Wheelhorse 312 8 transaxle bracket cracked

[Wheelhorse3128 7]

Hello has anyone experienced the transaxle bracket on a wheelhorse 312 8 cracking and causing the transaxle to be loose or even fall off?

[ebinmaine 80,847]

Loose? Maybe. 

 

Fall OFF??

 

There are multiple attachment points. I don't see how that would happen.  

 

Got pics? 

[ri702bill 13,147]

Are you referring to the "F" plate on the frame?? All too common. 

This is the worst one I came across... Fixable but time consuming. 3 out of 4 crackedout - 2 connected together.

 

[Ed Kennell 47,517]

1 hour ago, Wheelhorse3128 said:

Hello has anyone experienced the transaxle bracket on a wheelhorse 312 8 cracking

The "F"  plates crack on all Wheel Horse tractors if the tractors are used for jerking or pushing heavy objects.    Like jerking stumps or ramming into solid snow banks with a plow.

The transaxle stops and the other 450 lbs of tractor keeps moving causing the damage to the transmission bolting plate.

[Wheelhorse3128 7]

Haven't had it fall off just wondering if anyone had had it fall off so it must be a common problem?

 

[Wheelhorse3128 7]

Is there any way of strengthening them?

[ri702bill 13,147]

Yes - WH USED TO sell a repair kit that needed to be welded in. It is now NLA.

Several of us on the Forum, myself included, have fabricated our own repair plates and stiffening braces to stop the frame flexing for good...

PM me if interrested in more info.

Bill

[Ed Kennell 47,517]

414-8 unidrive F plate replacement - Restorations, Modifications, & Customizations - RedSquare Wheel Horse Forum

[Wheelhorse3128 7]

2 hours ago, ri702bill said:

Are you referring to the "F" plate on the frame?? All too common. 

This is the worst one I came across... Fixable but time consuming. 3 out of 4 crackedout - 2 connected together.

 

Yes that's it mine isn't as bad as that though

[rmaynard 17,609]

 Rather than sitting around worrying about it falling off, get some new 3/8-16 x 3/4" grade 8 bolts and lock washers, replace them one at a time and torque them to 33 ft. lbs., sit back and not worry for another 30 years 

[sqrlgtr 4,051]

Very common problem on the Wheel Horses but like already has been said very fixable. The worst one I had felt like you were riding and inch worm when the going got tough. The 520"s I have come reinforced from the factory and what should have been implemented from the beginning IMHO.

[ri702bill 13,147]

The tractor with the frame pictured acted like it articulated in the middle! And yes, I too have described it as moving like an inch worm...

Bob - I respectively disagree that just changing the bolts is a proper fix. The compromised frame plate is not the cause, it is the victim here. 

My Proprietary repair is a fabricated welded-in plate and a set of triangular braces to stop the twist and the fore-n-aft flexing... More than 10 years in use - zero problems.

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by ri702bill

[sqrlgtr 4,051]

17 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

The tractor with the frame pictured acted like it articulated in the middle! And yes, I too have described it as moving like an inch worm...

Bob - I respectively disagree that just changing the bolts is a proper fix. The compromised frame plate is not the cause, it is the victim here. 

My Proprietary repair is a fabricated welded-in plate and a set of triangular braces to stop the twist and the fore-n-aft flexing... More than 10 years in use - zero problems.

 

 

Be no more trouble there neighbor.