B7200 HSTD front axle worn center pin?

[CJN8]

I have been working on the new to me B7200 HSTD which i picked up a month ago from a local guy who used it to tend to his small citrus orchard. The sheet metal is a little worse for wear as expected from an orchard tractor, but the dented sheet metal did not get me down too bad. The little beast came with a 1640 FEL and a 4' rollover box blade as well as a complete complement of filters and a few gallons of oil. I think I got a great deal at $2,800 .

I have sorted out a handful of small issues so far:
1. Fixed a bad hydraulic leak, the copper washers on either side of a banjo bolt on the underside of the hydraulic pump needed to be replaced.
2. Removed all the sheet metal and degreased the entire tractor, looks good now.
3. Changed all fluids and filters (no major concerns noted there)
4. Replaced the engine stop cable, PO was using the decompression cable to stop the motor.
5. Replaced the grill and headlight bezel, looking for headlights now.

Now getting to the root of my post here. I was driving the tractor the other day and noticed that when i turned left and right the front axle would move back and forth (not side to side). I looked at the parts diagram and see the front axle pivots on a center pin of sorts. Does this typically wear out? Is this probably the issue? Is this pretty common? Easy to fix?

Thanks all,
Nate

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Nate,
Its usually an easy fix, but first check that the bolt is tight and that the hair pin is in it to keep the nut from backing out.
If it's still loose it might just need the bushings replaced or maybe the bolt, just pull it apart and look for worn parts.

 

[CJN8]

Seems pretty straight forward. i love the fact that this tractor is so easy to service, at least it has been so far. I do need to take the plunge and get the service manual, wish it wasn't so darn expensive.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Go to Kubotaooks.com he might have your parts and service manual online to download.

 

[cb750k8]

Hi
Yes there is a center pin which is about 1" diameter and does the job of swivel which you describe.
If you jack up the front of the tractor at the chassis such that both front wheels lift of the ground you may be able to push the front axle assembly back and fourth on the pin. Any movement may be wear but some small movement is needed to allow this swivel action.
I noticed a knocking noise on my B7200 when going over bumps/potholes and identified this issue and removed the pin.
There was no real wear on the pin. It had not become waisted. The movement was axial along the pin.
My fix was to identify the movement and simply install a washer. The washer only needed to be about 1/8" thick Internal dimeter to suit pin and external diameter to fit in the location.
Trust this helps.
If further help or explaination is needed I could mark up a sketch.
Cheers

 

[CJN8]

Wolfman, thanks for the link. I was able to find the 7200HST manual which has the hydraulics and the hydrostatic transmission information. Now I just need to find the base manual which covers everything else for the 7200.

CB I think you hit the nail on the head. A shim/washer would probably do the trick for me too. I may just go to Kubota and get all the bushings and replace them while I am at it. I have to work through a few other issues before I get to this one.

Thanks all,
Nate