New Tractor and almost a disaster!

[JoeR]

For the past two weeks I have noticed a creaking noise when the L4330 was in mostion coming from the left rear tire. I looked closely, but I could not find where it was coming from. Eventually, I tuned it out... (Not good). Yesterday, I drove the tractor down the road, and had a really bad vibration whenever I went above 8mph. The canopy would start to shake too. I again looked and didn't notice anything. Today, my brother comes over to help me, and he wanted some tractor time. I said sure, and let him proceed brush hogging the front pasture. Now I have an objective view of the tractor, and notice something strange with the left rear tire. It looks like it is wobbling! I stop my brother and get a close look. I then look at the right tire to get a comparison. Sure enough!!! My left rear tire has ONE nut holding the tire onto the rim!!!!!!!!! Holy cow!!! My tractor only has 30 hours on it, and I already lost 3 of the 4 bolts that hold the rim onto the tire. Someone didn't tighten those nuts on properly!


Do I have to worry about a bent rim now? I hope the dealership honors this, and doesn't consider it abuse.

Joe R.

 

[DK35vince]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Do I have to worry about a bent rim now? )</font>

I would worry less about a bent rim than I would about the bolt holes being wobbled out making it hard to keep wheel bolts tight.

 

[grandad]

You don't say how many hours you have on your tractor. The owners manual and shop manual for my Kubota say to check the wheel lugs for tightness every 50 hours. They probably put that in there for a reason, so we might conclude it is wise to follow their advice.

But, going on the assumption you recently took delivery of a new unit from the dealer, if your dealer is any good at all, they will come out to your place, remount the rim and tighten all the hardware and ask on bended knee for you to forgive them. If there is any damage, they will fix/replace at their expense. After all, they delivered a tractor to you in less than safe condition due to poor dealer preparation. If someone were injured or killed due to their negligence, they would be on the wrong end of who knows how much litigation. You have a right to expect an expensive new piece of machinery to be delivered in safe working condition.

 

[TresCrows]

I was told by the dealer to check bolt tightness after the first few hours of use and then the manual says I think every 50 hours. Next time your wheel is vibrating I suggest you do the same. The wheel is probably OK. Tighten them up good and then check them again after several hours. Walking around the unit before using it like a Preflight is a good idea. I do, others may not think it needed to preform a pre operation check. J

 

[rdam]

Not a bad reason to let another trusted person give your tractor a spin so you (the owner) can get a little different perspective.

 

[JoeR]

You know Rick, you are absolutely right. So... When are you coming back over? I have plenty of work to do. Heheheee!

Joe

 

[riptides]

TresCrow has a great idea with his pre-flight checkout. I have always done the look when starting it up. I'll have to add the wrench to my pre-ride every couple of tens of hours too.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[k4330]

This also happend to my 4330. I had to replce the bolts. The bolts that hold the front frame to the motor also came loose .. Bill

 

[_RaT_]

I have a different tractor same rear end and tires. Not a bolt has come loose anywhere. I'm always looking just because it's in my nature. The rim really should never bend from that but the botls are probably shot. Get a nice big torque wrench and torque them and then redo it every now and then. Do it while the tractors warming up etc.

 

[JimMorrissey]

Joe,

This past Winter the front wheel on my BX fell off while snowblowing my driveway! The lug bots loosened up and destroyed the wheel. The bolts where fine....the ones I could find, anyway. I now check my bolts every other use.

When it fell off (without notice) I was all the way at the end of my driveway, 400+ feet away. I had to lift the front end with the bucket and drag myself in reverse back to the house....not fun in blowing snow @ 10 degrees in the dark.

Jim