Riding lawn mower loses left front wheel.

Hello all. I don't know if a riding lawn mower qualifies as a "Garden Tractor" or not. This one is larger than the garden tractors that I use to have.

I was mowing the yard last week and Riding Lawn Mower left front wheel came off. Fortunately I was going slow at the time and there was no damage done. The left front wheel was retained by a "snap ring" with a plastic cover over the wheel hub. (So I could not see how the wheel was retained.) The snap ring either failed, broke or "came off". I am not happy with the way the wheel was retained. It is now retained with a "snap ring" and in addition the axle is now drilled and has a very heavy cotter pin installed through the axle. (As a "back up" retainer for the wheel.) The right front wheel is scheduled for the same treatment later this week.
Has anyone else had this kind of trouble with their riding lawn mower or garden tractor?
This just does not seem secure enough for retaining a wheel on a 24 HP piece of equipment. Just my thought and "gripe" for today.
Gordon in IN
 
That's a pretty standard front wheel attachment. Think every riding mower I've ever had, I ended up redesigning the steering linkage. Seems a favorite area to cut corners.
 
As Steve said, that has been a more or less standard way to attach a front wheel for a long time. Contrary to the way it may seem, they do the job without an excessive amount of failures. Nothing wrong with your "backup" cotter pin, though.
 
Be sure to put on the flat washer, or it will cut the snap ring and the cotter.
 
It is a good thing that you were driving slow. One can only imagine the carnage if you had been travelling at 50 MPH or more and no seat belt and air bags.
 
My old Wards garden tractor has cotter pins on the front wheels. I bought it in 1971. Hal
a165067.jpg
 
Snap rings usually have a rounded side, and a sharp side. Make sure the sharp side is facing out so it catches in the groove better and less chance of hopping out. Should hold well as long as there"s a washer between it and the wheel.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top