Loose Axles

rusty6

Well-known Member
Seems to be a characteristic of the 40-50 series Cockshutts that the rear axle splines will get loose with use. I've replaced a few axles over the years for this reason. My dad had a big socket wrench made up at the blacksmith's years ago to tighten the nut on the end of the axle. It takes a good long bar extension sometimes to get the nut turned far enough to line up the holes for the cotter pin.
Yesterday I did it again on the 40.
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I read that and I though "huh"!. Around here 99% were row crop models for adjusting the wheel settings and no nut on the end.
 
(quoted from post at 18:05:00 11/02/12) I read that and I though "huh"!. Around here 99% were row crop models for adjusting the wheel settings and no nut on the end.

I should check my parts book but I know there were at least two different rear wheel types on this series tractor . I think they all had some type of nut or stud on the end of the axle to keep it tight on the spline.
I heard of one owner that let it go too long and the spline wore to the point it could not be tightened anymore. He got it welded solid and it lasted for a while but eventually the axle broke at the weld.
 
(quoted from post at 21:07:56 11/02/12) I thought these axle/hub splines are not tapered, so the big nut on the end of the axle shaft did not tighten the splines.

I may be wrong but all I know is that the wheel is now tight on the spline since I tightened the nut. I am going to check one of the old axles just to satisfy my own curiousity to see if it is a tapered spline. How else would they compensate for normal wear and tear unless you could take up the slack by tightening the nut on a tapered spline?
Edit: I checked the "inventory" and was surprised to see I have 4 of these axles that have been replaced over the years. And they do seem to be tapered in the spline as this picture should show.
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I looked in my 40 gas parts book. Axles for hubs for adjusting the wheel tread were made in 2 different lengths and were available after SN 25000.
 
Hi Rusty6, thanks for posting the picture. I have a 1954 50 s/n 2050, and did tighten the nut so the wheel/hub did not wobble on the axle shaft, but there was still "play" between the hub and axle shaft when you "rock" the wheel with the brakes locked tight. I could see the big nut turn slightly before the hub would move, or vice versa. Does the shaft splines wear down before the hub spline? I assume there is no availability on new axle shaft or hubs for the 40 and 50
 
(quoted from post at 18:39:47 11/03/12) Hi Rusty6, thanks for posting the picture. I have a 1954 50 s/n 2050, and did tighten the nut so the wheel/hub did not wobble on the axle shaft, but there was still "play" between the hub and axle shaft when you "rock" the wheel with the brakes locked tight. I could see the big nut turn slightly before the hub would move, or vice versa. Does the shaft splines wear down before the hub spline? I assume there is no availability on new axle shaft or hubs for the 40 and 50

I have an older 50 than yours. (#1420 I think) Sounds like your splines are worn past the point of tightening. I'm assuming you had the wheel raised off the floor when tightening? I'm not sure which wears the most or fastest. I might open up the one old axle I have left with a hub still on it just to see. I have no idea where the other 3 hubs are. The axle spline in my picture definitely showed signs of wear.
 
Thanks for your response Rusty6, I am going to recheck it someday, becasuse I think I remember the wheel got so tight it would bind, so we backed off slightly to the next notch for the cotter pin set. (like on a trailer hub/wheel brg)This is my only tractor, but it is special to me as this was my Dad's tractor he bought new in 1955, and sold in 1963 at our farm auction when I was 13 years old. I bought it back in 2007 from the farmer who bought it at Dad's auction. It is still in original condition, and I use it to pull a trailer for rides with my children/grandchildren/friends and a few tractor drives with other collectors.
 
Looking at your posted picture, (the battery), is this tractor a diesel, and still 6 volt? Do you have more Cockshutt tractors and any spare parts ?
Also, the picture of the axle/hub sure does look like very worn splines, curious to see what you find if you pull the hub off the other axle shaft.
 
