1947 M: Rear End Froze? Stuck Brake?

Ken Christopherson · Nov 20, 2018

Hello all! Went to use my M yesterday and it seems one rear wheel is locked up. Thing that has me perplexed, is the brakes weren't set. So, I doubt it is a
stuck brake. Next thing I thought there is probably ice in the differential (from sitting outside). I know what happens when you try to force them so I let it
sit....
Thing that has me wondering is I just used the tractor a couple days ago. Drove fine. Also, it seems the frozen side is on the uphill slope (it is parked on a
small sidehill). Always thought the water would settle to the lowest point. It has been finger numbing cold here for at least a month, so I figured it would
have been frozen much earlier than just yesterday. I am going to throw a tarp over it this weekend, and light up a torpedo heater to let it cook all day and see
if I can't get it to move that way. If it does, I know what the issue is.

DENNIS R NELSON · Nov 20, 2018

Yes be careful, it could be ice in bottom holding bull gear, could also be a ball from a bearing, it will crack the bottom of the rear housing if you force that wheel to turn, could also be a ball stuck in the bull/brake pinion & bull gear. Best to try thaw lube oil somehow & drain a little from plug in bottom of rear main case to check for water first.

Loren in Iowa · Nov 20, 2018

I'm betting on water in the differential. Unlikely that a ball from a bearing would drop, while just sitting there. Cold weather causes all kinds of problems.

tomdowling · Nov 20, 2018

It's a slim chance but happened to me water ran down the shifter and froze up the spider gear.

denglish · Nov 20, 2018

My M's differential locked up on a cold day here in Kansas last winter. I didn't have to wait long for a warm day to confirm the problem. However, I was completely unprepared for what came out of the drain though. It looked like chili from all the rust and it was just plain gross. Refilled with gear lube (not cheap) and have had no problems since.

fastfarmall · Nov 20, 2018

If it hasn't had a grease change in the final drive, it might look like what comes out of the back end of a cow, there's not much space between the bull gear and and the case.

Eddie V · Nov 20, 2018

Put some charcoal underneath it and let it heat up the transmission housing then try to move it. If it moves then has water in the rear end. I had that happen on a MD I own.

notjustair · Nov 20, 2018

I?ve had the same trouble on my feed grinding M. It is never used for anything but the mixer grinder and never sits out. Ever. But, the condensation gets to it every few years. In the fall I crack the plug enough to let the water drip out and leave it overnight. In the morning I tighten her up.

One year it froze up. I put the torpedo heater on it all day with the plug cracked and it drained out three gallons. She was used more back then and set out a little. Never again.

txdutchman · Nov 20, 2018

When I got our 47 M opened up I found the rear axle bearings to have missing rollerballs. Found several halves in the bottom after I got the nasty foul smelling sludge drained out. Never did found all of them. But no broken teeth on any of the gears.
Wondering if a one of them rollers might have gotten caught in between the teeth just right? But it could be just ice too.

JRSutton · Nov 24, 2018

If you don't want to wait forever while you warm it - put it in 5th gear - ignition disabled - and rock it a little by hand, pushing on the rear wheels.

Don't go crazy on it - but some slight pressure back and forth will move the ice once it softens a little.

1947 M: Rear End Froze? Stuck Brake?

Ken Christopherson

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DENNIS R NELSON

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Loren in Iowa

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tomdowling

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denglish

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fastfarmall

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Eddie V

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notjustair

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txdutchman

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JRSutton

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