Spindle upgrade
 

Well finally happened... Rim broke on my gt with loader... Been working the snot out of it. I want to upgrade my spindles, anyone have options?

you could upgrade to a wide frame front axle with 1" spindles, that would be a big improvement over stock. i have all the parts you'd need, pm me if interested.

yup need 1 inch spindles i used f cub hubs machined them to accept sealed bearings with 1 inch bore and slid them on got 5 bolt wheels from sear i think for 20 bucks. you can check but i think cub loboy 154 and 185s have 1 inch bearings

So can I get what tim is talking about and have the 5 bolt hub? The bolt hub sounds as though it would carry weight more evenly

5 bolt hub is not necessary if it's all still riding on a 1" spindle. 1" spindle is 1".... not matter how big the hub is, the spindle is still the weak point. Next weak link is the spindle bracket, and the bolt through the axle...

I'm not a big fan of loaders on GT's. They just aren't made near heavy enough for a loader. I've wore out front axle's/hubs and bearings just carrying a snowblower.

Good thing this not yours then :biggrin2: because I'm a huge fan

Till you break the axle again..... and again......


Then the frame starts to crack..... :BlahBlah:

I never broke the axle... But ok be negative its definitely what your good at for some reason. That's ok though im happy with it.

Oh, yeah, your the guy who said I'm dick on the open forum. AFTER I helped you fix your hydraulic pump. I remember now.

I probably don't know what I'm talking about anyway.



See ya!

IIRC the advantages to using the 4 and 5 lug hubs is that the bearings are more durable than the bearings in the CC 1" bearing wheels and the wheels for the 4 and 5 lug hubs are also heavier and more durable.

I keep thinking that there are also 1-1/4" stub axles and hubs that can be incorporated into a spindle if you have the fabrication skill and equipment.

Try an internet search and I believe you will find several examples of spindles that others have adapted and fabricated to work on garden tractors.

Will a "sleeve" to go over the existing spindle to make it 1" make any difference?

What were you moving that broke the rim? How much weight?

No, it will not.

Wet ashes. Not sure on weight... 300-400 lbs?

Attachment 73720
Looks as thought this guy did that?

I just cleaned up this thread, removed the post from Steve and the comments that followed it. :beerchug:

Doing that will give you a larger spindle diameter and the ability to use a hub and heavier wheel.

The problem with it is that it moves the weak spot to the area of the spindle where the "washer" is welded on and the curved area of that style spindle.

You can weld small gussets on the curved area of the spindle, but the weak spot continues to move toward the middle of the tractor every time a modification is made.

If the axle doesn't break, the weight of the loader creates HEAVY wear, where the spindles contact the bottom of the axle, inside the bore of the axle and on the spindle where it goes through the bore. Not to mention the added weight to the main pin holding the axle in the tractor and the saddle that the axle sets in. There just isn't enough meat on the axle to machine the bores large enough to accept bearings.

The Wide Frame axles are some better since they use a "bushing" inside the spindle bore but at the end of the day all the weight is setting on two 1/2" bolts and a cast iron axle that wasn't made heavy enough for this type of application in the first place.

I do love my FEL but I'm always aware that it's just a matter of time before something breaks and I find myself in a what could very well be a precarious situation.

Not to mention the added wear and tear on the steering box itself with those tiny ball bearings and the plastic retainer that holds them and the pressed steel cups they ride in/on. I can foresee more problems and busted parts on down the road.

Those Cubs have got to be a bear to steer with a bunch of weight in the bucket.
I think a Super w/P/S would be a much better choice for a FEL application.

I'm staying out of this one. :biggrin2:

It is his tractor, his time, his money, he will figure it out sooner or later. :beerchug:

Just because it's mine doesn't mean i don't want input...

I did pretty much the same upgrade that twoton posted a link to on the second page. Wide frame front axle with shoulder bolt and nut in place of pivot pin, plated wide frame spindles, and trailer hubs and spindles welded on. My 125 would eat wheel bearings pretty quick and the gusseted spindles were bent. I have had no problems since. Like others have said, there are still some weak points, but I have had no problems yet. I try to remember it was never meant to have a loader and don't force the steering when sitting still.

I have a 169 with a loader and love it. I did change the spindles/wheels to 1" ones off of a 682 which both are much heavier. I purchased a super steer axle which appears to be much heavier also just have not installed yet. The wheels will be more forward and turn tighter once it's installed. I would recommend either of these options as a step up from what you are using and less than $100 either way from Ray or Ebay. Yes it's true if you overload the tractor something else will break, but if you have got away with using the 3/4" axle till now, either of the 1" solutions will be helpful!

Thanks! I appreciate the input everyone. Ill keep you posted!

You obviously don't know the history of the machine.

J-mech strikes again! Like a forum super villain... Lurking in the topics waiting to strike!

:Boxer::Boxer::Duel::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::po pcorn:

:bigeyes:

:HeeHee::HeeHee:

:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

Yes, he has again forgotten that I have worked at three Cub Cadet dealers over the past 45 years of being a mechanic, with the first one being while he was still in diapers. :Forgot:

We have our own Lex Luther of the Cub Cadet world?

Ol' George....pass the popcorn.

Buttered or plain? :bigthink:

Not sure... Whats his gain? To rule the forums... Then the world!

Buttered, extra salt. May be a beer or two involved.

Don't bother kid, it's not worth it.

You came here looking for info and you're getting it, j mech might not have the most polished approach to getting his info to you but his info is solid. I understand you might not like his attitude but he's not going to give you bad advice, there's plenty of forums where you could get info on your cub but you won't find a more knowledgeable and generally easy going group of guys anywhere else.

How is this giving advice? Its rude and unnecessary. It has no merit and accomplishes nothing. Advice, even negative, i get but this... Pointless.

Ditto...

If you are looking for sound & solid advice, pay attention.

If you are looking for a forum not to get your feelings hurt, then maybe OCC is not the place.

That's one good thing about getting old,,,you hardly have any feelings left!

As long as I get what I need I don't care what you call me or think of me, in the end it really doesn't matter.