[tweivoda]

I was mowing last evening when the front of the tractor dipped to the left and I stopped suddenly. Initially I thought I just dropped in hole but such was not the case. The front axle had split so the tractor is resting on the ground with the left front wheel and power steering cylinder dangling. Of course this happened at the outer edge of the property and getting close to dark.

I have axle from an 1862 donor that I was going to put on my 782 when I did my power steering modification. I guess that project is on hold for a while.

I treat the old 1862 quite "gently" as she is 32 years old so I would have thought a front axle failure would be the last thing I would have to replace. Of course it's hard to know of its previous life as I've only had it about a year.

Now I have the task of getting the tractor to the garage without a functioning front axle, getting the mower off and replacing the axle. This tractor is Wisconsin where I have minimal tools. I think I need to set aside a weekend or two for the replacement project.

Anyone heard of these axles being prone to failure?