ZD1211 fixed axle pins

[texaskubota]

So for the first time I decided to try the clever front axle "jack system" the zd1211 has. As it is, the pins are set for fixed axle.

HOLY crap it took me two hours to get them out. Intense hammering, a crow bar, lots of pb penetrating spray, and eventually.....eventually I got them both out. Shirt completely soaked.

I assumed there had to be SOME load on these pins, but after jacking it up with a bottle jack (with no pressure on the axle) it didn't help. I then assumed the axle was maybe a little bent and it grooved the pins into the frame and axle.

None of this was the case. The pins seem to be fairly straight as well. I'm not even sure rust was the culprit. All I can think of is that the axle warped overtime and crimped the pins.

P.S. my blowtorch is out of commission, but might have been the best solution to loosen them up

Those things aren't going back in until I figure out what the hell that was all about. I haven't even tried to get them back in. Maybe they'll slide in now that it's all been so worked. Definitely will add a grease when/if I do

 

[mikester]

Probably corrosion and crud build up. When my BH pins get tight a good cleaning of the pin and bore and fresh anti-seize does the trick and everything works like new again.

I've been mowing with the axel in swing mode. Feels like it rides better and gives a better cut on uneven ground.

 

[texaskubota]

Probably corrosion and crud build up. When my BH pins get tight a good cleaning of the pin and bore and fresh anti-seize does the trick and everything works like new again.

I've been mowing with the axel in swing mode. Feels like it rides better and gives a better cut on uneven ground.

Yeah I need to get a tub of anti seize already. I have the small tube only. You would think I'd own some being in the south with the extreme humidity, extreme heat, which all wreaks havoc on equipment. This definitely isn't my first rodeo with seized metal and a bunch of curse words.

I did mow after in swing mode for the first time. May stick with it. Can't see a difference, yet.

 

[lugbolt]

there isn't a huge noticeable difference in cut quality if the axle is allowed to swing.

There is a difference in comfort, however. I tend to prefer that over cut quality in "my" yard (and it's certainly not a manicured yard!)

 

[Mmanders6]

I'm in SE Texas too and the humidity is hell on the close tolerance steel on steel fitments. For example the ROPS is frozen solid on both my tractor and mower. I've given up trying to bang them loose.

 

[texaskubota]

I'm in SE Texas too and the humidity is hell on the close tolerance steel on steel fitments. For example the ROPS is frozen solid on both my tractor and mower. I've given up trying to bang them loose.

Ah yeah I struggled with one of those too. One came out just fine, the other required some good good precision hammering.

I didn't use it for that case, but an iron punch can be useful....and a blowtorch

 

[tbk5]

there isn't a huge noticeable difference in cut quality if the axle is allowed to swing.

There is a difference in comfort, however. I tend to prefer that over cut quality in "my" yard (and it's certainly not a manicured yard!)

How so? Which setup is best for cut quality vs comfort? My pins come out easy. i have always mowed with the axle locked.

 

[texaskubota]

UPDATE

I found some time to go back and figure out what the problem is.

For those of you who can't sleep worrying about this, the issue is the axle is misaligned...but not because of an unlevel ground. The axle is completely stuck and not "rolling". Basically its somehow jammed, which jammed the pins in.

I confirmed this with a bottle jack on one side. BOTH sides go up simultaneously. No roll. So I'm guessing the center "shaft" and axle are seized.



picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[lugbolt]

UPDATE

I found some time to go back and figure out what the problem is.

For those of you who can't sleep worrying about this, the issue is the axle is misaligned...but not because of an unlevel ground. The axle is completely stuck and not "rolling". Basically its somehow jammed, which jammed the pins in.

I confirmed this with a bottle jack on one side. BOTH sides go up simultaneously. No roll. So I'm guessing the center "shaft" and axle are seized.



picture is worth a thousand words.

that's not uncommon
and that's not gonna be fun to get freed up either. I have had to cut the parts out in the past. There is a grease fitting on a lot of them, which often is neglected. Then they get stuck.

 

[texaskubota]

UPDATE

for those of you who can't sleep worrying about this, the issue is the axle is misaligned...but not because of an unlevel ground. The axle is completely stuck and not "rolling". Basically its somehow jammed, which jammed the pins in.

I confirmed this with a bottle jack on one side. BOTH sides go up simultaneously. No roll. So I'm guessing the center "shaft" and axle are seized. Or there's some mag

1. This makes more sense.



picture is worth a thousand words.

that's not uncommon
and that's not gonna be fun to get freed up either. I have had to cut the parts out in the past. There is a grease fitting on a lot of them, which often is neglected. Then they get stuck.

Oh yeah, that's definitely a grease port that's hidden. I looked and didn't see it. The manual and a parts catalog insisted there was one. I finally looked again and it was covered with dirt and is embedded.