Loose Axles

[rusty6]

Seems to be a characteristic of the 40-50 series Cockshutts that the rear axle splines will get loose with use. I've replaced a few axles over the years for this reason. My dad had a big socket wrench made up at the blacksmith's years ago to tighten the nut on the end of the axle. It takes a good long bar extension sometimes to get the nut turned far enough to line up the holes for the cotter pin.
Yesterday I did it again on the 40.
 

[J. Schwiebert]

I read that and I though "huh"!. Around here 99% were row crop models for adjusting the wheel settings and no nut on the end.
 

[rusty6]

[Arland Kluewer]

I thought these axle/hub splines are not tapered, so the big nut on the end of the axle shaft did not tighten the splines.
 

[rusty6]

[J. Schwiebert]

I looked in my 40 gas parts book. Axles for hubs for adjusting the wheel tread were made in 2 different lengths and were available after SN 25000.
 

[Arland Kluewer]

Hi Rusty6, thanks for posting the picture. I have a 1954 50 s/n 2050, and did tighten the nut so the wheel/hub did not wobble on the axle shaft, but there was still "play" between the hub and axle shaft when you "rock" the wheel with the brakes locked tight. I could see the big nut turn slightly before the hub would move, or vice versa. Does the shaft splines wear down before the hub spline? I assume there is no availability on new axle shaft or hubs for the 40 and 50
 

[rusty6]

[Arland Kluewer]

Thanks for your response Rusty6, I am going to recheck it someday, becasuse I think I remember the wheel got so tight it would bind, so we backed off slightly to the next notch for the cotter pin set. (like on a trailer hub/wheel brg)This is my only tractor, but it is special to me as this was my Dad's tractor he bought new in 1955, and sold in 1963 at our farm auction when I was 13 years old. I bought it back in 2007 from the farmer who bought it at Dad's auction. It is still in original condition, and I use it to pull a trailer for rides with my children/grandchildren/friends and a few tractor drives with other collectors.
 

[Arlandk Kluewer]

Looking at your posted picture, (the battery), is this tractor a diesel, and still 6 volt? Do you have more Cockshutt tractors and any spare parts ?
Also, the picture of the axle/hub sure does look like very worn splines, curious to see what you find if you pull the hub off the other axle shaft.
 

[rusty6]

[rusty6]

[Arland Kluewer]

Nice picture of the 50 with the seeder drill. I have a picture from about 1959 or 1960 of my older brother on our 50 with a M-C green chopper and bunk feeder wagon (me and my sister hanging on the wagon), sure wish they had color photos back then! What size tire you have on the 50? We had 18.4-34 rice lug tires, and I remember getting stuck in the marsh, 3/4 turn and you were hung up! Are you a member of ICCI? Our local antique power club is hosting the National show in 2014 near Beaver Dam, WI. I live about 15 miles from the show grounds.
 

[Arland Kluewer]

Rusty6, do you have a good seat pan on the knoedler seat? I have another 50 that I am having restored and the seat pan had a barn door hinge welded on for the tilt pivot. My restoration friends stripped down to bare frame, and primered everything, and then stalled, doing lots of other projects, I have to get after them to put it back together and finish paint. been sitting there for 2 years now. I got new front and rear main seals they need to put in first.
 

[rusty6]