How bad is this?

[KLanders]

So, my new to me TO-20, started making a horrendous grinding sound from the drivers side back tire. At first it only lasted a couple seconds, after letting out the clutch. Then as I immediately started driving back to the barn it was constant. Very loud and absolutely metal on metal. To do a quick check I took off the tire on that side and removed the drum. But as I was doing this I realized that I could not spin the tire or the drum, out of gear, or in gear. With the drum off, the brake shoes don't move when stepping on the master pedal, or the left pedal, including lifting it up. and I still cannot spin the assembly. The brakes do not move at all, the pads are soaked with grease and the drum lining is bare metal and bright(no grease). Could the brake cause this sound? Why wont the wheel spin? I hope the answer isn't a broken axle, but I have no experience with this.
I was just driving it around, it has a loader on the front, and a 6 foot blade on the 3 point. Started about 10 minutes after driving it.
Any ideas on what to do? I have all the manuals, but don't know how to begin.

 

[Ericp351]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Next time-similar- BEST not to drive back! Now- sounds like axle turned as you say you drove it. Get it on a jack stand, wheel , drum, and shoes 100% removed. Clean. Grab axle end/ flange and shack for play check. see if she turns out of gear. You need to see if you trashed a brg. or just had brake bits jam it up. IF just brake bits- fix and read your books regarding the axle end play test. Involves #1, spin with both wheels up to see if spin counter direction or same. #2 "shake" to listen for any axle end "thump". Did she puke out a gal of oil? Is oil level OK?? Advise, and myself, or others, may provide insight.

 

[KLanders]

I got it up in the air, both wheels off. "Bad side" drum and brakes off. I don't get how the shoes are greasy but the drum lining clean...
I got that cleaned up. I put the lug nuts back on and used a board to get it to turn, now it will turn both ways. Turning the drivers side drum does not move the other side, same with turning the other side. They both are turning separate. The fluid is full, but it's brown and foamy. There does not seem to be any play in the shaft, but it does seem to be a little crunchy when first turning if that makes any sense. It turns hard, but I do not hear any noise when turning it. It did not puke any oil, but there is a ton of oil/grease in, on and around both sides drums.
Thank you very much!

 

[pomester]

I got it up in the air, both wheels off. "Bad side" drum and brakes off. I don't get how the shoes are greasy but the drum lining clean...
I got that cleaned up. I put the lug nuts back on and used a board to get it to turn, now it will turn both ways. Turning the drivers side drum does not move the other side, same with turning the other side. They both are turning separate. The fluid is full, but it's brown and foamy. There does not seem to be any play in the shaft, but it does seem to be a little crunchy when first turning if that makes any sense. It turns hard, but I do not hear any noise when turning it. It did not puke any oil, but there is a ton of oil/grease in, on and around both sides drums.
Thank you very much!

If the transmission is in neutral then turning the axle will turn the transmission rather than the other axle. Put it in gear and see what happens. There are seals on the axles to keep oil out of the brakes, obviously need replaced. The issue surely sounds like a axle bearing to me. Do you have a shop manual?
Here's a thread from a while back with good information: https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/threads/te20-axle-shims-and-gaskets.1476527/#post-9427685

Here's a video on the subject.

 

[ruschman]

If the transmission is in neutral then turning the axle will turn the transmission rather than the other axle. Put it in gear and see what happens. There are seals on the axles to keep oil out of the brakes, obviously need replaced. The issue surely sounds like a axle bearing to me. Do you have a shop manual?
Here's a thread from a while back with good information: https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/threads/te20-axle-shims-and-gaskets.1476527/#post-9427685

Here's a video on the subject.

I will second the Bundy Bear videos. Used them for hydraulics repair and they made what seemed hard,
doable.

 

[Ericp351]

Sounds like cause of you issue was/is brake part fouled in drum. Looking fwd.-Post brake fix--- #1 complete "axle end clearance" test. #2 trans fluid suspect, budget for 7 gal when you change. #3 axle seal bad. Very common on these "hobby age" tractors. Can run for years , if you top off oil, and can suffer oil on/near brakes. Not perfect, but I say you are probably lucky on the brgs. 'till proven otherwise.

 

[KLanders]

Thanks for the link and video!
Edit: the wheels turn in opposite directions.
Update: I pulled the axle, there is no grease on the bearing, and isn't there supposed to be a seal in the end of the transmission housing?.

 

[pomester]

Thanks for the link and video!
Edit: the wheels turn in opposite directions.
Update: I pulled the axle, there is no grease on the bearing, and isn't there supposed to be a seal in the end of the transmission housing?.

The seal at the end of the transmission housing was a change, early did not have it.

 

[KLanders]

I finally got the time to repack the bearings, both sides, change the brake shoes and get it back together. So far no metal on metal sounds. It now has brakes, but just barely. I guess I will have to add repack bearings to the maintenance list. Thank you all very much for your responses. They were ALL very helpful.