S-370D wheel fell off!

[z28clone]

Moving dirt with the tractor with a Blackhawk loader. No wheel weights or weight in the back, so I had to lean alot to keep from tipping. Anyway, I push in to grab a pile of dirt and I hear a snap. I thought it was the loader creaking a little. A few minutes later, I notice my front left wheel looking a bit odd, then I stopped and used the loader to pick up the front end. Then the wheel fell off. Looks like the snap ring come off the hub shaft and the bearings are shot. I have a parts manual for the tractor. I found the part number for the bearings and did an internet search. The same part number is used for a ball bearing for a transmission shaft on cub cadet tractors. Will these bearings match the ones I need?

 

[smithbrl]

Look at the numbers on your bad bearings. Order bearings with those numbers.

 

[z28clone]

I will see what numbers are left. Looks like a grenade went off inside.

 

[284 International]

If the destruction inside keeps you from getting numbers off the destroyed bearings, you could pull the other side apart and check the numbers on the bearings that are still intact. It may be a good idea anyway, just to check how much damage that side has, too.

...No wheel weights or weight in the back, so I had to lean alot to keep from tipping...

Running a loader on the front of these little tractors without significant ballast off the rear hitch is abusive, and eventually breaks parts, as you found out. Wheel weights will help with stability, but only add to the forces the front axle may see. Adding ballast off the back hitch will reduce the load on the front axle. I think best practice would be to always have ballast on the rear hitch equal to or heavier than the load in the bucket, for what it's worth.

That's a bummer about your broken machine. Take pictures as you disassemble and repair it. Good luck!

 

[z28clone]

The bearings that I ordered with the same part number for the cub cadets fit great and they were certainly cheaper than finding true satoh parts. I will see about getting the weight in the back before I move anymore dirt. I wouldnt want this to be my last post. RIP. LOL

 

[Utah Bison]

We don't want it to be your last either......
Thanks for the info and be careful

Lee

 

[caferacermike]

Wow and to think I've asked about putting a front end loader on my 370 but I was worried the axle or wheels would break. Every single time the answer was "don't worry it will be fine." Just sayin.

Thanks for the post. I think I'll leave the FEL off the tractor and shop for something a little more robust.

 

[cajun c]

Sorry to interrupt on your thread, but would you guys know where i could get a FEL for my s370 ???
AGAIN SORRY

 

[PILOON]

Sorry to interrupt on your thread, but would you guys know where i could get a FEL for my s370 ???
AGAIN SORRY

Good luck.
Needle in haystack?
I know of a couple of folks* that found it cheaper to simply buy another tractor. New figure $4000. range and used you better be a good welder in order to adapt something.

*and he is a long haul trucker so distance was no problem, after a year he gave up and purchased a 2nd tractor.

 

[techwrtr2]

Wow and to think I've asked about putting a front end loader on my 370 but I was worried the axle or wheels would break. Every single time the answer was "don't worry it will be fine." Just sayin.

Thanks for the post. I think I'll leave the FEL off the tractor and shop for something a little more robust.

We've had a loader on mine for almost as long as we've had it. Never broke a front axle or wheel. Or even a bearing.

I did break the frame twice. Moral is not to abuse it as I was doing when I broke the frame. Don't abuse it and run proper counterweight (attached backhoe suits for me).