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.

 

[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

 

[jwstewar]

The left front tire fell off my NH TC24D after about 15 minutes of use or playing really when I first bought it. The dealer replace all of the bolts, the wheel & tire, and the hub. He wanted to make sure nothing had been damaged. Was afraid that the threads had been messed up on the hub. Once that one fell off I went around and cranked everything down with the impact gun. Not a problem since.

Good luck getting your 'Bota fixed, but I am glad to know that it just isn't a NH problem.

 

[JoeR]

K4330: What bolts on the front frame are you referencing? I am worried that the same guy at the Kubota factory was working when both of our tractors were assembled.

Here is my Update with more questions:

The dealer sent a guy out who replaced and tightened all the bolts. He said the hub was not bent. Although, when I got down the road over 5mph I feel a slight left to right rocking. Is this normal? I know tractors don't drive like cars, but I am now paranoid since this incident. I don't know if I am being over sensitive, and need a sanity check.

Thanks,

Joe

 

[Egon]

Prechecks are always a good idea. Do them on a schedule basis like start up, shutdown or fuel up but do them. Also check bolts & nuts other than just tires for tightness.

Egon