Front Drive Shaft Tube Damage - L2501

[Geojimb]

Hi Everyone, my first post as a member!

I recently bought a used l2501 and during an oil change, noticed that the front drive shaft tube was bent and damaged (ripped open on a small section). How much of a concern is this? If its a simple fix, I would just assume get it replaced. Not sure if necessary or simple.

Any advice would be appreciated.


Thanks!

 

[GeoHorn]

Not the same model (obvously) but mine was worn-thru from friction... apparently the PO ran it over brush and bent it into the internal spinning driveshaft which eventually wore-thru.

I’ve not done this work yet, but after receiving advice here on OTT, and looking at the WSM for my tractor, it appears the tube/cover simply slides/collapses against the other half-tube. A coupler with roll-pins attaches the driveshaft to the spline-shafts at each end. Removing that pin should allow removal of the driveshaft and then removal of the tube. Reverse the process and we should both be happy again.

I’m not sure that cover does anything important tho’. You could probably ignore it.

 

[Henro]

Thinking back I had a similar issue soon after buying my B2910.

I called the dealer and the salesman told me to stick a screwdriver in and pry the cover away from the shaft, and they would take care of it as it sounded like a warranty issue.

After the tractor goes back, the same guy calls me and says it looks like something poked into it, and it would not be warranty. I told him he told me to stick a screwdriver in and pull the cover away from the shaft...

They covered it by warranty, but today I think I actually did it by driving over some brush or something. BUT I did use the screwdriver as suggested. There is not a lot of protection under that shaft cover. I did make a small plate to cover that part of the bottom under the tractor, that comes off with four bolts screwed into the loader frame. Need to remove it when changing engine oil.

 

[D2Cat]

That cover will keep dirt and other debris from getting to the seal at both ends of the shaft.

 

[Tornado]

Hi Everyone, my first post as a member!

I recently bought a used l2501 and during an oil change, noticed that the front drive shaft tube was bent and damaged (ripped open on a small section). How much of a concern is this? If its a simple fix, I would just assume get it replaced. Not sure if necessary or simple.

Any advice would be appreciated.


Thanks!

Could you post a picture of this? As a L2501 owner Id just like to see what youre talking about.

 

[Geojimb]

Thank you for your help!

 

[Geojimb]

Here is a picture I took.

 

[Geojimb]

Thank you for your insight

 

[Tornado]

Here is a picture I took.

Oh wow. How did that happen I wonder? Looks almost like friction damage, as if something rubbed against it time and time again until it rubbed a hole? Any insight on how this damage occured? Would just like to personally be aware so I can avoid it happening to mine

 

[GeoHorn]

Oh wow. How did that happen I wonder? Looks almost like friction damage, as if something rubbed against it time and time again until it rubbed a hole? Any insight on how this damage occured? Would just like to personally be aware so I can avoid it happening to mine

MIne is the same way. The sheet-metal tube is probably shoved out-of-position with brush etc., and then the spinning driveshaft inside the tube rubs thru the thin sheet-metal.

 

[Tornado]

MIne is the same way. The sheet-metal tube is probably shoved out-of-position with brush etc., and then the spinning driveshaft inside the tube rubs thru the thin sheet-metal.

Yours has the same damage eh? Well that would suggest it may be a common problem. Ill try to keep an eye on it.

Appreciate the picture

 

[Henro]

Wow! Is that shaft within the damaged tube that badly scored? Zooming in on the photo it sure looks like it is, but perhaps it is just the photo and really not that bad.

Never thought about that possibility as the cover on my B2910 is plastic.

As a quick fix, I would likely cover it with a piece of plastic pipe cut in half lengthwise, held on by some radiator hose clamps. After making sure the remaining tube was clear of the shaft.

And I would consider protecting it with some kind of skid plate like I did on my tractor.

 

[Henro]

This is what I did. Different model though:

 

[Tornado]

what are the hours on these L2501's with this problem?

 

[Nicfin36]

Coincidentally, I was about to start a thread on armoring the underside of tractors, preferably the L2501 since I have one. Looking like a little protection wouldn't hurt.

 

[Tornado]

Coincidentally, I was about to start a thread on armoring the underside of tractors, preferably the L2501 since I have one. Looking like a little protection wouldn't hurt.

I never considered it as I didnt think the L2501 needed it. This thread makes me wonder now -_-

 

[GeoHorn]

It may not be just the L2501’s that need it. Mine is a M4700 that has the same problem.

 

[Tornado]

It may not be just the L2501’s that need it. Mine is a M4700 that has the same problem.

how many hours on that machine? wonder what is the cause of this. Never seen or heard of this issue but several already in this thread reporting it. Tried to google up some additional cases but cant find anything.

 

[Henro]

I am not GeoHorn, but I do not think hours relate to the problem.

If you lay on the ground under your tractor you might be amazed at how much stuff is exposed under there. If you only use the tractor on flat surfaces without debris, you will likely never have a problem.

If you work the tractor where debris is on the ground, or on ground where the tractor may sink a bit, lowering ground clearance, you increase the chances of something under there being damaged.

I damaged my drive shaft cover probably within the first 50 hours of use. At that time I did not realize how exposed things are under there. I though it was a tractor...and in my mind a tractor was something made to work hard. Soon learned that one needs to be aware of things exposed underneath...

 

[Nicfin36]

If you lay on the ground under your tractor you might be amazed at how much stuff is exposed under there. If you only use the tractor on flat surfaces without debris, you will likely never have a problem.

Nice armor Henro.

I was under mine about a week ago and thought the same thing. Unfortunately, I could not readily see many good places to readily attach protective plating without being a little creative.