(quoted from post at 19:17:45 11/04/12) Looking at your posted picture, (the battery), is this tractor a diesel, and still 6 volt? Do you have more Cockshutt tractors and any spare parts ?
Also, the picture of the axle/hub sure does look like very worn splines, curious to see what you find if you pull the hub off the other axle shaft.
You are correct in that the battery location looks like the diesels but in fact I modified it so I could fit one big six volt battery to start the gas engine. The original location under the dash was barely room enough for a long six volt battery.
This 40 has been on the farm since 1967 but I also have the 50 gas that my Dad bought used in 1959. This picture was taken about 1961. It had been repainted in yellow over the original 1953 red. Got a few parts tractors too.
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(quoted from post at 19:17:45 11/04/12)
Also, the picture of the axle/hub sure does look like very worn splines, curious to see what you find if you pull the hub off the other axle shaft.

Looked into the old hub today and looks like pretty major wear on the spline too. A little JB weld maybe? :)
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Nice picture of the 50 with the seeder drill. I have a picture from about 1959 or 1960 of my older brother on our 50 with a M-C green chopper and bunk feeder wagon (me and my sister hanging on the wagon), sure wish they had color photos back then! What size tire you have on the 50? We had 18.4-34 rice lug tires, and I remember getting stuck in the marsh, 3/4 turn and you were hung up! Are you a member of ICCI? Our local antique power club is hosting the National show in 2014 near Beaver Dam, WI. I live about 15 miles from the show grounds.
 
Rusty6, do you have a good seat pan on the knoedler seat? I have another 50 that I am having restored and the seat pan had a barn door hinge welded on for the tilt pivot. My restoration friends stripped down to bare frame, and primered everything, and then stalled, doing lots of other projects, I have to get after them to put it back together and finish paint. been sitting there for 2 years now. I got new front and rear main seals they need to put in first.
 
(quoted from post at 20:32:38 11/05/12) Nice picture of the 50 with the seeder drill. I have a picture from about 1959 or 1960 of my older brother on our 50 with a M-C green chopper and bunk feeder wagon (me and my sister hanging on the wagon), sure wish they had color photos back then! What size tire you have on the 50? We had 18.4-34 rice lug tires, and I remember getting stuck in the marsh, 3/4 turn and you were hung up! Are you a member of ICCI? Our local antique power club is hosting the National show in 2014 near Beaver Dam, WI. I live about 15 miles from the show grounds.

Thats actually the famous Cockshutt #33 tiller combine as seen in this ad.
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Cockshutt sold a lot of those in both six and eight foot sizes. They pulled heavy and did a fair job of seeding and working summerfallow.
Dad's 50 has the 18.4x34s which made it a lot stronger puller than the 40 with those skinny 13x38s. No, I'm not a member of any club.
 

As the PR Chair of the International Cockshutt Club, I will post a link for you to visit if you are interested. Right now (until Dec 31 2012) $100 buys you a 5 year membership, giving you one free year. It is a quarterly newsletter with parts vendors, member stories, helpful hints...etc.

www.cockshutt.com (also on Facebook)

http://www.cockshutt.com/flexistar/...52576190058B615?OpenDocument&seq=26698.43


Right now I am working on my Co-op E4. Replacing some bearings in the transmission, such a fun job.
A photo from a few weeks ago
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Photo from a few nights ago.
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Very nice tractors. I'll have a look at that link.
Here is a scan from my 40 parts book showing the type of rear axles my 40 and 50 have.
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Here are a couple of optional rear wheel from the 40 parts book. I have a PD40 with the top style wheel. Also knew a neighbour with a 50 diesel with that same style cast wheel. But the books do not show the solid cast wheel that I have on the 50. It is different from these.
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The solid cast came out later in production, the later parts books show them. Believe they were only on the adjustable axles. (my Black Hawk in the photo is the type of wheel I am referring too)
 
(quoted from post at 20:35:52 11/06/12)
The solid cast came out later in production, the later parts books show them. Believe they were only on the adjustable axles. (my Black Hawk in the photo is the type of wheel I am referring too)
According to the serial (1420) my 50 would be a 1953 model even though a previous owner had painted it yellow and sold it as a 56. It has the solid cast wheels, non adjustable, same type 9 bolt hub as the old 40. Not like your Blackhawk. This picture might show it a little better.
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