I drove into a hole

Toora Stephen · Mar 20, 2011

I drove my tractor into a hole.

The right front wheel hit it pretty hard. I couldn't back it out.

The front wheel is in a hole.

The inner bolt has snapped. The other bolt is bent. Even if I could back it out, the wheel will not support the tractor.

The oil pan is sitting on the ground.

There was just enough room to get a jack under it, then jack it up to get blocks under the front, then move the jack forward and jack it up more to get the wheel out of the hole. Then the bolts had to be replaced in-situ. Not a bad job, really. The hardest bit was getting the VERY HEAVY jack across the field to the tractor.

- TS

Bruce(OR) · Mar 20, 2011

I believe the proper respose might be one of
"Real Smooooth".
Glad to note your not listing any injuries.
Here is hoping the brakes are working to get you out when the axle is fixed.
I had plans of putting a front loader on this TO-20 and had the front axle reinforced with Diamond plate steel. This should negate any problems with cracked center axles in the future. Now just the spindles will snap.
The bar hanging down is on both sides for the front loader to bolt to when I fab the mounting.

Bob (Aust) · Mar 21, 2011

Sorry ... can't help picking up on details.

Is that head light an original Ferguson "cyclops" head light? First time I've seen one. That kit originally included folding side lights and a tail light - I can see the bolt holes, do you have the side lights?

I'll bet that was a let down - excuse the pun - no doubt cushioned by that non genuine arm chair you have strapped on? :lol:

Interesting modification between the foot peg and foot plates. What is that strap down the side of the gear box?

Bob

Toora Stephen · Mar 21, 2011

I believe that headlight is original. It doesn't work; I have no use for it, but maybe one day I will connect its wire back up and see if the globe is still good

There is also a tail-light but it does not seem to be of the original metal that the headlight is made of. I never saw the sidelights.

I still have the original seat but my property makes for a pretty bouncy ride (and is full of holes) so the comfy seat is appreciated!

- TS

John (UK) · Mar 21, 2011

You need to tighten the bolts through the Front Axle and the Axle and Centre Beam are not in-line and unsupported, you should have at least one hole between these bolts and with the nuts and a flat washer, at the front of the Axle. The Radius Rods bending like that is due to the Front Axle Pivot Pin and Bush under the Radiator being worn and the Axle parts not being tight to-gether and in-line, if you leave this and not replace the Pin and Bush, there is a danger that the Axle will catch the bottom Radiator pipe and break it off or crack it. In fact it is in the right position for it to have done that now in your pictures, it would be wise to check that Radiator before you use the tractor again or it may lose all the water when it heats up and gets some pressure in the system.You can straighten the Radius Rods, but new ones are available too. If you straighten them and not replace the Pin and Bush they will bend again. The Radius Rods should not have any twisting motion on them or they bend like in the pictures, they are there to prevent the Extensions on the axle from pushing back towards the tractor, the Pin and Bush is there to prevent the axle twisting as well as provide the pivot point..John

Anonymous-0 · Mar 21, 2011

Sorry about your trouble. Been there done that. Had to winch the fergy out by blocking in the tires on the ford and using a come along.

bobs old iron · Mar 21, 2011

ouch: that must hurt. sorry can't help, but your pictures gave me good idea for seat and rops. thanks

bobs old iron · Mar 21, 2011

forgot to add, shouldn't be texting and tractoring on curves. lol

rustyfarmall · Mar 21, 2011

We've all done very similar, totally stupid stunts like that. The real trick is to know how to remedy the situation and then repair the damage, and it sounds like you did. Congratulations.

Toora Stephen · Mar 21, 2011

@John, thanks I'll check all that out
@Bobs, ha ha!
@rusty: At first I thought it would be out of action for weeks, but then I realised I had the tools to fix it. Lucky I have that decent jack and had a couple of spare bolts just right for the axle.

- TS

Anonymous-0 · Mar 21, 2011

I suppose the silly question would be to ask why are you off the road that far, trying out the 4 wheel drive?

Jeff-oh · Mar 21, 2011

I guess that what you get for driving on the right side of the road like us Yankees.

Jeff

Toora Stephen · Mar 21, 2011

heh, that "road" only exists because I made it.
I was trying to slash the weeds at the edge of it to make it a little wider.

The *stupid* thing is that I already knew the hole was there - I just thought it was about 10 metres ahead of where it actually is!

- TS

Tony in Mass. · Mar 21, 2011

You are @#$%^&* lucky to be healthy enough to be online, never mind fix the damage. I did that with a big Allis pulling a mower conditioner, make's you think about the meaning of life eh? Roll bars do no good when your guts are inside the steering wheel huh? Easiest thing would be to get a neighbor with a big enough tractor and loader to lift the wheel up, pack rocks and dirt in the hole, then roll her back. A slipped jack could have been horror show- act 2. All that broke were the bolts? Cranky. Your guardian angel deserves a case of 4x for this project.

Bob (Aust) · Mar 22, 2011

Your guardian angel deserves a case of 4x for this project.

Actually, it is XXXX - but it is wonderful to see at least some Yanks appreciate the finer things in life, rather than bottled dish water!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Bob in XXXXLand

Anonymous-0 · Mar 22, 2011

grey ferguson tractor texter here, hope u weren't on your mobile whilst driving..... penalty points galore for that sir!!!!!!!

Toora Stephen · Mar 22, 2011

(quoted from post at 00:04:56 03/23/11)
Actually, it is XXXX - but it is wonderful to see at least some Yanks appreciate the finer things in life, rather than bottled dish water!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Bob in XXXXLand

All I can agree with here is the :lol: part.

Considering the vast array of boutique beers available in Australia, I would not touch XXXX with a grader blade!

- TS

Toora Stephen · Mar 22, 2011

(quoted from post at 06:06:26 03/23/11) grey ferguson tractor texter here, hope u weren't on your mobile whilst driving..... penalty points galore for that sir!!!!!!!

Actually, I don't even get reception on my property!

- TS

Bob (Aust) · Mar 23, 2011

Actually, I don't even get reception on my property!

Another happy Telstra customer??? :evil:

Toora Stephen · Mar 23, 2011

(quoted from post at 16:49:30 03/23/11)

Another happy Telstra customer??? :evil:

Sadly/happily, no. I have been avoiding them, but they actually would provide reception to me... :-/

- TS

I drove into a hole

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Similar threads