PlowTrac Differential Not working

fpappal · Oct 14, 2017

Last week I wrote about my PlowTrac not plowing very well. I noticed today that only the left wheel is turning when I try to hold it back. Last week before I tried plowing with it both wheels were turning when I tried to hold it back. So something obviously broke when I started plowing. When I move the lever to engage the right wheel the differential separates by about a 1/4 inch. When I move the lever back the gap closes. Is this normal?

Has anyone had one of these differentials apart? There is also quite a bit of axle play from left to right. If I hold on to the handlebars and move them slightly to the left or the right you can see the axle/wheels slide in and out maybe a 1/4 inch. I would think that should be more tight than it is. Even with only one wheel spinning it is all I can do to hold it back. Any suggestions?

Kris Golden · Oct 14, 2017

I don't believe there is a differential on those. The axle is one piece all the way through. There are cogs in the hubs to drive while allowing slack for turns. Since that model has a reverse, there are cogs for BOTH directions.
I wouldn't worry too much about the gap. Pull the hubs and make sure all the cogs are catching. Clean them if overly rusty but DO NOT grease them. The spring inside the hub may be broken on at least one cog. Best of Luck!!

gtractorfan · Oct 14, 2017

Mine is at the home farm 32 miles away otherwise I'd get closeup pictures. There is no "differential" but the hubs release and "catch". Mine doesn't have the extra bar on the right, don't know what that's for. Your hubs may need to be disassembled and cleaned to help them "catch".

jr1983 · Oct 14, 2017

I had the ones on my simplicity stick. I also had a problem with the gap. There is a set screw for each half of the hub. If the gap gets to large the cogs don't catch the hub and it won't engage.

fpappal · Oct 15, 2017

Here is a picture from the owner's guide. They are calling it an differential but it looks like it was an option. It was only available on the 5 3/4 hp and the 7 hp. Which they call the Plow-Trac and Power-Trac.

kevinstuff · Oct 16, 2017

What you have is 2 speed hi/low , differential, planetary
gear reduction , you can adjust axel end play by adjusting
collars that have set screws, also on wheel hub
There is on inside of hub an I shaped casting that
you can turn left or right about 1/4 turn , if
Rember that is what locks up axel , also on
Outside there is a pawl with spring that's held in place
by cotter key that allows the wheel to free
wheel when turning , which makes a clicking sound
when turning , hope this helps

fpappal · Oct 17, 2017

I removed the outer collar but the hub will not budge. Using a pipe I tried to hammer the hub in more but it would not move. I was thinking about getting a puller and removing the hub so I can see what is on the other side. Would that be your suggestion moving forward? I am not seeing any spring either, is that also inside differential?

kevinstuff · Oct 17, 2017

I have newer model w that has that same
hub , put that collar back on and is there a
set screw inside that angled boss on hub?
my model w has a lug bolt in mine , it locks the
hub by friction to axel, look on opposite side for
those collars and adjust those to take out end
play of axel, send some pic of other side when
you get that far

PlowTrac Differential Not working

fpappal

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Kris Golden

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gtractorfan

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jr1983

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fpappal

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kevinstuff

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fpappal

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kevinstuff

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