn thing is dying a slow death, and I don't dare turn it off. The only external media it still recognizes is diskettes, so it has been real fun moving essential files from this dying swan to the new one.

Nice patch up and strap on that gearcase.

L3710GV · Jun 28, 2004

Looks good Doctor, and he gets to uses his tractor /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

On part prices I looked them up and wrote them down on I guess somebody elses paper-can't find it now, as I remember it was apx. $400 for the hydraulic cylinder assembly-case not sold seperately, and apx. $750 for transmission case, labor one could only wonder how much, looks like a BIG job to get at + setting up the ring and pinion etc. etc. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif gota feel sorry for this guy. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

polecat · Jun 28, 2004

That's not a strap! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

That my friend is a steel cross arm brace! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Thought u were gonna slide that one by me eehHHH!
Not today! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
They work great 4 other stuff 2 don't they! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Great lookin bandaid!

rbargeron · Jun 28, 2004

Yup, after some utility guys swept thru my old neighborhood I went out and cleaned up the stuff they had tossed, and I've been using it ever since. Nice stuff, soft, ductile, galvanized, and lotsa big carriage bolts, square nuts and long lags. In 25 years I'm only halfway thru the pile! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif BTW, I did scrounge up some metric bolts for this job. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif