TO30 Axel Shaft and Battery Support

I have a 1952 TO30 that we bought from the previous owner of our farm about 12 years ago. It has run well, and I have used it mostly for light-duty tasks around our place (I have a modern Kubota as well that I use for the heavy lifting).

The TO30 was in need of a handful of repairs, cleaning up, and repainting, so I found a local tractor repair shop willing to take on the project.

Years ago, my neighbor told me that the previous owner had at some point broken one of the TO30's rear axels, and had welded it (the axel) back together. I never noticed any problems, so just shrugged, kept using the tractor, and admired the skills of the previous owner who is quite an accomplished machinist.

Now that the tractor is apart, we can see that it is the left axel that was welded. The weld itself looks fine, but the axel is just barely curved as the result of the weld. Despite this, I've never noticed a problem and it doesn't appear to have caused any unusual wear of bearings or the differential gears. Yet, while it's apart, I think it's worthwhile to replace the axel if a replacement is available.

So the question is whether a new left axel is available for a TO30, and what the part number would be. Is the axel the same as is used on an 8N or 9N? Any recommendations as to where I could purchase an axel?

One other part that I need to replace is the battery support. It is nearly rusted through. This part does not appear to be the same as on the Fords. Any recommendations as to where I could find a replacement, new or used?

Thanks,

Jeff

There's a selection of axles to choose from on eBay right now. I don't see any battery trays at this time, but they come and go. Beyond that it's a matter of contacting tractor salvage places.

Battery trays in good condition are uncommon, you might consider having yours refurbished. Sandblasting/metal replacement/paint might not be much more of a challenge than finding a solid used replacement.

The original Part # is TO4234B. B is important as it is for TO30 and not any Ford or earlier Ferguson such as TO20 Te20 Tea20 etc. HF parts number subs to MF part # 189 648 M91
To 30 had bigger stronger inner axle where it fits into the side gear.
Ebay an axle for $199.85 + shipping

I have NO experience to verify your concerns....

Pics are from a FERGUSON PARTS BOOK.....

Owner ...Ferguson TEA-20

Bob..

Wow, he must have been a very good welder to have fixed the axle, even if it did have a little runout!

What are you going to use the tractor for? If it's going to remain light service, I think I would just keep the welded axle. Sounds like it has proven itself worthy.

Here is a link to an axle related question from about 16 years ago.

Maybe it will help a bit.
https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=ferg&th=27334

My parts book isn't quite as clear as I wish, but it seems to align with the info in the link I just posted.

TO30 and TO20 axles appear to be different from each other and different from the 9N. Although they list only the "Assembly" and not just the shaft and don't give any further details about specs.

Here's a screen shot of some of the parts book if it helps at all.

Thanks, all, for the responses -- especially pointing out that the TO30 has a different axel than the Fords and earlier Fergusons.

Looks like we might have found an axel locally, but if that doesn't work out I'll take a look at eBay.

I guess repairing the battery shelf is our best bet.

Jeff

A moment after posting my reply a few moments ago, I checked eBay again for a battery tray and !surprise! there was one from a 1951 TO30 in significantly better condition than mine (as best as I could tell from the photos). I went ahead and picked it up.

Thanks again to all!

Jeff